Yesterday’s torrential storm in southern Ontario brought over 100 mm of rain to some areas in a few short hours, causing widespread flooding. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has already said that the damages from the storm could surpass $1 billion.
Many people across the province are dealing with damage to their home, property, vehicles and more; even Drake’s Toronto mansion was flooded. Here’s information on how to make a claim after a flood and what’s covered by insurance.
Things to avoid immediately following a flood
Your safety is of the utmost importance. Even before you file a claim, make sure not to do any of the following (for you or any members of your household):
- If your home has been severely damaged by flooding, do not re-enter it unless explicit permission has been given from authorities
- Avoid turning the power back on unless you are given permission; in some cases you’ll require an inspection. If the power was on when the loss occurred, ask an electrician if it’s safe to do so before re-entering your home.
When documenting damage to your home, take pictures and videos, but be cautious of any loose debris or unstable structures. When filing a claim, be sure to mention these hazards. If your damages are severe, your insurance company may expedite repairs to get your home back to a livable condition.
What’s covered by insurance?
Floods are a special kind of event; not every standard home insurance policy will cover them, so you’ll need to have the appropriate endorsements in place for flooding to be covered. Flooding is typically insurable through overland flood coverage, which is an optional add-on that covers specific types of water damage, including overflow of ponds or rivers, lakes, and surface water from heavy rainfall. It can also cover groundwater/rising of water table that results in water entering a home through ground level.
Damage to vehicles due to water and flooding may only be covered if you have comprehensive insurance. Keep in mind that every insurance policy is different, so check with your insurance representative or broker to see what you have.
What to expect when filing a claim after a storm
Given the extent of this week’s severe weather event, insurance companies will be dealing with a lot of claims. This may mean longer wait times, so patience is key.
If you need to file a home insurance claim because of flooding, its important to know that it’s a requirement of your policy to do what you can to avoid further damage. Restoration companies will certainly be busy during this period, so it’s a good idea to phone one up as soon as possible to remove the water from your basement and start setting up fans and dehumidifiers to help dry the space.
If your home is damaged to the point where you cannot re-enter it, make sure that you keep receipts for any expenses you incur during this period. Hotel bills, takeout, childcare, laundromat costs, etc. – anything necessary beyond what you’d usually spend in the month. You can later get this reimbursed through the additional living expenses portion of your policy.
How and when to file a claim
Every insurer has their own timeframe for when you can submit claims. Submitting a claim and making your insurer aware of a loss are two different things though, and you do have a requirement to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Check your policy for exact terms and conditions around time limits. If your car has been damaged as well by flooding, you’ll want to get a claim through your auto insurance provider as well.
After major storms with widespread damage, it’s better to file sooner than later as insurance companies will be busy with everyone’s claims all at once. The sooner you get things submitted, the sooner you’ll get your settlement.
Filing a claim is as simple as calling your insurance company’s claims hotline. You’ll be assigned a claims adjuster, who will serve as your point of contact through the process. You can also contact your broker if you have pressing questions.
Your claims adjuster will be the person reviewing your policy to ensure you have coverage for the damage you experienced. Without the necessary coverage, your claim will likely be denied.
Steps of an insurance claim
The initial steps of an insurance claim usually go like this:
- Notice of loss is submitted
- The claims adjuster assigned to your case will contact you to get information about the loss
- The claims adjuster will review your policy to ensure coverage exists
If you have the necessary coverage, the claims adjuster may enlist several different experts to review the extent of damage to your home/property or car and the potential cost of repairs. While steps for repairs and restoration are being determined, the adjuster may offer you a settlement based on the final estimate. You may also select a contractor of your choice (if you want) to do the repairs.
Once repairs are completed and paid for (minus any applicable deductibles) your claim will end. Claims are usually paid in different ways, including e-transfer, cheque, or in some cases directly to the contractor.
If additional living expenses were incurred during this period, remember to keep all receipts and invoices during the claim period. You’ll be able to get these reimbursed by your insurer, assuming all those costs were necessary.
We’re here to help
While your claims adjuster will be your point of contact through the process, you can always reach out to our friendly brokers here at Mitch if you have any questions or are wondering if it is worth filing a claim. We know claims can be stressful, especially after major storms that cause significant damage for many people and are always available to provide support and advice.
