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Flooding and Insurance
After the flood
If your home, car or business was damaged as a result of flooding, here is some information to help you understand your insurance coverage and the various stages of the claims process. If you don't see the information you're looking for, contact Insurance Bureau of Canada's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422).
You can also direct questions to your IBC regional office:
AskIBCWest@ibc.ca (Western, Pacific, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut)
ONCIC@ibc.ca (Ontario)
AtlanticCIC@ibc.ca (Atlantic region)
Media Release
Flooding coverage
Every policy is different. Know what your insurance covers.
Flood coverage is optional and typically covers specific types of water damage, such as the overflow of lakes, ponds or rivers; surface water from heavy rainfall or melting snow; and ground water or the rising of the water table, causing water to enter a home at the ground level or by seeping through windows, doors and walls. Homeowners are encouraged to reach out to their insurance representative with any questions about their policy.
Damage to vehicles from wind or water may be covered if you purchased the optional coverage (comprehensive and/or collision) as part of your policy. Check with your insurance rep to see what coverage you have.
Water damage in a basement due to a sewer backup is only covered if you have purchased specific, optional sewer backup coverage.
The contents of your refrigerator and freezer may be covered for damage related to food spoilage caused by an accidental power interruption. Typically, in this situation, your fridge, freezer and their contents are insured for a specified amount. Check your policy.
In certain circumstances, homeowners who are unable to stay in their homes because of insured damage may be entitled to additional living expenses. Check with your insurance representative to find out what your policy covers.
Filing an insurance claim
Understanding how to file a claim before you need to can help to reduce the stress in the aftermath of damage or loss.
Home insurance claims
Auto insurance claims
Additional living expenses
Most personal property insurance policies (homeowner, condominium unit owner and tenant) cover the cost of alternate accommodations and living expenses for people whose home has become unliveable after an insured loss. There may also be limited coverage for mass evacuation under certain circumstances.
This is typically called Additional Living Expenses or ALE in an insurance policy. The categories of ALE claims include:
Prohibited access because a civil authority has ordered a mass evacuation. This coverage starts on the date of evacuation and typically expires after a specified number of days. Policyholders should check their own policies for limits.
Prohibited access as a direct result of damage to neighbouring premises. This covers a policyholder whose home may not have been damaged but who cannot return because of damage to homes nearby. Policyholders should check their policies or ask their insurance representative to confirm their limit. Insurers will review the duration of coverage on a case-by-case basis.
Damage to your home by an insured peril, for example fire, flood or related damage. This covers a policyholder whose home is unlivable because of damage by an insured peril. Typically this covers additional living expenses for a reasonable amount of time needed to repair or rebuild the home or until the policy limit is reached. In a flood situation, policyholders who have purchased optional sewer backup coverage or optional overland flood insurance would have this coverage. Always check with your insurance representative to understand the limits of your coverage.
Additional living expenses FAQs
More resources
For information on the following topics, as well as a series of additional FAQs, please visit:
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As the leading voice of the Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry and their customers, we proactively work to shape decisions on policy reforms and regulations and provide consumer education.