Millions of Quebecers will be making insurance claims in the coming days. Here are a few tips.
• Also read: Ice Storm: How to make your food after a power outage
• Also read: Ice Storm: Watch out for scams during outages!
Before we begin, it’s worth remembering that home insurance contracts usually cover the majority of damage (buildings, outbuildings, and swimming pool) caused by ice.
On the other hand, hundreds of thousands of people will lose food in their freezers or refrigerators because power is not restored quickly enough. These groceries are also covered by home insurance, usually up to a $1,000 limit.
If you have your grocery bills, great. But it is not mandatory. On the other hand, before throwing this food, you have to make the list and take photos. Note that game is also covered (check with your insurer for the extent of your coverage).
If you have to leave your home because it is no longer livable due to damage from ice storms or a fallen tree, your insurance policy will cover the cost of living. However, you will not be compensated if you only leave your home during a power outage.
The broken branches of a tree on your property damaged the neighbor’s house, car or shed? Your insurance pays. But you need to coordinate communication between your neighbor and your insurer.
If your tree or its branches pose a threat to the structure of your home or that of your neighbor, you can immediately hire personnel to remove the dangerous parts of the tree. It is best to discuss this with your insurer beforehand, but it would be surprising if they refused to cover the cost of this cleaning.
Contracts do not cover damage caused to your landscaping or that of your neighbors (especially trees and shrubs). However, fences and certain structures are covered, but this depends on the contract.
In the case of roof damage through to water ingress, this damage is also covered with the supplement “groundwater damage” (supplement to the policy). The insurer will eventually dispatch one of their claims adjusters before forwarding your case.
automobile
Is your vehicle unusable due to a tree or branch fall? No need to call the police. Take photos from multiple angles and take some notes about the damage to the vehicle.
Typically, your insurer will not require an incident report from the police department. Of course, the damage is covered according to the insurance provided for in your contract. If a replacement vehicle is provided, find out the duration of the rental.
Advice
- Before calling your insurer, take notes, list all damage and losses to your property, take several photos. Note that the deductibles (the part you have to pay out of pocket) provided for in your insurance policies apply.
- Items that were in the car and were destroyed or severely damaged by ice or a falling tree are covered by home contents insurance. Objects that are attached to the car (bicycle or smartphone holder) are covered by car insurance.
- Before leaving home, turn off the water and unplug your water heater’s circuit breaker.
- For more information, contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada Information Center at 1-877-288-4321 • https://infoassurance.ca/understanding-home-insurance/claiming-for-your-home/cover-following-a-claiming/