Tourism, hospitality and travel

Insurance for tourism, hospitality and travel businesses in Quebec

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1.833.231.3757 cde@laturquoise.ca
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Comptoir d'accueil lumineux d'un établissement touristique avec service personnalisé à la clientèle. Protection d'assurance adaptée aux entreprises de tourisme et d'hôtellerie.

Your type of business in tourism, hospitality and travel

Person traveling during a stay outside the country in a tourism context. Illustration of insurance considerations for travel companies and services in Québec.

Insurance for tourism, hospitality and travel businesses in Quebec

Your business welcomes clients, travellers, guests, or groups. That creates real exposure: someone is injured on your premises, equipment fails during peak season, alcohol service leads to a claim, or a loss forces you to close. The right business insurance program should reflect how you actually operate, not just the category your business fits into.

  • Hotels, motels, and tourist residences
  • B&Bs and tourist inns
  • Short-term rentals (Airbnb and similar platforms)
  • Rooming houses
  • Outfitters and campgrounds
  • Restaurants, canteens, and catering services
  • Bars, taverns, and microbreweries
  • Travel agencies and travel advisors 

  • Welcoming the public can lead to general liability claims if a client, guest, visitor, or other third party alleges bodily injury or property damage connected to your operations.
  • Kitchen, heating, refrigeration, accommodation, or recreation equipment can break down at the worst possible time.
  • A forced interruption can create immediate revenue pressure, especially during high season.
  • Serving alcohol can add a separate liability exposure that should be reviewed carefully.
  • Remote operations face longer response times in the event of a loss
  • Online reservations, payment systems, and client data create cyber and privacy risks.

A La Turquoise broker can review your activities, identify the main exposures, and help you compare insurance coverage options for your type of operation.

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1.833.231.3757 Contact form

Coverage for tourist accommodation establishments

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  • Your building after a loss: a fire, water loss, storm, or other insured event can seriously damage your establishment. If you own the building, property insurance may help cover rebuilding or repair costs, depending on the valuation basis, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy wording. A professional replacement cost valuation can help reduce the risk of underinsurance.
  • Your contents and equipment: furniture, bedding, appliances, kitchen equipment, recreation equipment, and guest amenities can represent a significant investment. Property coverage may respond to insured physical loss or damage to these items, subject to the limits, exclusions, and conditions in the policy.
  • Your liability toward clients and third parties: a guest slips on your stairs, is injured near a pool, or damages a neighbour’s property. General liability coverage may respond to claims alleging bodily injury or property damage connected to your accommodation operations, including defence costs, subject to the policy wording.
  • A forced interruption of your operations: a covered loss forces you to close temporarily. Business interruption coverage may help replace lost income during the recovery period, depending on the limits, waiting period, indemnity period, and policy wording. This can be especially important for seasonal operations such as outfitters or B&Bs.
  • Water damage: sewer back-up, water infiltration, or flooding can cause serious damage in an establishment that welcomes guests year-round or during peak season. Available options vary by insurer and by cause of loss, so it is important to review what is included, excluded, or subject to a separate endorsement.
  • Equipment breakdown: the failure of your heating system, elevator, pool equipment, refrigeration system, or other key equipment can disrupt operations quickly. Equipment breakdown coverage may respond to an accidental mechanical or electrical breakdown and may also include related business interruption coverage if it is purchased and shown in the policy.

Coverage for restaurants, bars, and microbreweries

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  • Your building and facilities: your dining room, commercial kitchen, brewing area, terrace, storage space, and ventilation or fire suppression systems can represent a major investment. If you own the building, property insurance may help cover insured damage to the building and permanent installations, subject to the policy wording and valuation basis.
  • Your equipment and contents: cooking equipment, refrigeration units, beverage inventory, furniture, point-of-sale systems, and leasehold improvements can be costly to repair or replace. Coverage may apply to insured physical loss or damage, depending on the property insured, limits, exclusions, and policy wording.
  • Your liability toward clients and third parties: a client slips in your dining room, a vehicle is damaged in your parking lot, or an alcohol-related incident leads to a claim. General liability coverage may respond to allegations of bodily injury or property damage linked to your operations. If you offer valet service or serve alcohol, specific endorsements or additional coverage may be required.
  • A forced interruption of your operations: a kitchen fire, major water loss, or equipment breakdown can force you to close when revenue matters most. Business interruption coverage may help replace lost income and certain continuing expenses after a covered loss, depending on the limits, waiting period, indemnity period, and policy wording.
  • A food-related incident: clients become ill after consuming food served at your establishment, or a contamination issue affects your inventory. Coverage for food poisoning, contamination, spoilage, or product-related claims depends on the coverage purchased and the policy wording. These exposures should be reviewed carefully if you handle, prepare, store, deliver, or sell food.
  • Your liability related to alcohol service: a client leaves your bar or microbrewery intoxicated and causes an accident. Liquor liability coverage may respond to claims related to alcohol service, subject to the policy wording and insurer eligibility rules. It is particularly relevant for establishments holding a permit from the Régie des Alcools, des Courses et des Jeux (RACJ).

Speak with a broker about your business insurance

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1.833.231.3757 Contact form

Coverage for outfitters, campgrounds, and outdoor recreation operations

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  • Your buildings and cabins are in remote settings: cabins, lodges, service buildings, docks, storage areas, and other structures can be more expensive and slower to repair in remote areas. Property insurance may help cover insured damage, but the insured value should reflect transportation, labour, materials, seasonal access, and rebuilding conditions.
  • Your contents and operating equipment: cabin furniture, tools, generators, watercraft, motors, rental equipment, and outdoor gear can be essential to your operation. Coverage may apply to insured physical loss or damage, including certain equipment made available to clients, depending on the policy wording and insurer requirements.
  • Your liability toward clients and third parties: a guest is injured during a hunting, fishing, swimming, boating, or campground activities on your site. General liability coverage may respond to claims alleging bodily injury or property damage connected to your operations. If you rent boats, canoes, kayaks, ATVs, or other recreational equipment, separate coverage or insurer approval may be required.
  • A forced interruption of your operations: a forest fire, flood, major storm, or other covered loss can force you to close during peak season. Business interruption coverage may help replace lost income during the recovery period, taking into account the seasonal nature of your operation and the terms of the policy.
  • Equipment breakdown: the failure of a heating system, generator, water treatment system, refrigeration unit, or other key equipment can make cabins or services unavailable. Equipment breakdown coverage may respond to accidental mechanical or electrical breakdown, with related business interruption coverage available depending on the policy.
  • Your liability in the event of a spill or contamination: a fuel leak, propane spill, or contamination of your water source can create environmental responsibilities and third-party claims. Environmental coverage may apply to certain sudden and accidental pollution incidents, cleanup costs, or related claims, depending on the coverage purchased and the policy wording.

Coverage for travel agencies and travel advisors

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  • Your professional liability toward your clients: a client disputes an itinerary, reservation, supplier selection, or advice that allegedly caused a financial loss. Professional liability coverage may respond to claims related to an error, omission, or alleged fault in the course of your professional services, subject to policy wording.
  • Your general liability toward third parties: an incident occurs on your premises or during an activity you organize. General liability coverage may respond to claims alleging bodily injury or property damage connected to your operations. Activities outside the office, group travel, excursions, or higher-risk activities should be reviewed carefully with your broker.
  • Your surety bond: in Quebec, travel agencies may have financial obligations toward clients and suppliers. A surety bond may be required under rules administered by the Office de la Protection du Consommateur (OPC). Your broker can help you understand what is required and what documents may be needed.
  • A forced interruption of your operations: a covered loss on your premises or a covered interruption affecting your systems can disrupt your operations during peak season. Business interruption coverage may help replace lost income during the recovery period, depending on the coverage, limits, waiting period, and policy wording.
  • Your liability during excursions or group activities: if you organize adventure travel, sports excursions, youth group trips, or activities with outside suppliers, the risk profile can change quickly. These activities should be disclosed and reviewed so coverage, exclusions, sublimit, waivers, and supplier responsibilities are clearly understood.

Speak with a broker about your business insurance

Contact us for a quote

1.833.231.3757 Contact form

Additional coverage for all types of establishments

Certain coverages apply to all businesses in this sector, regardless of your type of operation. They complement your main coverage based on your situation and activities.

Your coverage against theft and malicious acts

An employee diverts funds, inventory is stolen, or your establishment is vandalized. Crime, theft, and malicious acts coverage may respond to certain financial, or property losses caused by third parties or employees. This coverage depends on the purchased coverage, security conditions, and policy wording.

  • A hotel employee misappropriates cash register funds over time. 
  • Alcohol inventory is stolen during a break-in at a bar. 
  • Computers are stolen from a travel agency’s office after hours. 

Your obligations toward your clients’ data

Your establishment stores personal data, processes online payments, or uses digital reservation systems. A cyberattack, ransomware incident, or data breach can create response costs, revenue loss, and liability claims. Cyber insurance may help with breach response, recovery expenses, business interruption, and third-party claims, depending on the coverage and policy wording.

  • The hotel’s reservation system has been hacked, and client payment information is compromised. 
  • An outfitter loses access to its management system after a ransomware attack during peak season. 
  • A travel agency suffers a data breach involving client passport information. 

The personal liability of your directors and officers

Decisions made by directors and officers can give rise to claims alleging a wrongful act in the management of the organization. Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance can help defend them and respond to claims that employees, partners, creditors, regulators, or other third parties may bring. The policy wording applies.

  • A director of a hotel association is sued over a board decision. 
  • An officer of a travel agency is named in a claim following a restructuring. 
  • A director of an outfitter is personally named in a dispute involving management decisions. 

Partner associations and programs

La Turquoise works with several associations, professional groups, and organizations to offer benefits to their members. Browse the list to see the associations and programs currently available.

Affinity programs and discounts

Your questions about insurance for tourism, hospitality and travel businesses in Quebec

Tourism, hospitality, and travel businesses face risks that standard insurance does not always address well. These answers explain the main coverage points in plain English so you can ask better questions and decide when to speak with a broker.

There is no single list of mandatory insurance for all hotels in Quebec. Certain obligations do arise, however, from your specific situation.

If you own your building, your mortgage lender generally requires insurance on the property. If you operate a pool or hot tub, the provincial regulation on bathing facilities applies to your installations.

General liability is not legally required in every case, but it is strongly recommended. A guest injury, property damage allegation, or incident involving your premises can lead to a significant claim. Many hotel establishments also review business interruption, equipment breakdown, water damage, crime, cyber, and other coverage depending on their operations.

A La Turquoise broker can review your activities, lender requirements, facilities, and guest services to help you compare coverage options for your hotel or accommodation business.

Usually not. Standard home insurance is designed for personal residential use. Once you rent your unit to third parties, even occasionally, your insurer may deny a claim, limit coverage, or cancel the policy if the activity was not disclosed.

Short-term rental through platforms such as Airbnb is generally treated as a business or income-generating activity from an insurance standpoint. It can require specific coverage for guest-related liability, damage to your property, loss of rental income, and other exposures.

Some insurers offer endorsements to cover occasional rentals. Others require a separate commercial insurance policy. It is important to disclose your activity to your insurer or broker before listing your property for rent.

A permit from the Régie des alcools, des Courses et des Jeux (RACJ) authorizes you to sell alcohol, but it does not protect you against the claims that may result from it.

If a client leaves your establishment intoxicated and causes an accident, your liability may be alleged. Liquor liability coverage may respond to claims related to alcohol service, subject to endorsement, insurer eligibility rules, and policy wording.

Other coverage is important for a bar or tavern. This may include general liability, theft or crime coverage, business interruption after a covered loss, equipment breakdown, and coverage related to food poisoning if you serve food.

These two coverages are often confused, but they respond to different types of claims.

 

  • General liability may respond when a client, visitor, or other third party alleges bodily injury or property damage connected to your operations. It can also include defence costs, subject to the policy wording.
  • Tenant’s liability may respond if you cause damage to the building, you rent and your landlord makes a claim against you. A fire, water damage, or other incident affecting the rented premises should be reviewed based on the lease, insurer requirements, limits, and policy wording.

The two coverages are complementary. A restaurant operating as a tenant may need both: general liability for claims involving clients or other third parties, and tenant’s liability for damage to the rented building. A broker can help structure these coverages within one commercial insurance policy when available.

Often, yes. Many tourism and hospitality businesses combine more than one activity under the same roof. A hotel with a restaurant, a B&B that serves breakfast, or an outfitter with cabins, meals, rentals, and guided activities are examples. These activities may be insured under one commercial insurance policy when the insurer agrees, and the activities are properly disclosed.

Grouping your coverage can simplify insurance management and reduce the risk of gaps between separate policies. A broker can review all of your activities, including accommodation, food service, alcohol, activities, equipment, and business interruption exposure.

Speak with a La Turquoise broker to review insurance coverage options for all of your activities and request a quote.

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Because every situation is different, we help you review insurance solutions based on your property, activities, operations, and business risks.