The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) wishes to inform the residents who have been hit by torrential rain last Wednesday, May 30th, at the end of the day, that the majority of the insurance contracts for dwellings and cars cover the material damage caused by this type of natural disaster.
The overflowing of the sewers or water infiltrations through the foundation, the doors and windows are covered by all the contracts which have the additional clause “ground water”.
A priority: communicating with our insurer or broker!
Because of the diversity of the choices which are offered to the insured concerning protections available as regards dwelling insurance, it is strongly recommended to disaster victims to communicate with their insurer or their broker in order to validate the extent of their insurance contract, and this, as soon as possible.
Disaster victims must take all the necessary precautions in order to protect their goods, to avoid any aggravation of the damage and any risk of contamination. The IBC strongly encourages the affected population to observe the following advice:
• Evacuate infiltrated water without delay in order to limit the damage and to protect the saved goods;
• Clean the affected areas and the goods exposed to water infiltration to prevent all contamination;
• Keep the invoices and all the supporting documents relating to the expenditure done;
• Document the losses by taking photographs or video.
Concerning motor vehicles having suffered damage, the IBC recalls that the latter are covered under the terms of the automobile insurance contract according to whether the policy-holder bought protection against “All risks”, “Non-collision accidents nor payment”, or, protection against “ Specified risks ”.