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After a home claim: how much do I really receive? Simulator 2026
After water damage, fire or theft, the amount your insurer pays you is almost never equal to the cost of the damage. Between deductible, depreciation, sub-limits, exclusions and additional fee limits, the difference can be as much as 40% or more. This free simulator from Assur360 gives you a realistic estimate before you even talk to your claims specialist, with tooltips to explain each coverage.
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Important notice — this is an estimated simulation
Every insurance policy and every claim is unique. The amounts calculated here are an approximation based on average practices in the Quebec market — only your insurer and claims specialist can determine the exact amount you will receive. Limits, deductibles, ceilings and rules vary from one contract to another. Assur360 is not responsible for any decisions made on the basis of this simulation. Always consult your policy and broker for the details of your contract.
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🏠 How much will I really receive after a claim?
Net indemnity simulator for home insurance — Quebec 2026
1Type and extent of the claim
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2Deductible
$500
$1,000
$2,500
$5,000
Other
Special deductible (sewage backup, earthquake, ground water) — typically $1,000 to $5,000 more.
3Replacement value or depreciated value?
✓ Replacement value (replacement)
Depreciated value
The replacement value is the standard endorsement in Quebec for content. Without this endorsement, the insurer applies depreciation based on age and wear.
4Property with sub-limits
Indicate the claimed value by category. Each policy imposes a maximum limit for these items (indicative values — check your contract).
Tools / professional equipment
Typical limit: $2,500
Limit $2,500
Titles, documents, gift cards
Typical limit: $2,000
Limit $2,000
Wines, spirits, cigars
Typical limit: $2,500
Limit $2,500
Amounts claimed in these categories are already accounted for in the content damage above; the tool treats them separately to apply the correct limit.
5Additional expenses
Hotel / substitute rent during repairs
Extra cost compared to your normal expenses
Generally covered at 5% of building coverage
Work required by 2026 regulations
Typical limit: $500 per tree, 5% of building coverage
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aria-label=”Info”>?Locksmith after theft, temporary protection (tarping), storage fees, notary for proof of death in case of fatal loss. Each policy varies.Locksmith, temporary protection, etc.
6Proportional rule (advanced)
ℹ Good to know: In modern Quebec residential insurance, the proportional rule is generally NOT applied — the forms from the IBC have removed it and the replacement cost guarantee disables it. Furthermore, most insurers do not apply the clause for claims under $5,000 to $10,000, even when it is included in the contract. Only check the box below if your contract explicitly contains a co-insurance clause or if you are in a condominium/business.
My contract explicitly contains a proportional rule clause (co-insurance) — typically condominium, multi-unit rental housing, heritage building.
Cost to rebuild new in 2026 (not the market value)
The “C building” listed in your policy
Do not apply the proportional rule if total damage < $5,000 (common practice among insurers).
7Possible exclusions or limitations
Check the situations that apply — they may cancel or reduce coverage if the endorsement is not purchased.
Sewer backup without endorsement
Groundwater or basement infiltration without endorsement
Earthquake without endorsement
Flooding from overflow of a watercourse
Vacant housing > 30 days before the loss
Wear and tear, hidden defect or lack of maintenance
Your estimated net compensation
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⚠ Estimate for informational purposes only. These figures are calculated based on averages from the Quebec market and do not take into account the specifics of your policy, your claims history, or the assessment of the claims specialist. Assur360 disclaims any responsibility for decisions made based on this simulation. Always consult your contract and your insurance broker for the exact amount.
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Why You Rarely Get 100% of Your Damage
In Quebec, the average difference between the actual cost of a home claim and the compensation paid is between 15% and 40%, according to statistics from the Insurance Bureau of Canada. These are not abusive practices: they are the standard contractual rules that apply to any home insurance policy. Here are the 6 mechanisms that reduce the amount you receive.
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Frankness
Amount that you assume yourself before the insurer intervenes. Typically $500 to $2,500, plus a special deductible of $1,000 to $5,000 for sewer backup, ground water or earthquake.
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Depreciation
Without the replacement cost endorsement, the insurer depreciates your property according to its age and wear and tear. A 10-year-old sofa is often worth less than 20% of its purchase price in the eyes of the insurer.
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Sub-limits
Jewelry, money, bicycles, artwork: each category has a maximum cap ($500 to $5,000). If your belongings are worth more, the surplus is lost, unless you have a “precious items” endorsement.
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Proportional rule
Not very common in private housing (IBC has removed it from the standard forms). It remains common in condominiums, companies and multi-rental housing. When it applies and the building is insured at less than 80% of its reconstruction value, the indemnity is reduced on a pro rata basis.
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Exclusions
Backup, ground water, earthquake, flooding, wear and tear and latent defects: all excluded by default. A specific amendment is required for each.
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Related Fee Caps
Subsistence (hotel), removal of debris, upgrading to standards, trees: each has a ceiling. Beyond that, it is at your expense. Trade higher limits when subscribing.
Proportional rule: what you really need to know
The proportional rule (or co-insurance clause) is often presented as a time bomb for Quebec homeowners. The reality is more nuanced: it does not apply to most modern residential home insurance policies in Quebec.
✅ Facts verified with the Chamber of Insurance and the IBC
The “replacement cost of the building” guarantee, present in the majority of modern policies, deactivates the proportional rule as long as you are insured for the full cost of reconstruction.
It is still common in co-ownership, business insurance, multi-unit buildings and heritage buildings.
Even when the clause exists, most insurers do not apply it to claims of less than $5,000 to $10,000. This threshold varies depending on the insurer.
In practice, in Quebec in 2026, a homeowner with a modern home insurance policy and replacement cost coverage of the building does not have to worry about the proportional rule — as long as his or her insurance amount reflects the current cost of rebuilding. The only risky situation is blatant underinsurance on an old building or a multi-unit property, where an annual readjustment is recommended.
Numerical example: water disaster in a house in Quebec City
To understand the impact of these mechanisms concretely, here is a realistic case observed by the Assur360 insurance brokers. A hot water pipe break causes damage to the kitchen, the ground floor, and part of the contents.
– Contained depreciation (average age 8 years, no replacement value)
– $10,800
– Exceeded sub-limit on jewellery claimed
– $2,000
– Standard Deductible
– $1,000
= Net Compensation Paid
$55,950
In this example, the insured loses nearly $14,000 (20%) between depreciation, sub-limit and deductible. Most of these losses could have been avoided by adding the replacement cost endorsement (≈ $40/year) and a precious jewelry endorsement (≈ $30/year).
How to maximize your compensation before a loss
1
Add the replacement cost endorsement
Cost: about $30 to $60 per year. It eliminates depreciation on content and, in several formats, also disables the proportional rule on the building. Huge return on investment at the first disaster.
2
Have the rebuild assessed from scratch
The cost of rebuilding is not the market value. In Quebec City in 2026, count on $260 to $380 per square foot. An annual recalculation protects against material and labor inflation.
3
Subscribe to the 4 essential endorsements
Sewer backup, ground water, earthquake and surface water damage. Less than $150/year in total — mandatory in the vast majority of Quebec contexts.
4
Document your valuable assets
Photos, invoices, appraisals for jewelry, art, collections. Add specific endorsements for items that exceed the standard sub-limits.
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Choose the deductible strategically
A higher deductible ($2,500) reduces your premium by 10% to 20%. If you have savings, it’s profitable. Otherwise, keep $500 to $1,000 so you don’t get surprised.
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The broker’s advice
Take 15 minutes once a year to review your contract with an Assur360 broker. Cost of the appointment: $0. Average loss gain: $15,000 to $40,000. Most Quebecers discover their coverage holes at the worst time — after the disaster.
FAQ — Home Claims Settlement in Quebec
Why does my insurer apply a depreciation?
Without the “replacement cost” endorsement, your policy compensates on the basis of the actual cash value. A 10-year-old sofa, even in perfect condition, is considered to have lost 60% to 80% of its purchase value. The replacement cost endorsement removes this deduction for the contents and, in some cases, for the newer components of the building.
Does the proportional rule apply to my home insurance?
Generally not, if you own a single-family home in Quebec with a modern policy. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has removed this clause from the standard forms and the “replacement cost of the building” coverage deactivates it. It remains present in co-ownership (syndicate),rental buildings, heritage buildings and business insurance. Even in these cases, most insurers don’t apply it for claims under $5,000 to $10,000.
What are the most tricky sub-limits?
Jewellery ($4,000), cash ($500), bicycles ($1,500) and professional tools ($2,500). Many Quebecers unknowingly own property that far exceeds these limits. Review your contract and add a valuable items endorsement for items exceeding these thresholds.
How long does the insurer have to pay me?
According to the Insurance Act (sections 2470 et seq.), the insurer must pay the indemnity within 60 days of receiving proof of complete loss. In practice, the majority of settlements occur within 30 to 90 days for simple claims, and 4 to 12 months for major claims with reconstruction.
Can I dispute the amount offered by the claims specialist?
Yes. You can appoint a public claims specialist (paid by you) or submit your assessments to the insurer. In the event of persistent disagreement, the arbitration clause provided for in the contract allows for the appointment of an independent third-party arbitrator. The AMF and the Chamber of Insurance also offer a free mediation service for insureds.
Are hotel costs during the works covered?
Yes, under the “additional living expenses” coverage. This coverage covers the hotel, rent for temporary accommodation, additional meals and additional transportation, minus any expenses you would normally have incurred (for example, groceries at home). The limit is typically 20% of the amount of insurance contained or a maximum period of 12 to 24 months.
Do I have to pay the deductible in advance?
No. The deductible is deducted from the insurer’s final payment . If your damage is assessed at $25,000 and your deductible is $1,000, the insurer pays you $24,000. You don’t need to advance the amount unless you pay bills directly to contractors before the insurer takes over.
What is the special deductible?
It is an increased deductible that applies to certain specific risks: sewer backup, ground water, earthquake. It replaces the standard deductible for these claims. Typical amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the insurer, the geographic area and the value of the building.
Can my claim be refused?
Yes, in several situations: cause excluded by the policy (wear and tear, hidden defect, flood without endorsement), false declaration at the time of subscription or at the time of the claim, flagrant lack of maintenance, undeclared vacant dwelling, or non-payment of the premium. A refusal can be challenged with the insurer’s complaints department and then with the AMF.
How can an Assur360 broker help me with the settlement?
An AMF-certified broker acts as your representative to the insurer. He analyzes the compensation offer, identifies forgotten coverages, negotiates unfavorable clauses and accompanies you until the final settlement. This service is free if you are already an Assur360 customer.
