How the floods are changing the face of home insurance
With the evacuation of 100,000 people and an estimated $1.7 billion in insured damage, the Alberta floods of 2013 have the dubious distinction of being the most costly natural disaster in Canadian history. But it's not the only example of the wraths of excessive rain. Flooding in Toronto cost Ontario a record-breaking $940 million in insured losses almost exactly two years ago, and last year flooding in southern Manitoba cost another $1 billion in insured damages.
At the time, home insurance policies did not include coverage for overland flooding (like that seen in Alberta and Ontario). This fact, however, may soon be changing.
Flood insurance in Canada
Until this year, flood insurance didn’t really exist anywhere in Canada. Sure, coverage was available for some flood-related damage like sewer back-up, but that was about it.
- Related Read: Canadians Have Increasingly Bad (Weather) Attitudes
The Co-operators and Aviva have recently introduced coverage packages that will offer protection from water damage resulting from extreme rainfall or the overflowing of water channels like rivers, streams and lakes. The Co-operators’ water damage coverage is currently available to residents of Alberta, while Aviva’s offering is available to residents of both Alberta and Ontario. Both companies have plans to make it available Canada-wide. Other insurance providers as well, have hinted that they’ll soon be offering flood insurance.
Want overland flood insurance? You’ll need sewer back-up coverage too
To get overland flood insurance, a homeowner must also have sewer back-up coverage. The two coverages, according to Aviva, are designed to work together. However, if you want just sewer-back up coverage this still can be added to a policy on its own.
Tips to minimize water damage from a flood
In addition to flood insurance, you can take precautions to minimize the damage caused by a flood. The following tips for outside the home from the Insurance Bureau of Canada can help you guard against water damage:
- Ensure your lot is properly graded, so that water can drain away from your basement walls.
- Repair, where possible, sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways that may have settled over the years allowing water to pool close to the home.
- Landscape your yard and gardens with plants and vegetation that will minimize soil erosion.
- In the winter, clear snow away from the home’s foundation.
- Consider getting window well covers so that water does not accumulate.
- Make sure your downspouts extend at least six feet, and drain in a direction away from your home as well as your neighbours.
- Use a rain barrel to catch runoff.
Flooding in Canada is changing home insurance
The Co-operators estimates that 47 per cent of all home insurance claims stem from water damage, followed by fire at 31 per cent. As a result, home insurance that was once thought to be "fire insurance" is morphing into "water insurance" as severe weather in Canada becomes increasingly more common.
