Business interruption insurance Quebec 2026

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Liability, property, business interruption: comprehensive protection for SMEs.

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Sales Office — Assur360 Business Interruption Insurance

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Business interruption insurance

Business interruption insurance replaces your business income during the reconstruction period after a covered loss (fire, water damage, etc.). Covers fixed costs, salaries, temporary rental.

Duration: typically 12 months, but 18-24 months recommended for sectors with long reconstruction times (specialized restoration, manufacturer). Don’t underestimate this length of time — underinsurance here is deadly.

A fire, major water damage, critical equipment breakdown, or cyberattack can force your business to suspend operations for weeks or even months. The costs don’t stop: rent, salaries of key employees, bank repayments, suppliers. Business interruption insurance compensates for loss of income and ongoing costs during the period of resumption of operations. At Assur360, our AMF-certified brokers build BI protection adapted to your actual financial flows in Quebec.

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION 2026

Protect your revenue during the forced shutdown

Compensation for up to 24 months. Wages, rent, ongoing profits — everything is covered.

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6-24
Month of compensation
40 %
SME never reopen after a disaster
9+
Insurers Compared
100 %
AMF Brokers

What is business interruption insurance?

Business Interruption (BI) is an essential addition to your property insurance. While the property policy reimburses the reconstruction or physical repair, the BI compensates for the loss of income and fixed costs that continue while the business cannot operate normally. Without it, even if your building is rebuilt, your business can close permanently — 40% of SMBs never reopen after a major disaster without BI protection.

What BI Covers During Shutdown

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Loss of gross profits

Compensation based on your historical financial statements — expected revenue minus unincurred variable costs. Calculation by chartered accountant.

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Salaries of key employees

Maintaining essential personnel during the shutdown — managers, specialized technicians, sales team — to prevent them from leaving for a competitor.

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Rent and fixed costs

Rent, municipal taxes, bank interest, basic electricity, insurance — all expenses that continue even during the temporary shutdown.

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Temporary installation fees

Rental of temporary premises, replacement equipment, alternative solutions to continue to serve part of the clientele.

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Supplier dependency (BI quota)

If your primary supplier suffers a loss that deprives you of supply, your losses are compensated — even if your business is not directly affected.

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Customer dependency (BI quota)

If a major customer accounts for more than 30% of your revenue and suffers a claim, BI compensates for the loss of revenue while they are out of service.

How the Compensation Period Works

1

Claims and reporting

A covered event (fire, water damage, theft) occurs. You immediately declare to your insurer and to Assur360.

2

Time deductible (7 to 14 days)

BI begins after a deductible in days (generally 72 hours to 7 days). Chosen according to your ability to absorb a short interruption.

3

Compensation period (6-24 months)

The insurer pays monthly the loss of profits and ongoing costs during the resumption of operations. Your accountant documents the amounts.

4

Return to normal

Compensation ends when the business returns to its pre-disaster level of activity — not just the physical reopening.

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Choose 12 vs 24 months

Most SMEs choose 12 months. But if your business depends on specialized equipment with long lead times (manufacturing, hospitality, catering) or if you have a critical season, 24 months is highly recommended — a restaurant that burns down in November may miss out on the summer seasons.

Business interruption insurance rates Quebec 2026

turnover Less than $ 1,500 2,400 2 million 4,000 6,400 10 million 12,000 19,000 10 million
AnnualPeriod 12 monthsPeriod 24 monthsPD+BI combo surcharge
500,000$800 to $$1,300 to $-15% approx.
$500,000 to $$1,500 to $$2,400 to $-15% approx.
$2 million to $$4,000 to $$6,400 to $-15% to -20%
More than $Tailor-madeTailor-made-20% and more

*Indicative prices for 2026, vary by sector (catering and manufacturing = increased premium). Exact quote in 3 minutes.

Cyber BI: Protect yourself against digital interruptions

In 2026, cyberattacks (ransomware, data leaks, denial of service) are forcing Quebec SMEs to suspend their operations for weeks. Traditional BI does NOT cover interruptions caused by a cyber event — you need separate Cyber Business Interruption coverage, often included in a comprehensive cyber policy.

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Beware of pandemic exclusions

Since COVID-19, most BI policies explicitly exclude government pandemics and quarantines. An administrative closure order does not trigger standard BI. Check the exclusions of your contract carefully with your broker.

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Regions served in Quebec

Assur360 advises companies in all regions of Quebec on business interruption — Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Thetford Mines, Longueuil, Drummondville, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda and all RCMs. Our commercial brokers know the particularities of the sector — manufacturing in Beauce, technology in Montreal, tourism in the Eastern Townships and Charlevoix.

Related Articles and Pages

Frequently asked questions — Business interruption

What is the difference between property insurance and BI?
Property Damage (PD) reimburses the building, equipment and physical inventory. The BI compensates for the loss of income while the company cannot operate normally — profits, essential salaries, fixed costs. The two are complementary and should always be taken out together.
How do I calculate the amount of BI I need?
Basic formula: (expected annual income – variable costs) × duration of the benefit period (12, 18 or 24 months). Your accountant can produce a BI reported values form. Underestimating leads to penalising co-insurance; overestimating increases the premium unnecessarily.
Which compensation period should I choose: 6, 12 or 24 months?
Depends on your sector and the time it takes to get back into operation: 6 months for standard retail businesses, 12 months for most SMEs, 24 months for manufacturers, restaurateurs, hoteliers with specialized equipment that take a long time to replace.
What is supplier dependency (BI quota)?
If your primary supplier suffers a loss and can’t deliver to you, contingent BI compensates for your losses. Essential for businesses that rely on a single supplier or long order — manufacturers, distributors, restaurants with specialized suppliers.
Are cyberattacks covered by standard BI?
No. Traditional BI only covers material claims (fire, water, theft). To cover a shutdown due to ransomware or a data leak, you need a cyber risk policy with specific Cyber BI coverage.
Does BI cover a pandemic or a lockdown?
Since 2020, almost all BI policies explicitly exclude pandemics and health orders. Only a few high-cost specialty policies offer this coverage. Read the exclusions carefully with your broker.
What is the typical time deductible?
Usually 72 hours to 7 days. The longer the time deductible, the lower the premium. Choose a deductible that is consistent with your cash flow — if you can absorb 1 week of downtime without help, opt for 7 days to save.
How do I prove my losses to the insurer?
The insurer requires your audited financial statements for the last 2-3 years, your payroll books, supplier invoices, current customer contracts. Your accountant prepares a BI claim report. Assur360 works with commercial claims adjusters to maximize compensation.

Why trust Assur360?

AMF certified firm
ChAD Member
100,000+ quotes completed
13 partner firms in Quebec
Independent brokers
Commercial claims support

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Protect your revenue continuity

Operating losses 6-24 months. Free review of your current coverage.

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