Frequently Asked Questions about Desjardins Home Insurance

Yes, we can cover up to 2 roommates under the same home insurance policy. But, if you and your spouse are sharing an apartment with another couple, the other couple will have to get their own insurance. For more details, see Tenants insurance: get informed, get better coverage!

If your dishwasher leaks or your washing machine overflows and floods the unit below, you’re legally responsible for any water damage. All renters should get Tenant Insurance including Liability Coverage.

Want to learn more about how to prevent water damage? See the Preventing water damage section of our website or print our handy guide on Preventing water damage caused by plumbing fixtures.

No, it doesn’t cover your home daycare.

Your basic home insurance policy:

• Doesn’t provide liability coverage for home-based businesses
• Includes coverage limits for any property related to your daycare
• Doesn’t provide coverage for loss of business income

What you really need is home insurance that includes coverage for home-based businesses. Call to speak with an agent at 1 877 838-0031 for more information.

When more water than usual is flowing through the water supply system, sewers can fill up and overflow. This typically happens when there’s a heavy rainfall, melting snow, a sudden thaw or a rise in the water table. Backwater valves can help prevent this kind of loss.

If you want to get a home insurance quote, update your information or ask us a question, our Client Care Centre agents are here to help:

• Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Detailed contact info

To be on the safe side, you should have enough coverage to protect all your belongings, including your:

• Clothes
• Furniture
• Electronics
• Computers
• Other valuables (jewelry, collections, etc.)

People often underestimate the value of their belongings. That’s why it’s important to do a property inventory so you know exactly how much your stuff is worth.

For more information on buying, installing, maintaining and ensuring the safety of a wood-burning appliance, read A guide to residential wood heating (french only) from the Canadian Mortage and Housing Corporation. For more helpful tips, see Preventing fire.

One of the best ways to prevent fire is to make sure that all your smoke detectors are working properly and have fresh batteries. In 75% of fatal fires, there were either no smoke detectors on site or the smoke detectors weren’t working properly.

Want to know more about how to prevent fire? See Preventing fire or Preventing home insurance claims.

It depends. If you’re away at school temporarily and staying in residence or off-campus housing, you’re covered under your parents’ home insurance policy. But, if you’ve moved out of your parents’ place for good, you’ll need to get your own tenant insurance.

See Tenants insurance: get informed, get better coverage! to find out why it’s important to protect your home.

Here are a few tips to lower your home insurance premium:

• Install a centrally monitored alarm system.
• Buy your home and auto insurance from the same provider to get a multi-product discount.
• Tell us about any major home improvements that are likely to lower the risk of loss (new roof or upgrades to the plumbing, electrical or heating systems, etc.).
• Increase your deductible. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium will be. Just make sure you can afford to pay your deductible in the event of a claim.
• If everyone in your house is a non-smoker, you’ll pay a lower home insurance premium, because there’s less risk of a fire in a smoke-free home.

Absolutely! A backwater valve (french only) (also called a back-up valve) is a device that helps prevent basement flooding by preventing sewer water from getting into your home. Make sure yours is installed in accordance with your municipality’s standards and regulations.

According to plumbing experts, you should check your backwater valve twice a year (spring and fall) to make sure it’s working properly.

No matter how careful you are, water damage can still occur. If it does, a claims advisor can help you deal with your emergency and start the claim process.