How much will the eastern Canada flooding cost?
May 10, 2019 by Jason ContantTotal economic losses from the recent flooding in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick are expected minimally to reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars (U.S.), Aon’s latest catastrophe report said. The flooding event has already been declared a catastrophe…
Waters to rise again in Ottawa area, even as N.B. turns to flood recovery mode
May 10, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSWater levels are expected to rise again this weekend between Ottawa and Montreal, even as New Brunswick’s floods are effectively over. Officials warned late Thursday that “significant” rainfall is expected to raise water levels in the Ottawa/Gatineau area down to…
‘It’s triage now’: Cottage Country brokers deal with flood fallout
May 6, 2019 by Adam MalikBrokers in Ontario’s Muskoka region are calling the recent flooding event the worst disaster they’ve ever seen. Both Stephen Darling, president at A.W. Shiers Insurance Brokers, and Adam Caswell, owner of Hutcheson Reynolds & Caswell, said damage is greater and…
Should insurers offer incentive for remote water shut-off?
May 6, 2019 by Greg MeckbachIf your client owns a multi-storey commercial or residential building and installs a system that lets them shut water off immediately if necessary, how easy is it to get a break on insurance? “To the best of our knowledge there…
Health and safety inspection teams head to flood affected zones in New Brunswick
May 3, 2019 Kevin Bissett - THE CANADIAN PRESSFREDERICTON – Health and safety inspection teams are fanning out across flood-affected regions of New Brunswick, assessing homes and businesses that are still drying out amid receding floodwaters. New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization says the teams will inspect electrical systems…
How brokers personally assist during floods
May 2, 2019 by Jason ContantThe flooding last year in Grand Forks, B.C. was a prime example of how an insurance broker provides more than just policy advice and advocacy when disaster strikes. A broker could provide money upfront for additional living expenses, emotional support…
Health Canada warns mould is a serious concern in flood hit homes
May 2, 2019 Kevin Bissett - THE CANADIAN PRESSHealth Canada is warning of the dangers of mould in homes and cottages hit by this year’s spring flooding. Federal biologist Francis Lavoie says it’s important to dry wet walls and belongings within 48 hours, but that’s not always possible…
How Quebec floods are challenging adjusters
May 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMany homes flooded in Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que. will be total losses and may not have overland flood coverage, a vice president for an independent adjusting firm suggests. Claims adjusting firm ClaimsPro is involved in about 2,000 flood claims from April in…
Are sandbags effective? A look at the popular flood prevention tool
April 30, 2019 Michelle McQuigge - THE CANADIAN PRESSFor centuries, residents of flood-prone areas have looked to sandbags to stave off rising waters. Flood management experts say that while it’s easy to understand why sandbags have become the first line of defence, they may not necessarily be the…
Southern New Brunswick still flooded but waters are slowly receding
April 29, 2019 Kevin Bissett - THE CANADIAN PRESSFREDERICTON – Officials in New Brunswick are urging patience while floodwaters are receding, saying there’s a long way to go before the response can become a recovery effort. The province’s Emergency Measures Organization says that while water levels are slowly…
Best incentives to get homeowners to move out of floodplains
April 29, 2019 by Jason ContantMassive flooding in Quebec has shined the spotlight on suitable incentives that may get homeowners to move out of floodplains. Quebec Premier François Legault said recently that the province will offer a maximum of $100,000 to homeowners dealing with flood…
How much of the Quebec flooding is insurable?
April 29, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAbout one in three Quebec homeowners have overland flood coverage, but that number could be much lower in areas affected by recent floods. In the Montreal suburb of Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que., waters from Lake of Two Mountains breached a dike at about…