Butchery insurance in Quebec 2026 — meat, refrigerator equipment, liability

Cold room failure

Compressor fails, power failure, Hydro-Québec cut: 12 hours are enough to lose all the meat. The Equipment Breakdown + Loss of Food endorsement is mandatory — without it, your basic insurance does NOT cover lost meat.

Contamination & Food CR

A customer who is sick after salmonellosis, E. coli or listeriosis can sue for $50,000 to $500,000. The product liability must be at least $2 million (ideally $5 million) and cover recall + legal fees.

Employee injuries

Cuts (knives, slicers), burns (sterilizers), sprains (lifting 40+ kg carcasses). The CNESST is mandatory — but employer liability insurance supplements these costs.

Theft & vandalism

Butchers’ shops often store cash + high-value meat (filet mignon, game). Risk of burglary by night or internal theft. Monitored alarm system = 10-15% discount.

Building & Content

Building (if owned), equipment, furniture, meat inventory, refrigerated counters. Recommended replacement cost.

Loss of food

Specific endorsement — covers meat lost due to electrical or mechanical failure. Without this amendment: not covered.

Food & Commercial RC

Minimum $2 million, recommended $5 million. Covers intoxication, customer fall, damage to a third party.

Business interruption

If your butcher shop closes 3 weeks after a claim, this guarantee replaces your lost income during the repair.