{"id":1798,"date":"2026-06-25T22:12:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T22:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.univesta.com\/non-classe\/comment-proteger-sa-copropriete\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T20:46:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T20:46:36","slug":"how-to-protect-your-condo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.univesta.com\/en\/blog\/home\/how-to-protect-your-condo\/","title":{"rendered":"How to protect your condo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Shared spaces, less upkeep \u2014 condo living has real upside. As long as you\u2019re properly insured to protect your investment. Here\u2019s a guide to the coverage you need and the latest changes in Quebec.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s a condominium (a \u201ccondo\u201d)?<\/h2>\n

Buy a condo and you own your unit plus a share of the building\u2019s common areas \u2014 the lobby, roof, grounds and so on. That\u2019s why two kinds of insurance come into play: one for your unit, one for the shared spaces.<\/p>\n

What is co-owner\u2019s insurance?<\/h2>\n

This is the part that covers your property and your civil liability as an owner. It also protects upgrades you\u2019ve made to your unit since buying it \u2014 new cabinets, an added heat pump.<\/p>\n

What is syndicate of co-ownership insurance?<\/h2>\n

This covers the building itself \u2014 the common areas and the original fixtures (the ones in place before any renovations, like floors, countertops or cabinets). It also covers the civil liability of the syndicate and its directors. On top of that, the syndicate must insure standard risks like theft and fire, for an amount that reflects the building\u2019s replacement value.<\/p>\n

What happens when you make a claim?<\/h2>\n

Whatever it takes to put your unit back the way it was is covered by the syndicate\u2019s insurance \u2014 rebuilding walls, floors or countertops. Your co-owner\u2019s home insurance covers replacing your personal belongings (a range, say), and it\u2019ll also cover the extra cost of upgrading the original fixtures \u2014 swapping melamine countertops for granite, for instance.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s new in Quebec?<\/h2>\n

Several recent legal changes to divided co-ownership (condo) insurance spell out more clearly who\u2019s responsible for what \u2014 the syndicate or the co-owner.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the gist:<\/p>\n

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  • Directors must now get a professional appraisal of the building every five years, and the amount insured under the syndicate\u2019s master policy has to match the building\u2019s reconstruction cost.<\/li>\n
  • The syndicate must now keep a document describing every private portion, detailed enough to clearly identify the improvements co-owners have made to their units.<\/li>\n
  • The syndicate had until April 15, 2022 to set up and manage a self-insurance fund covering deductible costs in a claim. That reserve has to cover the highest deductible under the syndicate\u2019s policy, apart from those for earthquakes or floods.
    \nDirectors\u2019 and officers\u2019 liability insurance is now mandatory.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Learn more<\/h2>\n

    For more, this video walks through the main legal changes to condo insurance.<\/p>\n