Floods: What your home insurance covers

Are you protected in the event of a flood?

Yes, provided you have additional coverage for water damage.

If you consider your home to be at risk, you can add a flood protection option to your home insurance policy. However, not all insurers offer this. Speak with your insurance agent or broker.

Are you eligible for public financial assistance in the event of a flood?

If a flood occurs, you may be entitled to financial assistance through a public compensation program. Administered by local or provincial authorities, it supports victims (homeowners or tenants) by covering a portion of the material damage sustained.

This assistance is generally available when private home insurance is insufficient or excludes certain water damage. To benefit from it, you will need to:

• Demonstrate a clear causal link between the flood and your losses.
• Submit an official claim within a specific timeframe.

Evacuation order and state of emergency: Am I entitled to living expenses?

An evacuation order (and not a state of emergency!) may entitle you to reimbursement of living expenses (accommodation, food, and transportation) depending on the terms of your insurance policy. Please note:

• Carefully review the eligible period and the maximum reimbursement amount outlined in your policy.
• File your claim with your insurer as quickly as possible.

Waterways: A common exclusion in home insurance

Most residential insurance policies cover damage caused by natural disasters, such as tornadoes, hail, or lightning. However, they do not cover flooding caused by the overflow of a river or body of water, unless you have added an endorsement.

Unfortunately, many policyholders are convinced that their /advices/insuring-a-property/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-your-home-insurancehome insurance policy automatically includes flood coverage. This is rarely the case. Why? Because governments map flood zones, and this type of claim is considered foreseeable.

In the event of a claim, you will need to turn to government assistance programs.

Tip: If you are considering buying a home near a waterway, consult Quebec’s flood zone map. A quick look can make all the difference when it comes to risk management!

How to effectively protect your home against flooding

• Review your insurance policy: Make sure you are protected against sewer backups, water infiltration, and flooding. If not, check with your insurer to find out whether flood coverage is available in your area. Otherwise, compare with other insurance companies to explore available options and costs.
• Install preventive measures: Backwater valve, sump pump, connected alert system, foundation crack sealing and waterproofing, etc.
• Inspect your property: French drain, negative soil grading.
• Assess the value of your belongings: Take inventory of your possessions to know your insured value and avoid unpleasant surprises. Take photos!
• Move valuables to an upper floor: Photo albums stored in the basement could be damaged if water levels rise.
• Inspect your home every spring: An annual checkup could save you a great deal of trouble.

When it comes to flooding, it’s better to be prepared! Take a few minutes to review your insurance coverage and reduce the risk of water damage. Your peace of mind depends on it.