Condo insurance
Insure your condo and belongings against the most common types of losses, such as fire, theft and water damage. Get a quote and, if you're eligible, buy your insurance online.
With a local Desjardins Agent
For personalized advice and coverage tailored to your needs, work with a Desjardins Agent.
The 2 types of condo insurance you should know about
As a condo owner, you need your own insurance to help protect all the things that your condo syndicate's policy doesn't.
Your condo syndicate's insurance
This insurance covers, among other things:
- The building's common areas (for example, lobby, elevators, terrace)
- Each condo owner's original unit
Your condo owner's insurance
This insurance covers, among other things:
- Your liability in case you accidentally injure someone or damage their property
- The contents of your condo, meaning your furniture and belongings
- Improvements made to your condo unit's original installations
Which insurance covers repairs to the building after a loss?
Changes to the Civil Code of Quebec (Bill 141)
The condo syndicate's insurance is responsible for repairing damage to the building, including damage to individual units. However, this insurance doesn't cover any damage to improvements you've made to your original condo unit.
In December 2018, this requirement was clarified by Bill 141, which amended the Civil Code of Quebec.
Who has to pay for amounts not covered by the syndicate's insurance
Here are some costs that may not be covered by the syndicate's insurance:
- The syndicate's deductible
- The cost of repairs that exceed the insurance coverage
- Losses not covered by the syndicate's insurance (for example, sewer back-up or floods)
The syndicate could distribute the cost of these amounts among all condo owners. If the loss is covered by your condo insurance, the damage could be covered up to the amount specified in your policy, except for the syndicate's deductible.
How to choose condo insurance coverage
Assess the value of your belongings
Take stock of what's in your condo and calculate how much it would cost to replace everything. Keep pictures and receipts of each item somewhere safe from any potential damage or loss.
To get started, use the Insurance Bureau of Canada's Personal Property Inventory External link. Opens in a new tab. form.
See if you need optional coverage
Do you live at ground level? Do you have a storage locker? Do you have valuable belongings, such as a bike or jewellery? These types of questions will help you determine whether you need optional coverage.
Find out what is and isn't covered by your condo syndicate's insurance, for example in the event of a flood or an earthquake. With our optional coverages, you can supplement your condo insurance to meet your specific needs.
Contact us if you need help in choosing your coverage. We'll help you evaluate your insurance needs, based on your situation.
What's covered by our condo owner's insurance
All-risk insurance covers your belongings and improvements made to your condo unit. It also provides liability coverage for any injury or property damage you may unintentionally cause to another person who does not live with you.
With our optional coverages, you can supplement your condo insurance to meet your specific needs.
Select a coverage type to see more or scroll down to see them all.
Included coverages
Liability
This insurance covers you for unintentional bodily injury or property damage that you cause to a person who doesn't live with you, anywhere in the world.
It also covers family members who live with you.
Examples
Liability insurance covers claims against you for incidents like these.
- Your washing machine leaks onto your floor, which damages the condo below
- Your dog bites a passerby and injures them
What coverage amount to get
- Mandatory for condos in a building of less than 13 units: $1 million
- Mandatory for condos in a building of 13 units or more: $2 million
- Maximum: 5 M$
Contact us to to find out what amount is best for you.
Fire, theft and vandalism
This insurance covers your belongings and improvements made to your condo unit against damage caused by fire, smoke, theft and vandalism.
Example
If you lose your furniture and clothes due to a fire, or if your condo is burglarized while you're on vacation, we cover the cost of replacing your belongings.
If you have to temporarily relocate during repairs
If you have to make alternative living arrangements during repairs, your additional living expenses, like hotel costs, are also covered.
Accidental water damage
Your basic policy can cover some accidental events, as long as they're sudden and don't happen repeatedly, such as:
- Damage caused by the breakage of your washing machine hose
- Damage caused by your water heater, as long as it wasn't excluded from your insurance policy because it was too old
If the pipe under your sink suddenly breaks and causes damage to the furniture and belongings in your condo, it's covered up to the amount in your policy.
Tornadoes, lightning, freezing rain, hail and wind
Your belongings and improvements made to your condo are covered in case of damage caused by tornadoes, lightning, freezing rain, hail and wind.
Example
During a windstorm, a branch smashes through a window and damages your TV. We cover the cost of repairing or replacing the TV.
Fire, smoke or explosion after an earthquake
Endorsement 22b
This coverage protects against damage caused by fires, smoke or explosions caused by an earthquake or other ground movements that may occur after, such as avalanches, landslides or subsidence.
Examples
If an earthquake damages your condo's electrical system and causes a fire, we cover the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged furniture and belongings.
Furniture and belongings
This insurance covers your belongings and furniture up to the amount specified in your policy.
Examples
Your bookcase wasn't installed correctly, and it comes crashing down onto your TV and speakers. Your insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing these items.
If you have valuable items
There may be limits on the amounts you can claim for certain items, such as jewellery, bikes and works of art. Ask about the limits specific to your policy and, if need be, get additional coverage for the full value of these items.
Building and condo improvements
This insurance covers damage to:
- Improvements made to your condo, like new kitchen cabinets
- Materials purchased to improve your condo, like new hardwood flooring that hasn't been installed yet
- Outdoor installations that belong to you, like an awning on a balcony, located on the insured premises or in common areas
Examples
The carport you set up every winter in your parking spot is vandalized. We cover the cost of repairing or replacing it.
Optional coverages
Ground water and sewer backup
Endorsement 16c
This coverage offers protection against sudden and accidental damage caused by:
- Water leaks, overflows or backups from places like sewers and septic tanks
- Water coming from, for example, the subsoil drainage pipe and seeping through basement windows, doors or floors
Example
A sewer backup damages belongings in your condo or storage locker. We cover the replacement, repair or cleanup costs, up to the amount specified in your policy.
Flood
Endorsement 16d
This insurance covers sudden and accidental loss or damage caused by flooding, meaning the rising or overflow of a body or stream of water, if the water reaches the surface of the ground of the insured premises.
Example
If you have to vacate the building due to a flood, we cover your additional living expenses, like hotel costs during your temporary relocation, up to the amount indicated in your policy.
Rain, snow or sleet
Endorsement 42
This insurance covers sudden and accidental damage caused by above ground water.
These events occur when:
- Rain or snow seeps through walls, roofs, doors or windows
- Water leaks, backs up or overflows from gutters or downspouts
- The weight of ice, snow or wet snow is too heavy for your building, causing cracks in the roof
Example
Ice has built up on your building's roof edge. Water has accumulated behind these buildups and seeped in through the window, damaging your personal property. We cover the damage to your belongings, up to the amount indicated in your policy.
Earthquake
Endorsement 22a
This insurance covers damage caused by:
- Earthquakes
- Other ground movements that might be caused by an earthquake, like avalanches, landslides or subsidence
Example
Your kitchen ceiling collapses following an earthquake. We cover the cost of repairing or replacing your belongings and improvements made to your condo.
Tips to prevent earthquake damage
- Install clasps on cabinet doors to ensure they remain closed
- Secure heavy and expensive electronic devices to prevent them from tipping over
Home-based businesses and short-term rentals
This insurance covers certain commercial or professional activities taking place at your home, such as those of a small home-based business, a self-employed worker, or the short-term rental of your condo, as long as they're mentioned on your policy's Coverage Summary.
Example
If you rent out your condo on a short-term rental platform, we cover damage to your belongings and improvements made to your condo within the terms of your policy.
Exclusions
Did you know?
Generally speaking, insurance companies don't cover any of the following situations.
Repeated water seepage or leaks
Damage caused by repeated or continuous water seepage or leaks isn't covered.
Example
The pipe under your kitchen sink has been leaking for a few weeks and you've neglected to have it repaired. We don't cover the damage to your belongings or to the improvements made to your condo.
Landslides, subsidence and other events
Damage caused by avalanches, landslides, subsidence or soil erosion isn't covered unless those events were caused by an earthquake and you have Earthquake coverage (Endorsement 22a).
Damage caused by tidal waves or tsunamis is never covered.
Defects, deterioration, and wear and tear
Defects, wear and tear, and gradual deterioration aren't covered by your insurance policy.
Example
Your 10-year-old refrigerator stops working. The cost of repair or replacement isn't covered.
Damage caused by certain insects and animals
Damage caused by vermin, insects, birds, rodents, raccoons or bats isn't covered.
Example
Mice get into your condo and damage your furniture. We don't cover its repair or replacement.
Buy your condo insurance online
Get an online quote and, if you're eligible, buy your condo insurance without having to call us.
With a Desjardins Agent
For personalized advice or help getting a quote, contact one of our local Desjardins Agents.
How to save on your home insurance
One way to lower your insurance price is to take advantage of our discounts and savings.
Contact us
Client Relations Centre
Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 8 PM
Saturday: 8 AM to 4 PM
1-888-277-8726 This link will launch your default phone software.