Consult insurance company, gather all proof of destruction — and remain patient
What to do if your property sustained tornado damage
It could take months, even a year, to rebuild what’s likely to be tens of millions of dollars in tornado and wind damage across the National Capital Region, according to an insurance expert who was touring affected areas over the weekend.
What struck Craig Stewart, the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s lead for all natural disasters in the country, after visiting Dunrobin, Goulbourn and Gatineau was “the explosive force with which these tornadoes hit on Friday night.”
As with all natural disasters, the tornadoes were indiscriminate: “It doesn’t matter if you’re living in an affluent, million-dollar home or in a low-rise tenement building. You are just as vulnerable in either case, and it’s remarkable there weren’t any fatalities resulting from this storm, given how damaging it was,” Stewart said.
But unlike wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alta., or in British Columbia, or even the floods that swamped Ottawa- Gatineau, there was little forewarning, Stewart said. Fires and floods approach the community in a way that gives people “time to gear up.”
“With an explosive tornado such as what we’ve just witnessed, you have no warning, which makes it all that much more remarkable at the emergency response that we’ve seen, particularly from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, St. John’s Ambulance — they mobilized within hours and have provided tremendous support in all the communities that were affected.”
While Stewart, based on past storms, said he expects the damage to be in the realm of tens of millions of dollars, insurance companies won’t know the true costs for several months.
The rebuilding effort will largely depend on the availability of contractors and labourers. “They can be tightly squeezed at this time when you’ve got damage to multiple dwellings over a wide area.”
So, you’ve had property damage, big or small, as a result of Friday’s tornadoes and windstorm. Here’s what to do:
CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY
The City of Ottawa is advising residents affected by the tornadoes and storm to contact their insurance companies first and foremost.
“Most home and business insurance policies cover damage caused by a windstorm or tornado,” the city said. Renters should contact their landlords or property owners and their renters’ insurance companies.
The insurance companies should then direct residents with their next steps and help co-ordinate cleanup and debris removal. The city is asking that residents not bring any storm-related garbage or debris to the curb.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says to “keep damaged items unless they pose a health hazard.”
The IBC also says most damage, to either businesses or homes, will fall under “windstorm damage” because it’s the severe winds that actually do the damage.
TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES AND DOCUMENT ANY AND ALL DAMAGE
“Keep all receipts related to the storm, such as for hotels, food, pet boarding and supplies,” the city advises. Keep receipts for cleanup, too.
“If residents have to leave their homes because of a mandatory evacuation order issued by civil authorities, most home and tenants’ insurance policies will provide coverage for reasonable additional living expenses for a specified period of time,” said the insurance bureau.
Again, individual insurance companies are the best source of information on what they cover and for how long.
To the best of your ability, gather together any “proofs of purchase, photos, receipts and warranties,” the bureau said.
Once the loss and damage is reported to the insurance company, it will assign you a claims adjuster.
The IBC warns that this “may take some time given the number of people affected by the windstorm or tornado, but you will be contacted. “
That adjuster will then take a look at all your documented damage and explain the process. The IBC encourages you to take notes during those talks and ask questions.
You will then have to fill out a “Proof of Loss” form that lists all the property or things that have either been damaged or destroyed as a result of the storm. That list will also include the estimated value of everything lost. You will then have to sign and swear that the list is true.
Anyone with questions should contact their insurance representative or for more information contact IBC’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-227-5422.
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