Global Courant
Amid raging wildfires in the Western and Eastern provinces, Vice President of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Craig Stewart, shares what residents need to know about wildfire policy coverage.
In an interview with CTV’s Your Morning on Friday, Stewart assured that nearly every insurance policy across Canada covers wildfire risks.
“The first thing you do is contact your insurer and start your claim as soon as possible after you’re safe,” says Stewart.
Stewart says that for those who need to evacuate and move, most insurance policies include provisions for additional living expenses.
“Policies typically extend from two to four weeks of living expenses while away from home,” says Stewart, “Ask about that and make sure you keep receipts and submit them to your insurer.”
According to Stewart, no policy has been overturned because homes were built too close to a forested area in Nova Scotia — instances that occurred after the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires.
“More than 200 homes were insured and almost all of those people have already been in contact with their insurers,” says Stewart.
Some homes in Nova Scotia were uninsured this year, Stewart revealed.
In the wake of the 2.7 million acres of land that burned in Canada, Stewart says, according to the National Forestry Database, we won’t think about people living in fire-prone areas without insurance.
“Fire is still considered an accident in this country. We can’t predict where houses will burn,” says Stewart. “Particularly in Tantallon, just outside Halifax, that came as a complete surprise not only to residents, but also to insurers.”
“We don’t see wildfire insurance being restricted in any way across the country. There are over 200 property and casualty insurers operating in a very competitive market. country whatsoever period,” adds Stewart.
Stewart clarifies that while most fires are man-made, this does not affect policy cover.
