Quick Answer: To get home insurance in Quebec, gather your property details, compare quotes and complete the application honestly. Confirm the insurer’s acceptance, agreed coverage, and exact start date and time. Review your documents, provide any proof your lender requires, and arrange payment according to the insurer’s instructions.
Getting home insurance takes more than a price quote, and timing matters if you already have a notary date booked. As an independent insurance broker in Montreal, we help clients through each step, and most delays come from the same few things: a missing roof date, an unclear answer about the wiring or a lender waiting for proof of insurance. Below, we walk you through the seven steps, from the details you will need to the day your coverage starts.
The 7 Steps to Get Home Insurance at a Glance
| Step | What you do | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gather your details | Collect personal, property and claims information | A faster, more accurate quote |
| 2. Request a quote | Contact a licensed broker, agent or insurer | A price and the coverage offered |
| 3. Fill out the application | Answer the insurer's questions fully and honestly | A complete application |
| 4. Wait for the insurer's decision | The insurer reviews your home and your answers | Approval, more questions, new terms or a refusal |
| 5. Confirm your coverage | Get the start date in writing | Coverage from the agreed date |
| 6. Get your documents |
Step 1: Gather Your Personal and Property Details
Before requesting a home insurance quote, prepare the information an insurer is likely to ask for. You may not need every document at the quoting stage, but having the details available can reduce delays.
Personal Information
Have these details ready:
- Full name and date of birth of each person to be named on the policy
- Phone number and email address
- Address of the home you want to insure
- The date you want your coverage to start
- Whether you're a homeowner, condo owner, tenant or landlord
If you’re buying a home, keep your notary and possession dates handy. Ask your broker, lender and notary when coverage needs to begin, especially if you take possession before signing.
Property Information
For a house, insurers usually ask about its type, age, condition and use:
| Detail | What to have ready |
|---|---|
| Property type | Detached, semi-detached, duplex, triplex or other |
| Year built | The year the home was built; tell your broker if you are unsure. |
| Size and build | Number of storeys, outside walls and whether the basement is finished |
| Roof | Roofing material and the year it was last replaced |
| Electrical | Panel size, type of wiring and any recent upgrades |
| Plumbing | Type of pipes, last update and age of the water heater |
These details also affect your price. See what affects home insurance costs in Quebec to learn more.
You may not know every answer, especially for an older Montreal home. If you're unsure when the wiring or plumbing was last updated, tell your broker instead of guessing. A wrong answer can cause problems later.
Past Insurance and Claims
Be ready to explain your previous insurance history. An insurer may ask about:
- Past claims for fire, theft, water damage or other losses
- Any policy that was cancelled
- Any time an insurer refused to insure you
- Any period when you had no home insurance
Documents That Can Help
Depending on your home and the insurer, these records can be useful:
- Your current or last home insurance policy
- Your offer to purchase or other purchase documents
- A home inspection report
- Invoices for roof, plumbing, heating or electrical work
- For a condo insurance, the declaration of co-ownership and the description of the standard unit from the syndicate
- A list of your belongings and their value
- Your mortgage lender's name and address
Not everyone needs all of these. Your broker will tell you what your insurer asks for.
Step 2: Request a Home Insurance Quote
Once you have your details ready, request quotes from licensed insurance providers. In Quebec, you can purchase home insurance directly from an insurance company, through an agent representing an insurer, or through a damage insurance broker who works with multiple insurers.
Broker or Agent: What's the Difference?
An agent offers the products of the one insurer they work for. A broker works with several insurers. For personal home insurance on a primary residence, a broker must be able to obtain quotes from at least three insurers registered with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) that do not belong to the same financial group. This does not guarantee three offers for every application. Both must be licensed in Quebec. To learn which route fits you, read our guide to home insurance brokers vs. direct providers in Quebec.
Check That Your Broker Is Licensed
Before you share your details, make sure the person or firm is allowed to sell home insurance in Quebec. You can look them up for free in the AMF Register of firms and individuals authorized to practice. Our list of red flags to watch for in an insurance broker covers other warning signs.
How to Get a Quote From Qubit Insurance
You can request a quote on our home insurance in Montreal page, or call us at +1 450 234 2120. You can also reach us by text, WhatsApp or email. We serve clients in English, French, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.
Tell us about your home and how you use it. You don't need to know insurance terms. We'll ask the right questions and send your details to the insurers we work with.
What Happens After You Ask for a Quote?
The insurer or broker reviews your details. Simple requests can get a quote quickly. Others need more questions, for example about an older roof, a past water damage claim or a recent renovation.
A quote is not insurance. It is a price based on what you have shared so far. You are covered only after the insurer accepts your application and confirms a start date.
Step 3: Complete the Home Insurance Application
When you're happy with a quote, the next step is the application. It records the information the insurer uses to decide whether to insure your home and on what terms. You may complete it online, over the phone or on forms your broker sends you.
What the Insurer Will Ask
The insurer may confirm your earlier answers and ask about:
- Who owns the home and who lives there
- How you use the home
- Your past insurance and claims
- The roof, wiring, plumbing and heating, and any renovations
- Any rental, including short-term rentals like Airbnb
- Any business you run from home
Tell the Insurer Everything That Matters
Under the Civil Code of Quebec, you must disclose known circumstances likely to materially influence the insurer’s premium, assessment of the risk or decision to accept it. Omitting material information can affect a claim and may make it harder to obtain insurance in the future. If you are unsure whether something matters, ask your broker before submitting the application.
For example, if you rent out a unit in your duplex, tell the insurer how that unit is occupied. A standard owner-occupied policy may not be appropriate for a property that is partly rented. Review landlord insurance in Montreal to understand the options for rental properties.
A cottage or another property used as a second residence may also need a different policy. See Qubit's information about second-home insurance in Quebec.
Will the Insurer Check Your Credit?
Some insurers may request access to your credit report as part of their assessment. They must obtain your consent before collecting and using your credit information. Ask why the information is required and how it will be used before deciding whether to provide consent.
Step 4: Wait for the Insurer's Decision
After receiving your application, the insurer assesses whether it can offer coverage and on what terms. This process is known as underwriting.
What Can the Insurer Decide?
The insurer may:
- It accepts your application on the terms offered.
- It asks for more information, such as documents, photos or an inspection.
- It offers different terms, such as a higher deductible or a repair you must make first.
- It refuses your application.
This is why your first quote isn't always the final offer.
How Long Does Home Insurance Approval Take?
Timing varies by insurer and application. A simple application with complete answers can be approved quickly. An older home, past claims or missing details can take longer.
If you're buying a home, start as soon as your offer to purchase is accepted. Tell us your notary and possession dates when you first contact us, so we can work towards arranging coverage for when you need it.
Step 5: Confirm Your Coverage and Start Date
Once the insurer agrees to cover you, your insurance is confirmed. Your broker may call this "binding" your coverage.
What to Confirm in Writing
Ask your broker or insurer to confirm:
- The name of the insurance company
- The correct address of the insured home
- The exact date and time your coverage starts
- Any condition you still need to meet
- When you'll receive your proof of insurance
Don't assume you're insured because you filled out a form, accepted an online price or received a payment link. Wait for written confirmation.
Step 6: Review Your Policy and Proof of Insurance
After your coverage is confirmed, the insurer sends your documents. Some arrive first, and the full policy may follow later by email, mail or an online account.
Documents You May Receive
| Document | What it does |
|---|---|
| Confirmation of insurance (binder) | Confirms your coverage, start date and any conditions until the full policy arrives |
| Declarations page | Lists the insured people, the address, the policy period, limits and deductibles |
| Policy wording | Sets out the full terms of your contract |
| Endorsements | Show any coverage added to or changed in your policy |
| Payment schedule | Shows how much you pay and when |
Check the Details Right Away
When your documents arrive, check the names, address, start date, coverage and deductibles. If something is wrong, contact your broker or insurer right away.
Proof of Insurance for Your Mortgage Lender
If you have a mortgage, your lender will usually want proof of home insurance before your loan is paid out. Your notary may ask you for it before you sign. The lender may also need to be named on the policy, so give your broker the lender's exact name and address early.
Step 7: Arrange Your First Payment
Follow the insurer’s payment instructions when arranging coverage. Payment may be required earlier in the process; do not wait until this seventh step if the insurer requires it sooner. Depending on the insurer, you may be able to pay annually or through instalments. Some payment plans may include fees.
Your coverage start date and first payment date may differ. Confirm both, and do not assume that a payment receipt alone proves that every part of the policy is active.
What If You Miss a Payment?
Don't let a payment slip. If you don't pay on time, your insurer may cancel your policy, following the notice rules in your contract and Quebec law. Once the cancellation takes effect, you'd have no coverage, and getting insured again may be harder and cost more.
To avoid this:
- Note the date of your first payment.
- Check that your bank account or card details are correct.
- Keep proof of every payment.
- Call your broker the same day if a payment fails.
How the Process Differs for Houses, Condos and Rental Properties
The seven steps are the same for everyone, but what you need to share depends on how you live in the home.
Buying a House
Expect the most questions about the building, such as the roof, wiring, plumbing and heating. Older homes and recent renovations may need extra proof. If you have a mortgage, give yourself enough time to get proof of insurance to your lender and notary.
Buying a Condo
In Quebec, the syndicate of co-owners insures the building and common portions under its policy. Your individual condo policy addresses your personal belongings, civil liability and improvements to your unit, subject to the applicable contracts and legal requirements.
Renting an Apartment
Tenant insurance is usually the simplest to set up because you're not insuring the building. You'll mostly share your details, your address and the value of your belongings. Many Montreal landlords ask for proof of tenant insurance before they hand over the keys, so arrange it before moving day. See our tenant insurance in Montreal options.
What If Your Application Is Refused?
An insurer is not legally required to insure every property. An application may be declined because of the building's condition, previous claims, a lapse in insurance, payment history or the way the property is used.
If your application is refused, ask why. The insurer may identify a repair, missing document or other issue that could affect future applications. A broker can also approach other insurers to see whether they will consider the property.
At Qubit, we also help with harder-to-place homes. The options available depend on the property, the insurer's eligibility criteria and the information in your application.
Where to Get Help If You Can't Find Home Insurance
The Insurance Bureau of Canada's Insurance Information Centre operates an access-to-home-insurance service for eligible Quebec consumers who are having difficulty obtaining coverage.
Before using the service, you must contact an agent to check whether you qualify. If eligible, you will generally need to contact at least five direct insurers or brokers and complete the required Home Insurance Availability Form.
You can reach the centre at 514-288-4321 in the Montreal area or 1-877-288-4321 elsewhere in Quebec.
How Qubit Insurance Helps You Get Home Insurance
At Qubit Insurance, every broker is licensed by the AMF. We aren't owned by any insurance company, and we work with more than 20 insurers to find coverage that fits your home. Insurers pay us a commission, so our help costs you nothing extra.
We help you:
- Gather the right details for your application
- Get quotes from the insurers we work with
- Answer extra questions from an insurer
- Get your policy and proof of insurance to your lender and notary
- Understand your payment plan
Our help doesn't stop once your policy starts. If something happens to your home, our claims support team helps you deal with your insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I get home insurance online in Quebec?
Yes, you can apply online through an insurance firm authorized to offer home insurance in Quebec. You may also contact a broker or agent by phone or in person. Answer the application questions carefully and review the terms before accepting the policy.
2. Is home insurance mandatory in Quebec?
No law requires most homeowners or tenants to have home insurance. However, many mortgage lenders require it, and condo co-owners must carry civil liability insurance by law.
3. Do I need a home inspection to get insurance?
Not always, and it depends on the insurer and your home. For older homes, or homes with past problems, the insurer may ask for an inspection report, photos or invoices for recent work.
4. Can I get home insurance after a claim, cancellation or refusal?
Often, yes past claims or a cancelled policy can limit your choices and raise your price, but they don't mean every insurer will say no. Tell the insurer about them honestly, and let a broker take your file to several insurers.
5. Does Qubit Insurance help homeowners outside Montreal?
Yes, besides the island of Montreal, we serve clients on the North Shore, including Laval, Blainville, Terrebonne and Saint-Jérôme, and on the South Shore, including Longueuil, Brossard, Boucherville and Châteauguay. If your home is elsewhere in Quebec, we can likely help too.
Ready to Get Home Insurance?
Getting home insurance in Quebec comes down to seven clear steps: gather your details, get a quote, apply, wait for the decision, confirm your start date, check your documents and make your first payment. The most important step is getting your start date in writing, so you know exactly when you're covered.
Buying a home, moving into a condo or renting a new apartment? Contact Qubit Insurance for your home insurance quote. We'll guide you through every step, from your first question to your first payment.
