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Media Releases 2009

August 21, 2009

Insurers urge Ontario residents to check insurance coverage following yesterday's tornadoes

Toronto, ON – August 21, 2009 – Canada’s home, car and business insurers urge residents affected by tornadoes that touched down yesterday in southern Ontario to check their homeowner’s policy and contact their insurance representative as soon as possible.

“Wind and hail damage due to tornadoes is generally covered by home insurance,” said Nikki Holland, Ontario Government Relations Manager, Insurance Bureau of Canada. “Damage from objects that might have fallen onto homes as a result of a tornado is covered as well.”

Severe storms rolled across a large section of the province yesterday evening generating multiple tornadoes and causing serious damage.  One fatality was reported in Durham, Ontario.

If you’ve experienced property damage as a result of the storms, you should discuss your coverage and any deductibles with your insurance professional as soon as possible.  In addition, you should document all property losses, in order to facilitate claims processing.

“In certain circumstances, homeowners who are unable to return to their homes due to damage that is insurable are entitled to additional living expenses, as well,” Holland added.

Policies vary from insurer to insurer, but, in general, damage caused by wind or hail, such as windows broken by falling trees or branches, is covered.  Water entering your home and damaging your property as a result of holes caused by wind or hail is also usually covered.  Water damage in a basement due to a sewer back-up is covered only if a sewer back-up add-on has been added to your policy. If you have comprehensive or all perils coverage on your car, damage from wind, hail or water is usually covered.

Generally, any overland flooding that results in water seeping into basements is not covered.

If consumers have questions, they are encouraged to contact IBC’s Ontario Consumer Information Centre at 1-800-387-2880 or 416-362-9528.

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent nearly 95% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $38 billion.  

To view news releases and information, visit the media section of IBC’s website at www.ibc.ca.

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For more information contact: James Geuzebroek (416-362-2031 ext. 4364)