EDMONTON, AB, Aug. 13,
2024 /CNW/ - As Jasper residents prepare to return to
the community following recent evacuation orders, many will likely
have questions about their auto, home and business insurance
coverage. That's why Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) will be on the ground in
Jasper to offer information and
help answer residents' insurance questions over the coming days and
weeks.
On Friday August 16, IBC will be
deploying its in-person Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (CAMP)
at the Municipality of Jasper's
Re-Entry Centre (Commemoration Park - 1324 Pyramid Lake Rd.),
bringing together local insurers and adjusters as well as IBC's
trained insurance professionals to help address consumer questions.
Residents with general questions about home, business or vehicle
insurance can also contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at
1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) or AskIBCWest@ibc.ca.
"We know that many residents and business owners may be feeling
anxious and overwhelmed as they begin the difficult journey back
home. Insurers are here to help and anyone whose property or
vehicle was damaged is encouraged to contact their insurance
representative as soon as they are ready to start the claims
process," said Aaron Sutherland,
Vice-President, Pacific and Western, IBC. "When returning to a home
or business after a wildfire, it is best to take extra safety
precautions and follow the guidance of local officials. Unseen
dangers may linger, so using caution can help reduce the chance of
injury. When in doubt, seek advice from an expert."
Residents can access the latest information about wildfire
activity in Jasper, please visit
Parks Canada's Wildfire Status –
Jasper Wildfire Complex webpage. For the latest updates on re-entry
and additional information for evacuees, please refer to the
Municipality of Jasper's Re-Entry
Guide.
After disaster strikes, what should homeowners do?
- A homeowner's first priority must be their personal safety.
Only enter your home if it is safe to do so.
- All homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused
by fire.
- Damage to vehicles from fire is covered if comprehensive or all
perils coverage car insurance was purchased. As this coverage is
not mandatory, talk to your insurance representative to ensure that
you have appropriate insurance coverage.
- Work with your insurance provider to assess the damage that has
been done and determine if it can be cleaned up while taking proper
precautions, or whether professionals should be hired.
- To facilitate claims processing, homeowners should document and
take photographs of damage if it is safe to do so.
- If you have questions regarding electric or natural gas
service, please refer to ATCO's webpage, which includes resources
and FAQs for consumers.
- Homeowners who have experienced property damage as a result of
a fire should discuss their coverage and any deductibles with their
insurance representative as soon as possible.
Cleaning Up Damaged Fridges and Freezers
One of the first cleanup issues people may face is dealing with
damaged refrigerators and/or freezers.
Here's what you need to know about damaged fridges and freezers
and your insurance coverage:
- Your damaged refrigerator, freezer and their contents are
covered for fire and related damage.
- Your freezer and its contents are also covered for loss or
damage caused by an accidental power interruption. Typically, in
this situation, your freezer and its contents are insured for a
specified amount. Check your policy for that limit.
- Before disposing of food from your freezer, make a list or take
photos for insurance purposes, if safe to do so.
- If you suspect your fridge or freezer is contaminated by food
spoilage or other damage, speak to your insurance representative
before discarding the appliance. If you wish to discuss a specific
matter, residents can also contact Environmental Public Health at
1-833-476-4743 or www.ahs.ca/eph.
- Alberta Health Services has additional information specific to
food, fridges, and freezers on their website.
- If your insurer agrees that the refrigerator or freezer must be
replaced, the cost of disposing of the appliance is covered under
your policy. Your discarded refrigerator and freezer will be
"de-gassed" and safely disposed of in accordance with the
directions of local authorities.
If my business has been damaged, what should I do?
- Business interruption or business income insurance is an
additional coverage you may have purchased as an add-on to your
existing business property insurance policy. This would cover your
lost earnings during an unexpected shutdown.
- Another important factor to consider is the indemnity period.
This is the time period that the policy will cover for loss of
business income.
- There are two basic types (or "forms") of indemnity period:
limited and extended.
- A limited form pays only until the damage is repaired or the
property is replaced. As soon as your business resumes, the policy
stops paying even if the business has not regained its previous
level of earnings.
- An extended form continues to pay until your business resumes
its normal, pre- interruption level of earnings, subject to the
maximum period of indemnity listed in your policy.
"Over the past few weeks, insurers have been supporting their
customers in the wake of four catastrophic weather events across
the country, including the devastating wildfire in Jasper, a hailstorm in Calgary and parts of Alberta, flooding in Montréal and parts of
southern Quebec and the recent
flooding in southern Ontario,"
added Sutherland. "While there has been an unprecedented number of
claims stemming from these events, Canada's insurers are committed to helping
customers rebuild following the loss caused by the Jasper Wildfire
Complex. We encourage residents to visit IBC's CAMP location or
contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre with general insurance
questions."
As reported by IBC earlier this year, severe weather events in
2023 caused over $3.1 billion in
insured losses across Canada, one
of the highest annual totals on record. IBC is continuing to engage
with the federal and provincial governments on ways to improve the
climate resilience of communities. Insured losses related to severe
weather in Canada now routinely
exceed $2 billion annually. By
comparison, between 2001 and 2010, Canadian insurers averaged
$675 million a year in losses related
to severe weather.
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry
association representing Canada's
private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make
up the vast majority of Canada's
highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance
market.
As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC
collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to
support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance
industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of
today and tomorrow.
IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and
resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides
insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses. For media
releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC
representative, visit ibc.ca. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and
Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question
about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer
Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.
SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada