Insurance Law

Application of Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act: New Rulings From the Court of Appeal

This paper was written under a partnership with the Montreal Association of Insurance Women. Quebec’s Automobile Insurance Act, CQLR c A-25 [Act], is the object of abundant jurisprudence. The courts are frequently called upon to determine the field of application of the State regime, the object of which is to facilitate prompt compensation of the […]

Claims for Latent Defects: Limits to the Pre-Purchase Inspection Obligation and to the Amounts That Can Be Awarded in the Event of Liability

The recent decision in Nguyen c. Succession de Durand, 2022 QCCS 3224 provides a useful illustration of the legal principles which apply in the event of a claim for damages for latent defects. The Superior Court reiterated that a buyer’s obligation to inspect a residence prior to purchase is limited in scope and that the […]

“What if…?” The Fear of an Increased Risk of Cancer Is Not Compensable Damage Justifying a Class Action

On August 12, 2022, in Palmer v. Teva Canada Ltd., 2022 ONSC 4690, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed an application for authorization to bring a class action against the manufacturers of a hypertension drug sold under the generic name of valsartan. The application was filed in 2018, a few days after the manufacturers […]

A Reminder of the Basic Differences Between a Builder’s Risk Policy and a Liability Policy

In the recent case of Bridor inc. c. 90784497 Québec inc., 2022 QCCS 2496, the Superior Court ruled on the fundamental distinctions between a Builder’s Risk policy and a liability insurance policy. Bridor inc. [Bridor] had retained the services of Construction Milkado [Mikado] as a construction manager to oversee the expansion of its plant. In […]

Buying a Century-old Property: An Extra Measure of Care Is Required

While looking for a home, you fall for a century-old residence: what should you do? Make sure you carry out certain verifications before closing the sale. Although the legal warranty of quality applies regardless of the building’s age, courts generally have more stringent expectations towards buyers of older properties. The Superior Court illustrated this in […]

Introduction to the Small Claims Process

This webinar was presented on June 13, 2022, as part of our firm’s annual lectures on insurance law. Description With jurisdiction on claims of $15,000 or less, the Small Claims Division of the Court of Québec hears nearly 15,000 cases each year. Whether the object is an account, bodily injury, latent defects, or an insurance […]

Risks Associated With a Simplified Life Insurance Proposal and Nullity Ab Initio

On March 28, RSS obtained a favourable decision on behalf of its client in Kabeya c. Compagnie d’assurance-vie RBC [RBC], 2022 QCCS 1035. In this decision, the Court concluded that a life insurance policy was null and void due to a false declaration by the insured regarding his Canadian citizenship status. The Court also considered […]

Sale Made at Your Own Risk: Is It Really Without Legal Guarantee?

The Honourable Steve J. Reimnitz of the Superior Court recently revisited the rules regarding fraud and the warranty for latent defects in the case of St-Pierre c. Benoit, 2021 QCCS 5491. The Facts In 2015, the plaintiffs purchased a property from the defendant built by the latter in 1993–1994. This contract was concluded following the […]

Back to Basics: The Importance of Subrogation Clauses in Releases

On March 2, 2022, the Hon. Lukasz Granosik of the Superior Court dismissed a subrogation claim by Sécurité Nationale compagnie d’assurance based on the absence of legal and conventional subrogation: Sécurité Nationale compagnie d’assurance c. Bel Bro inc., 2022 QCCS 723. The Context The plaintiff, Sécurité Nationale, an insurer, was suing a general contractor for […]

Quebec Liability Insurance Duty to Defend Update

After missing the net on his first attempt, the Minister of Finance has scored a goal with his second effort at drafting regulations identifying liability insurance contracts that are exempt from Quebec’s public order “defence in addition to limits” requirement. Overview On May 5, 2022, a revised, long-overdue regulation [Regulation][1] will come into force that […]
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