Quick Answer: Home insurance in Quebec may exclude river flooding, earthquake damage, sewer backups, gradual leaks, poor maintenance and certain high-value belongings. Some risks can be covered through optional add-ons, while others may remain excluded. Coverage depends on your insurer, policy wording, deductibles and limits. Review your contract before assuming a loss is covered.
At Qubit Insurance, our licensed brokers help homeowners understand their policies and compare available coverage. If you are reviewing your protection, our guide to home insurance in Montreal explains the types of coverage you can discuss with a broker.
Many homeowners only discover a coverage gap when they need to make a claim. Water in the basement, earthquake damage or a stolen watch worth more than the policy limit can leave you paying part of the bill yourself.
Home Insurance Exclusions in Quebec at a Glance
| Risk | Covered by a standard policy? | Can you add coverage? |
|---|---|---|
| Flooding from a river or lake | No | Sometimes, but usually not in flood-prone areas |
| Sewer backup | No | Yes, with a groundwater and sewer add-on |
| Rain or melting snow leaking through the roof, walls or windows | No | Yes, with an above-ground water add-on |
| Earthquake (direct damage) | No | Yes, with an earthquake add-on |
| Landslides | Usually no | Not always available |
| Wear and tear, slow damage or poor upkeep | No |
This table shows common patterns, not a promise of coverage. Your policy wording always decides what is covered. Contact a trusted broker today to learn more.
What Is a Home Insurance Exclusion?
An exclusion is a part of your policy that says what the insurer will not pay for: a cause of damage (like an earthquake), a type of property (like an outdoor pool), or a situation (like an empty house in winter).
Three terms get mixed up.
An exclusion means no cover for that risk at all. A limit means cover only up to a set amount, for example a $1,000 cap on stolen jewellery. An endorsement is an add-on that covers a risk the policy would otherwise leave out, for example sewer backup coverage.
If you are buying your first policy, our guide to how much home insurance you need in Quebec explains limits and dwelling coverage in plain terms.
Basic vs. All-Risk Home Insurance
Quebec policies usually follow one of two models. Basic (named-perils) insurance covers only the risks listed in your contract, such as fire, theft and certain types of water damage. All-risk (comprehensive) insurance covers every risk except the ones your contract excludes. The name 'all-risk' can mislead: both models can exclude or limit coverage, and floods, ground movement and slow damage are often left out of even the broadest policies.
When you compare home insurance options in Quebec, check which model each policy uses before you compare prices, and confirm your dwelling limit reflects rebuilding cost, not market value.
1. River and Lake Flooding Is Not Covered by a Basic Policy
Basic home insurance doesn't cover damage when a river, lake or other waterway overflows and water enters your home. This is different from a burst pipe or an overflowing bathtub inside the house, which a basic policy usually covers.
Imagine spring flooding pushes a nearby river over its banks and water fills your basement. Without flood coverage, your policy won't pay to repair the floors, walls or furniture.
Can You Add Flood Coverage in Quebec?
Some insurers offer optional coverage for overflow from a river, lake or another body of water. Availability depends on the insurer and the property's flood exposure. Insurers may not offer this protection for homes in high-risk flood areas.
Before buying or renewing your policy:
- Ask your municipality whether your property is in a recognised flood-risk area.
- Ask your insurer which water-related endorsements are available for your address.
- Check the coverage limit, deductible and exclusions.
- Confirm whether the policy covers the belongings stored in your basement.
Keep in mind: River flooding and sewer backup are separate risks. A sewer backup add-on doesn't cover river flooding unless your policy clearly says so.
2. Sewer Backups and Water Damage Need Extra Coverage
Water damage is the most common cause of home insurance claims, yet insurers do not treat every water loss the same way. When water shows up in your home, the first question is where it came from, and the answer decides whether you are covered. Sudden plumbing failures inside the home are usually covered. Water from outside or below usually needs an add-on.
| What happened | How it's usually treated |
|---|---|
| A dishwasher supply pipe suddenly breaks | Usually covered |
| A bathtub overflows by accident | Usually covered |
| A city water main breaks | Usually covered |
| Sewage backs up through a basement drain | Needs a groundwater and sewer add-on |
| Groundwater seeps in through the foundation | Needs a groundwater and sewer add-on |
| Rain leaks in through the roof, a wall or a window | Needs an above-ground water add-on |
These are typical outcomes only. Before deciding, your insurer will look at what actually caused the damage.
Types of Water Damage Add-Ons
Quebec insurers usually offer three main water add-ons:
- Above-ground water: Rain, snow or melting snow that gets in through the roof, walls, doors or windows, or water that overflows from gutters, downspouts or roof drains.
- Groundwater and sewer: Backups from drains and sewer pipes, and ground or surface water that leaks into the building.
- Groundwater, sewer and overflow of a body of water: Everything in the groundwater and sewer add-on, plus water from a river or lake that rises or overflows, where the insurer offers it.
If your basement is finished or holds furniture and electronics, check that your water coverage is high enough for what you keep down there.
3. Earthquake Damage Needs Separate Coverage
A basic home insurance policy generally does not cover damage caused directly by earthquake shaking. This can include certain damage to foundations, walls and other parts of the building.
Can You Buy Earthquake Insurance?
Yes. Most insurers offer an earthquake add-on. Before you buy, look closely at the deductible. Earthquake deductibles are usually a percentage of your coverage limit, and they can range from 5% to 20%.
What About a Fire Caused by an Earthquake?
This point surprises many people. Most home policies already cover fire, explosion or smoke damage caused by an earthquake, even without an earthquake add-on. We compare earthquake add-ons from the insurers we work with, so you can see how their deductibles and limits differ before you choose.
4. Landslides and Other Ground Movements May Be Excluded
Some home insurance policies exclude landslides and other forms of ground movement. Coverage varies by insurer and contract, and an optional endorsement may not be available for every risk.
Are Windstorms, Hail and Wildfires Covered?
Generally, yes. Most standard home policies cover damage caused by:
- Fire, including wildfires
- Windstorms
- Hail
- Lightning
Watch the limits, though. A policy may pay to fix a roof damaged by wind while limiting what it pays for fallen trees or garden plants.
Our advice: Don't assume all natural disasters are covered, or that all of them are excluded. Look at each risk on its own.
5. Wear and Tear, Slow Damage and Poor Maintenance Are Excluded
Home insurance pays for sudden accidents, not for normal upkeep. Insurers expect roof shingles to wear out over time, so your policy will not pay to replace them, and neither will it pay for moisture that built up over months, floors worn down by daily use, or old plumbing replaced just because it is outdated. An old pipe might suddenly burst and flood your kitchen, in which case your policy may pay for the water damage but not for the worn-out pipe itself.
Special limits and exclusions may still apply. If you discover a leak, address the source promptly and document the damage. Waiting can make the situation worse and may affect how the claim is assessed.
6. Outdoor Pools and Spas May Need Additional Coverage
A pool in your backyard isn't covered by a standard policy. You need to insure it separately with an add-on.
A pool and spa add-on usually covers:
- The outdoor pool or spa
- Its cleaning and water-quality equipment
- A deck or platform attached to the pool but not to your house
Coverage for the pool itself is not the same as coverage for damage the pool causes, such as water escaping onto a neighbour's property. Ask your insurer how your policy handles both.
7. Jewellery, Cash, Bikes and Art Have Coverage Limits
Your policy may cover valuable items, but not for their full value. Suppose a thief steals a watch worth $4,000, and your policy limits theft of jewellery and watches to $1,000. Even though theft is covered, you would pay the other $3,000 yourself, plus any deductible.
| Property | Example limit | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Cash, bank notes and gift cards | $200 | Any covered loss |
| Bicycles and accessories | $1,000 | Any covered loss |
| Personal property used for work | $2,000 | Any covered loss |
| Jewellery and watches | $1,000 | Theft only |
| Collections |
These amounts are examples for information only, not Qubit Insurance quotes. Your policy may have higher limits.
Can You Raise Coverage for Valuable Items?
Often, yes. You can usually raise a limit or list specific items on your policy. The insurer may ask for receipts, photos or a professional appraisal. Tell your insurer whenever you buy something valuable so your home coverage keeps up. Higher limits can change your premium, so it helps to know what affects home insurance costs in Quebec.
8. Home Businesses May Not Be Fully Covered
A personal home policy is built for your household, not for your business. Many policies cover property used for work only up to about $2,000, so a Montreal photographer's cameras, lights and computers could easily exceed it. A home policy also is not meant to cover claims about mistakes in your work or lost business income, and its liability cover usually does not extend to clients injured at your home.
Tell your insurer if you set up a home office or run a business from home. Explain what equipment you keep, whether clients visit and whether you store products. Your insurer can then tell you if your policy still fits or if you need business coverage, such as commercial property insurance for equipment and stock, or professional liability insurance for claims about your work.
9. Short-Term Rentals Can Leave You Without Coverage
Renting out your home through a platform like Airbnb changes how the property is used, and that changes the risk for your insurer. A home policy is made for your private life, not for paying guests. Every insurer has its own rules. Some accept a home being rented for a limited number of days a year. Others ask you to add coverage or switch to a policy made for rentals.
Before you list your home, talk to your insurer and check your city's and your condo's rules. Don't assume a rental platform's host protection replaces your own insurance. Our guide on whether home insurance covers a rental property or not explains the coverage you need for both short-term and long-term rentals.
10. Empty Homes and Long Winter Absences Can Have Conditions
Your home does not lose its coverage when you go on vacation, but insurers set conditions when a home is empty during winter or for a long time. In Quebec, frozen pipes are the risk to plan for: if you leave your Montreal home for two weeks in January and the pipes freeze and burst, your insurer will check whether you met your policy's winter conditions. During the heating season, insurers usually give you two options: have someone check your heating system every day, or shut off the water and drain the pipes and any appliances that could freeze.
A short holiday is also a different risk from a house nobody lives in: if you are moving out, selling, renovating or leaving a rental unit empty, tell your insurer, since you may need special conditions or a different policy. For cottages and other properties that sit empty for part of the year, see our second home insurance in Quebec options.
11. Damage You Cause on Purpose Is Not Covered
Home insurance protects you from accidents, not from damage you cause on purpose. An accidental kitchen fire is covered, but a fire you set yourself is not. Policies also generally exclude losses linked to certain criminal acts by the insured and damage to property obtained illegally. The exact wording matters, including who caused the loss, so ask your insurer to explain the exclusion instead of guessing the outcome.
Do These Exclusions Apply to Condo Owners and Tenants?
Yes, many of the same exclusions apply. However, condo owners and tenants are responsible for different parts of the coverage.
Condo Owners
In a Quebec condo building (a divided co-ownership), the syndicate of co-owners insures the building, the common areas and every standard unit. As a co-owner, you insure your own belongings, your civil liability and any improvements made to your unit.
Two points matter most:
- Civil liability: Quebec law sets minimum civil liability insurance requirements for co-owners. The applicable amount depends on the building and its circumstances.
- Special assessments: Your policy may cover certain assessments related to an insured loss, but the outcome depends on the coverage you hold and the cause of the damage.
Tenant Coverage
If you rent, your landlord's insurance covers the building, not your belongings. Tenant insurance protects your belongings and your civil liability, but it has the same kinds of exclusions and limits as a homeowner policy. Water damage add-ons and coverage for valuables still matter. Explore our tenant insurance in Montreal options to learn more.
How to Check What Your Home Insurance Doesn't Cover
Before you buy or renew, go through this checklist:
- Check whether your policy is basic (named-perils) or all-risk.
- Read the list of exclusions in your policy.
- Check whether you have sewer backup, groundwater and above-ground water add-ons.
- Ask whether flood and earthquake coverage are available for your home.
- Review the limits on jewellery, cash, bikes and other valuables.
- Confirm whether your pool, spa and outdoor structures are covered.
- Tell your insurer about a home business, rentals, major renovations or long absences.
- Review the winter conditions that apply when you're away.
- Ask about any exclusion you don't understand, and get important changes in writing.
What If Your Home Insurance Claim Is Denied?
If your insurer says a loss is not covered, ask for a written explanation that points to the exact policy wording. Under article 2470 of the Civil Code of Quebec, you must tell your insurer about any loss that may be covered as soon as you learn about it.
After a loss, limit further damage, document everything, keep invoices and receipts, and wait for approval before permanent repairs. Once a claim is accepted, the insurer must pay within 60 days of receiving your notice or the documents it asked for. If you disagree, use the insurer's complaint process, then ask to have your file transferred to the AMF.
How Qubit Insurance Helps You Close Coverage Gaps
At Qubit Insurance, every broker is licensed by the AMF. We are not owned by any insurance company, and we work with more than 20 insurers to help you compare options that fit your home. Insurers pay us a commission, so our advice costs you nothing extra. We also serve clients in English, French, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu.
When we review your policy, we help you find exclusions that could affect your home, understand your water add-ons, check the limits on your valuables, and plan for rentals, a home business or long absences.
Not sure whether to use a broker or buy directly from an insurer? Our guide to home insurance brokers vs. direct providers in Quebec explains the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About Home Insurance Exclusions in Quebec
1. Does all-risk home insurance cover everything?
No, all-risk covers every risk except the ones your contract excludes. Even broad policies usually leave out river flooding and earthquakes, and set limits on jewellery and cash.
2. Is basement flooding covered by home insurance in Montreal?
It depends on where the water came from. A burst pipe inside your home is usually covered. Sewer backup and groundwater need a groundwater and sewer add-on, while river flooding needs a separate flood add-on, where available.
3. Does home insurance cover mould from a water leak?
Usually not, if the mould comes from a slow leak, ongoing moisture or poor upkeep. If it follows a sudden water loss that your policy covers, the insurer may look at it differently, but mould limits often apply.
4. Does home insurance cover earthquakes in Quebec?
Not under a basic policy. You can usually buy an earthquake add-on, but check the deductible, which can range from 5% to 20% of the coverage limit. Fire caused by an earthquake is usually covered already.
5. Are stolen jewellery and watches fully covered?
Not always. Many policies limit theft of jewellery and watches to around $1,000. If your items are worth more, ask about raising the limit or listing them on your policy.
6. Will my insurance cover frozen pipes while I'm away in winter?
Coverage may depend on whether you followed the policy's winter absence conditions. Your insurer may require regular heating checks or that you shut off and drain the water system. Confirm the exact requirements before leaving.
Understand Your Coverage Before You Need It
Home insurance in Quebec does not cover every possible loss. Water damage, flooding, earthquakes, gradual deterioration, valuable belongings and changes in how you use your home can all create coverage gaps.
Not sure what your policy leaves out? Talk to Qubit Insurance about home insurance in Montreal. We'll go through your exclusions, limits and add-ons with you, so you can choose your coverage with confidence.
