Severe weather caused a record $8 billion in insured damage in 2024. Are you sure you're covered?

Hamilton Spectator

7 days ago

Damage caused by severe weather broke records last year and if this summer's forecast is any indication, we could be gearing up for another rough season.
Severe weather events, including wildfires, floods and hailstorms, caused more than $8 billion in insured damage in 2024 for the first time in Canada's history, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. July and August were particularly bad, with four catastrophic weather events that resulted in more than 250,000 insurance claims and more than $7 billion in insured losses.
Flash floods in Toronto and southern Ontario last July and August alone caused more than $940 million in insured damage.
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Frequent showers and powerful thunderstorms are in store for southern and eastern Ontario this summer, according to the Weather Network, with a threat of wildfires in northern Ontario.
'It's super important to have home insurance, including tenants' insurance or condo insurance,' says Morgan Roberts, vice-president of insurance at RH Insurance, Ratehub's insurance brokerage.
Fire, wind, flooding and hail can cause significant damage, and most people can't afford to shoulder the recovery costs on their own. Roberts says you could be looking at upwards of $100,000 in damages depending on the circumstances.
A recent survey from
Ratehub.ca
found that while nearly half of Canadian homeowners feel 'somewhat confident' about their home insurance policy's coverage and terms, some 70 per cent admit to having little or no understanding of their policy exclusions.
That means many Canadians won't realize what their home insurance policy covers until they're dealing with a loss and have to file a claim.
'The devil is always in the details,' says Nainesh Kotak, founder of Kotak Personal Injury Law. 'Insurance policies vary, and fire and flood coverage may depend on certain terms and conditions,' Kotak adds.
Consumers should pay particular attention to what type of water damage is covered, says Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations for the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Standard home insurance policies will typically cover water damage caused by a pipe bursting or a leaking fridge.
However, standard home insurance policies don't cover overland flooding (water entering a property from an accumulation of water from the outside) or sewer backup. Most insurance companies will allow you to purchase additional coverage to fill those gaps — but it depends on the circumstances, including where you live.
'Some insurance companies may not offer water damage coverage if you live in an area that has frequently flooded,' says Thomas.
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Most policies cover fire and wind. However, if you live in an area where there's an active wildfire season, 'it's very unlikely that they're going to give you fire insurance because the insurance company could be setting itself up for a claim,' Kotak says.
It's also important to be aware of any coverage limits, Thomas says. For example, some sewer backup coverage is maxed out at $25,000. 'If your basement water damage is $40,000, that other $15,000 is yours to cover,' Thomas says. 'If you think that you require more coverage, find another insurance company or buy more — ask an insurance broker what your options are.'
Another couple of terms to get familiar with: replacement cost coverage (the actual cost to replace an item) versus actual cash value (the cost of the item when it was new minus depreciation).
'If you bought a 50-inch television three years ago and you paid $5,000, and today you go on Facebook Marketplace and somebody's selling that same TV for $2,000, that's the actual cash value,' Thomas says. With replacement cost coverage, the insurance company will replace that $5,000 television with a similar year, make and model. 'If that TV would cost $6,000 by today's standards, that's what they will pay.'
When it comes to rebuilding costs, Roberts recommends guaranteed replacement cost coverage. Standard coverage reduces payouts based on depreciation, whereas this protection pays the full replacement amount — even if actual costs exceed their policy's stated limits.
'With Canada experiencing an increasing frequency of severe weather events, guaranteed replacement costs provide crucial peace of mind, ensuring that your home will be fully rebuilt regardless of how much construction costs have escalated since your policy was originally written,' Roberts says.
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Keep in mind that while guaranteed replacement cost covers construction costs, it won't pay for upgrades or improvements beyond the original specifications of your home.
If your home is damaged due to severe weather, reach out to your insurance company as soon as it's safe to do so (most insurance companies have 24-hour claims lines) and document your losses. Take photos and record videos that survey the damage so that 'an insurance adjuster can see the scope and scale of the damage to the home,' Thomas says. If you don't have receipts for damaged items, videos and photos can be particularly helpful.
Depending on the scope of the severe weather event, it can take an insurance adjuster days to get to your home because of the number of claims. If you rent a shop vacuum or dryers for water damage, keep receipts. 'Your insurance company will reimburse you for steps you have taken to mitigate further damage,' Thomas says.
If you have a history of multiple home insurance claims, your premium will go up. Some insurance companies will also raise your deductible. 'If you normally have a $1,000 deductible and then have one or two sewer backup claims, your deductible might change to $5,000,' Roberts says. They could exclude that coverage altogether.
A few useful tips to mitigate potential damage: Make sure your downspouts are directed away from your home's foundation and not toward it. Clean eavestroughs regularly so the water flows through properly. Don't pour fats or oils down your drains — they can coagulate and cause blocks so water can't escape.
Raise large appliances like hot water heaters up off the floor in the basement, along with any other any valuables. Ensure any sewer backup drains in your basement are free of debris.
You may want to install a sump pump (a device that removes water to prevent flooding) with a battery backup and/or a backwater valve (which prevents sewage from the public sewer system from flowing back into your home when it's backed up), Thomas says.
Many insurance companies offer discounts when you install equipment (backwater valves, sump pumps, storm shutters, sprinkler systems) that helps prevent damage to your home. 'If you're less likely to have something go wrong with your house, you're less likely to make a claim,' Roberts explains. 'Insurance companies like that, so they'll often give you a break on your premiums as a reward for being proactive about protecting your home.'
Some municipalities and even insurance providers offer incentives or subsidies for installing preventative measures in your home. In Toronto, homeowners can apply online for the Basement Flooding Protection Subsidy Program, which offers a subsidy of up to $3,400 to install flood protection devices (including backwater valves and sump pumps). Check with your provider to see if they offer any reimbursements for weather-prevention upgrades.
Typically, your insurance policy only needs to be reviewed with your broker once a year when it comes up for renewal. However, if you make any upgrades or big purchases (think renovating your kitchen, adding a bathroom or buying an expensive bicycle), you should talk to your broker to add those items to your policy.
'You want to make sure you have coverage and up your liability,' says Roberts. 'It could change the premium, but you're also now insuring a finished basement.'
Kotak says it's a good idea to take photographs of any upgrades or valuables (such as a wine collection) that you would seek to replace. 'It's nice to have a before photo to have that comparison, just to make someone's life a little bit easier when they have to make a claim and justify the claim,' he says.
Due to last year's severe weather, many Canadians will see higher home insurance policy renewal rates this year, even if they haven't filed a claim. Roberts recommends working with an insurance broker to find a company with rates that fit your budget.
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You can typically get a discount if you have your car and home insurance with the same company, Thomas says. You should also check with your broker to see if there's a group discount that you might not be aware of. 'Some insurance companies offer discounts if you're an alumnus of a university or you're employed by a certain company,' Thomas says.
It's great to have coverage, but it's crucial to understand the coverage you have, Thomas says. If you don't understand what severe weather your policy covers, consult an insurance broker or contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada's consumer information centre.