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 adjuster, 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 adjuster 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.

🏠 Combien je reçois vraiment après un sinistre ?

Simulateur d’indemnité nette pour assurance habitation — Québec 2026

1Type et ampleur du sinistre

2Franchise (déductible)

500 $
1 000 $
2 500 $
5 000 $
Autre
Sinistre à franchise spéciale (refoulement d’égout, tremblement de terre, eau au sol) — typiquement 1 000 $ à 5 000 $ de plus.

3Valeur à neuf ou valeur dépréciée ?

✓ Valeur à neuf (remplacement)
Valeur dépréciée

La valeur à neuf est l’avenant standard au Québec pour le contenu. Sans cet avenant, l’assureur applique une dépréciation selon l’âge et l’usure.

4Biens avec sous-limites

Indiquez la valeur réclamée par catégorie. Chaque police impose une limite maximale pour ces biens (valeurs indicatives — consultez votre contrat).

Bijoux, montres, pierres précieuses Limite typique : 4 000 $
Limite 4 000 $
Argent comptant Limite typique : 500 $
Limite 500 $
Vélos, accessoires de sport Limite typique : 1 500 $ / vélo
Limite 1 500 $
Œuvres d’art, antiquités, objets de collection Limite typique : 5 000 $
Limite 5 000 $
Outils / équipements professionnels Limite typique : 2 500 $
Limite 2 500 $
Titres, documents, cartes-cadeaux Limite typique : 2 000 $
Limite 2 000 $
Vins, spiritueux, cigares Limite typique : 2 500 $
Limite 2 500 $

Les montants réclamés dans ces catégories sont déjà comptabilisés dans le dommage au contenu ci-dessus ; l’outil les traite séparément pour appliquer la bonne limite.

5Frais supplémentaires

Hôtel / loyer substitut pendant les travaux
Surcoût par rapport à vos dépenses normales
Généralement couvert à 5 % du C bâtiment
Travaux exigés par la réglementation 2026
Limite typique : 500 $ par arbre, 5 % du C bâtiment
Serrurier, protection temporaire, etc.

6Règle proportionnelle (avancé)

ℹ Bon à savoir : En assurance habitation résidentielle québécoise moderne, la règle proportionnelle n’est généralement PAS appliquée — les formulaires du BAC l’ont retirée et la garantie valeur à neuf du bâtiment la désactive. De plus, la majorité des assureurs n’appliquent pas la clause pour les sinistres de moins de 5 000 $ à 10 000 $, même quand elle figure au contrat. Ne cochez la case ci-dessous que si votre contrat contient explicitement une clause de coassurance ou si vous êtes en copropriété/entreprise.
Mon contrat contient explicitement une clause de règle proportionnelle (coassurance) — typiquement copropriété, logement locatif multi-logements, bâtiment ancestral.

7Exclusions ou limitations possibles

Cochez les situations qui s’appliquent — elles peuvent annuler ou réduire la couverture si l’avenant n’est pas souscrit.

Refoulement d’égout sans avenant
Eau au sol ou infiltration sous-sol sans avenant
Tremblement de terre sans avenant
Inondation par débordement d’un cours d’eau
Logement vacant > 30 jours avant le sinistre
Usure, vice caché ou défaut d’entretien

Votre indemnité nette estimée

⚠ Estimation à titre indicatif seulement. Ces chiffres sont calculés à partir de moyennes du marché québécois et ne tiennent pas compte des particularités de votre police, de votre historique de réclamations, ni de l’appréciation de l’expert en sinistre. Assur360 se dégage de toute responsabilité quant aux décisions prises sur la base de cette simulation. Consultez toujours votre contrat et votre courtier pour le montant exact.

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 checked with the ChAD and the IBC

  • The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has removed the proportional rule clause from standard residential home insurance forms.
  • 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.
  • The general 100% rule set out in article 2493 of the Civil Code of Québec applies by default in the absence of an explicit contractual clause.

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 in concrete terms, here is a realistic case observed by Assur360 brokers. A broken hot water pipe causes damage to the kitchen, the ground floor and part of the contents.

StepAmount
Building Damage (Floors, Walls, Cabinets)$45,000
Damaged contents (furniture, appliances, clothing)$18,000
45-day family resort $6,750
Total gross damage$69,750
– 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.

5

Choose the franchise 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 adjuster?
Yes. You can appoint a public claims adjuster (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 ChAD also offer a free mediation service for policyholders.
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.

Why trust Assur360?

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ChAD Member
100,000+ submissions processed
13 partner firms in QC
30+ insurers compared
Phone: 1-866-357-4451

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