When a loss occurs, you naturally expect your insurance to cover the damages. Yet, there are times when your insurer refuses to compensate you—whether because the damage isn’t covered under your policy or due to a failure to meet your contractual obligations. In this article, we explain your rights and the steps you can take, based on Quebec law, to challenge an insurer's refusal.

In the realm of liability insurance, the goal is to protect the insured against the financial consequences of damages caused to others. Article 2396 of the Civil Code of Quebec outlines the principles, but a fundamental aspect that is often overlooked is the insurer's obligation to defend the insured against any claim that could result in a judgment covered by the insurance policy. This obligation is found in Article 2503 of the Civil Code of Quebec, yet it remains frequently ignored.