Peatlands protect against wildfire and flooding, but they’re still under attack in Canada
October 13, 2021 The Canadian PressBy Edward Struzik, Fellow, Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy, School of Policy Studies, Queen’s University, Ontario. This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure…
How to help clients mitigate water damage risk
August 17, 2021 Canadian Underwriter StaffWith water damage claims due to infrastructure failures costing the industry much more per year than natural catastrophes, brokers need to be more proactive in helping clients understand coverages and risk mitigation strategies. Infrastructure and plumbing related water damage is…
Why your clients may not have the high ground on overland flood risk
July 19, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMany homeowners opt not to buy overland flood coverage and this could leave them uninsured in the event of a severe rain storm. “Overland flooding is any water that comes into your house through the windows or door or anything…
Reservoir to protect Calgary from floods gets approval
June 24, 2021 The Canadian PressEDMONTON – The Natural Resources Conservation Board has approved a controversial reservoir that could protect Calgary from future flooding, ruling that it’s in the public interest. Alberta Transportation proposed the $432-million off-stream reservoir near the rural community of Springbank, Alta.,…
100-year flood level on Yukon River prompts warning to village of Carmacks
June 23, 2021 The Canadian PressWHITEHORSE – The water level on the Yukon River at the village of Carmacks keeps rising, prompting a flood warning from the territory. A statement from the territory says the river is at a level only seen once every 100…
Progress report: Canada-wide flood mapping is well underway
June 16, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA nationwide estimate of coastal, pluvial, and fluvial flood hazard is one part of the ongoing effort to come up with a national approach to insuring or re-locating homes at high risk of flood, a federal government official suggests. Flood…
Where Canada sits with national low-cost residential flood insurance
June 10, 2021 by Greg MeckbachSix possible flood insurance models for homes at high risk of flood are about to go through an actuarial review, a federal government official suggests. The Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation is going to hand off those possible…
Downpours in southeast B.C. raise flood concerns
May 25, 2021 The Canadian PressFAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS, B.C. – An evacuation alert has been issued for more than 200 homes and businesses in southeastern British Columbia as a weekend downpour and the likelihood of more rain raise the potential for flooding in the Fairmont…
Why IBAC foresees a national flood insurance program
April 28, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe recently-released federal budget gives brokers reason to be optimistic that Canada will eventually have a national flood insurance program for homeowners, the head of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada suggests. “The commitment from the federal government is clear…
Insurers seek federal grants for homeowners to improve basement flood protection
April 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe industry is pushing to make federal grants available for Canadian homeowners to reduce basement flood risk. In the fall of 2020, the federal government announced its Greener Homes initiative. When the program rolls out, the plan is to provide…
Client dogged by $1,277 uninsured water damage remediation bill
April 14, 2021 by Greg MeckbachA British Columbia client who runs a dog kennel business out of her home is liable for some water damage remediation costs that her insurer did not cover because they relate to business and not personal use of the property.…
Review hears closing arguments into proposed reservoir to protect Calgary from floods
April 7, 2021 Colette Derworiz - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – A lawyer for Alberta Transportation says there’s a serious and urgent need for a proposed reservoir that could protect Calgary from future flooding. Ron Kruhlak made the comment during his closing argument Tuesday before the Natural Resources Conservation…