Newsletters

Exclusion Clauses In Life And Health Insurance Scrutinized

On May 9, 2024, in Beneva inc. v. Bolduc, 2024 QCCA 589, the Quebec Court of Appeal unanimously confirmed the decision rendered by the Honourable Jean-Yves Lalonde of the Superior Court in Bolduc v. SSQ Assurance, 2023 QCCS 266, which was the subject of one of our previous newsletters. Facts in dispute François Roch (“Roch“) […]

Specified Perils Insurance Coverage: At Your Own Risk!

In Lévesque v. Aviva Compagnie d’assurance générale, 2024 QCCS 1570, the Quebec Superior Court (the “Court”) denied an insured’s claim for compensation of the total loss resulting from the collapse of her cottage. This decision should encourage insureds to exercise caution when taking out a specified perils policy which, although less expensive than an “all […]

Latent Defects, Pre-purchase Inspections and Good Faith

The Facts In 2009, Louise Champagne (“Champagne“) and her husband purchased a house in Morin-Heights. They obtained a pre-purchase inspection report, which revealed a number of problems: Cracks in the foundation, one of which posed a risk of water infiltration; A lack of adequate flashing between the balcony structure and the exterior walls, posing a […]

Defence Costs Battle Between Multiple Insurers : the Insured is No Pawn

In Intact Compagnie d’assurance v. Lavoie, the Court of Appeal of Quebec ruled that an insured who was already being completely defended by several of its liability insurers lacked the legal interest to compel another of its insurers to contribute to defence costs. The decision stands for the proposition that an insurer cannot use the insured […]

Caught Red-Handed: Anatomy of a Publicly Broadcast Dismissal

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Was the collapse natural?

In the recent decision Weber v. Société d’assurance Beneva inc., 2024 QCCS 622, the Superior Court reiterated the principles applicable in a dispute over the application of an insurance policy and its exclusions. Brian Weber and Fiona Buell were suing their insurer, Société d’assurance Beneva inc. (“Beneva”), asking that Beneva indemnify them for damage to […]

Defending an injunction and punitive damages? Yes, says the Court of Appeal!

On April 18, 2024, the Court of Appeal of Quebec (the “Court”) rendered a judgment of prime importance in Promutuel Vallée du St-Laurent, société mutuelle d’assurance générale v. Noyrigat-Gleye, 2024 QCCA 447, concerning the duty to defend claims for injunctive reliefs and punitive damages. The Court also seizes the opportunity to indicate in which cases […]

Lifetime Employment Contracts and the High Price of Ending Them

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Is it transported? Is it stored? You may have to defend!

In the recent decision Intact Compagnie d’assurance c. Entreprises Transkid inc., 2024 QCCS 16, the Superior Court of Quebec (the “Court”) was tasked with determining if a global transportation insurance policy providing civil liability insurance coverage in respect of goods transported by truck could extend to temporary storage. The Facts This matter concerns the theft […]

Handling Of Claims By Insurers – Reminder Of A Few Principles

On February 12, 2024, the Court of Appeal rendered an interesting decision in a dispute between Société d’assurance Beneva Inc. (“Beneva”) and its insureds1. Origin of the dispute and judgment of the Superior Court The legal action was initially brought before the Superior Court by the insureds2, as a result of Beneva’s refusal to indemnify […]
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