Stay high and dry this spring
It’s often been said that April showers bring May flowers, but don’t let that tranquil image lull you into a false sense of security.
Precipitation and extreme weather have both been increasing due to climate change, in turn increasing the risk of water damage to your home.
“Fires in the past used to be the major cause of loss but water has clearly overtaken fire loss,” says Allstate Canada agency manager Greg Bergeron. Insured-loss data shows an increase in water-related damage as a result of precipitation over the last four decades, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reports.
According to a recent study conducted by Angus Reid on behalf of Allstate Canada, 17 per cent of Canadians have had property or home damage from flooding caused by extreme weather, while a quarter know of someone who has gone through that experience. Of those who had flood-related damage to their home, five per cent have forked out more than $2,500 on repairs.
Standard home insurance policies in Canada typically protect homeowners from water damage caused by issues like burst water pipes and leaking appliances but many policies don’t automatically cover you for water damage caused by sewer backup and overland flooding.
Depending on where you live, you might be able to purchase add-ons like overland flood protection (which insures a home damaged by water that has entered through windows and doors from floods caused by heavy rainfall and overflowing lakes, ponds and rivers) and sewer backup (which covers the home against damage from flooding from unexpected backup from the home’s sewers, septic pumps and other pipes and drains).
Your insurance only covers sudden and accidental water damage,
Bergeron adds. In other words, if damage happens because you didn’t address an existing problem, it won’t be covered. In addition to making sure you have the proper coverage, there is a lot you can do to help reduce the risk of flooding and subsequent damage.
Allstate offers these tips:
OUTSIDE THE HOME
Make sure the soil/landscaping around the foundation of the house slopes to direct water away from the home.
Trim branches from trees growing near or hanging over your home.
Use all-weather sealants around basement windows and ground floor doors.
Keep storm drains near your home and window wells clear of leaves and debris.
Ensure downspouts extend at least four feet away from the house.
INSIDE THE HOME
Keep floor drains in your basement clear of obstruction.
Clear your basement floor of boxes and valuables and store them on shelves or in plastic bins. Use sealant to fill any gaps in your basement walls, around windows, doors and all entry points for cables and wires.
If you have previously experienced a drain backup, consider installing a backwater prevention device. Check with your local municipality as it may offer a rebate.
When landscaping, consider installing a hard surface like asphalt or patio stones next to your home to keep water as far away from the house as you can. Consider putting in a rain garden to collect and absorb water. Keep your lawn healthy and don’t cut the grass too short — the deeper the roots, the less chance of flooding.
If you experience flooding, call your insurance representative or company when safe to do so and begin your claims process, FloodSmart Canada advises. Provide as much information as possible, including a detailed list of all damaged or destroyed items. Save all receipts related to clean-up and living expenses if you’ve been displaced as a result of the flood.