Insurance for flood victims: Evacuees encouraged to begin claim process early
The rains may have stopped but the devastation from flood damage in British Columbia will linger for a long time. It is going to be costly and victims are encouraged to begin the insurance claim process now.
In 2015, the Canadian insurance industry began offering overland flood coverage due to increased flood events in Canada. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, about 50 per cent of B.C. property owners have purchased it.
"We do know and we have received reports of overland flood damage, sewer backups, even wind damage," explained Rob de Pruis, director of consumer and industry relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada. "If you have been evacuated and you do have the overland flood coverage, you also have coverage for your additional living expenses."
Overland flood insurance is also available for businesses and farmers. However, there have been cases where some property owners have been unable to buy flood coverage.
Last year, the provincial government offered financial disaster assistance to victims of winter floods who had were unable to get coverage. CTV News asked Emergency Management B.C. if similar assistance would be available to victims of the recent flooding, but has yet to receive an answer.
What is clear is the cost of climate change is having an impact. According to the IBC, the cost of claims has more than doubled over the past decade compared to the previous 10 years, rising from $600 million to $2 billion.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says the increased frequency and severity of weather events needs a co-ordinated response.
"We really need to make sure that we're talking about building resilience within our communities and this is something that everyone needs to take a part of, the insurance industry, as well as governments and other stakeholders to help build this resilience to make these communities safer," de Pruis said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.