Foire aux questions
Questions populaires
Que faire en cas d'accident ?
Assurez votre sécurité, appelez la police si nécessaire, échangez les informations avec l'autre conducteur, et contactez rapidement votre assureur.
Cargo insurance covers the value of the goods themselves; carrier's liability covers the carrier's legal obligation to compensate the owner of the goods in the event of loss or damage.
In practice, the two overlap within the carrier's cargo policy, but the liability limits set out in the transportation contract (often expressed in dollars per pound) may differ from the actual value of the goods. A specialized broker makes sure your insurance limits match your contractual commitments.
At a minimum, an independent owner-operator needs a "three-head" policy: commercial auto insurance, cargo insurance, and commercial general liability.
Depending on their situation, they should also consider business interruption insurance (to protect their income if the truck is off the road) and, if they haul to the United States, a cross-border extension that meets U.S. requirements.
Cargo insurance is not required by Quebec law, but in practice it is demanded by virtually all shippers and transportation contracts.
Moreover, the Civil Code of Québec holds the carrier liable for the goods entrusted to it: without cargo insurance, that liability rests entirely on the carrier's shoulders. That is why it is considered an essential coverage for any trucking business.
The cost varies widely depending on your profile: for an independent owner-operator, annual premiums typically range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of dollars.
The main pricing factors are: the type and value of the truck, the goods being hauled, the territory covered (Quebec, Canada, United States), driver experience and records, the company's claims history, and the coverage limits selected. The only way to get an accurate price is a personalized quote, free at Covalen.
L'assurance cargo couvre la valeur des marchandises elles-mêmes ; la responsabilité du transporteur couvre l'obligation légale du voiturier d'indemniser le propriétaire des marchandises en cas de perte ou de dommage.
Les limites prévues au contrat de transport (souvent en dollars par livre) peuvent différer de la valeur réelle des biens. Un courtier spécialisé s'assure que vos limites d'assurance correspondent à vos engagements contractuels.
Un voiturier indépendant a besoin, au minimum, d'une police « 3 têtes » : assurance automobile commerciale, assurance cargo et responsabilité civile générale.
Selon sa situation, il devrait aussi considérer l'assurance interruption des activités et, s'il roule vers les États-Unis, une extension transfrontalière conforme aux exigences américaines.
Un voiturier indépendant a besoin, au minimum, d'une police « 3 têtes » : assurance automobile commerciale, assurance cargo et responsabilité civile générale.
Selon sa situation, il devrait aussi considérer l'assurance interruption des activités et, s'il roule vers les États-Unis, une extension transfrontalière conforme aux exigences américaines.
L'assurance cargo n'est pas imposée par la loi québécoise, mais elle est exigée en pratique par la quasi-totalité des donneurs d'ordre et des contrats de transport.
De plus, le Code civil du Québec rend le voiturier responsable des marchandises qui lui sont confiées : sans assurance cargo, cette responsabilité repose entièrement sur les épaules du transporteur.
Our story
Groupe Ostiguy & Gendron was founded in 1991 by Pierre Ostiguy and Daniel Gendron, and quickly established itself as a leader in Quebec's insurance industry. In 2015, Jean-Philippe Martineau and Maxime Poulin joined Monique Gagnon and Philippe Dupuis to form the team that would take over the firm's leadership.
In October 2024, to pursue its ambitions for nationwide growth, the firm adopted a new identity and became Covalen. The name draws on covalent bonds in chemistry: "Co" for "together," and "valent" for strength and value. Just as covalent bonds unite atoms to form stable molecules, Covalen unites expertise to build solid protection around every client.
An insurance agent works for a single insurance company, whereas a broker like Covalen is independent and compares products from several insurers to find the protection best suited to your needs at the best price.
Yes. Groupe Ostiguy & Gendron became Covalen in October 2024. It is the same property and casualty insurance brokerage, founded in 1991, that simply adopted a new brand identity to support its expansion across Canada.
