Aviva Canada readies team as extreme weather shifts from wind to rain

Claims hotline available to assist customers 24/7

Offering tips to prevent damage and keep customers safe during extreme weather

April 16, 2018 (Toronto, Ontario) – With the ice storm that hit the province in the last two days, Aviva Canada has seen a steady rise in claims related to high winds, fallen trees on homes and water damage on roofs and basements.  Aviva Canada is taking measures to respond to and assist customers with claims, including adding extra staff to its call centres in Ontario to minimize wait times.

Lynn Anderson, Interim Chief Claims Officer, Aviva Canada comments:

“We have been preparing for the extreme weather in the province since Thursday.  Our staff is on the ground, ready and available to our customers during their time of need. Any impacted customers can call us at 1 866 MYAVIVA or contact their broker should they need assistance.

Initially the expectation was that we would see a significant increase in claims relating to wind damage, it now appears that water and rain will be the main concern from this storm - with almost 70% of claims this weekend related to water damage and just 30% related to wind. We expect the number of water related claims to increase, and have deployed additional staff to help our customers through this as the rain continues to fall.”

Hydro One reports that tens of thousands customers in the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario are currently without power. In the next 24 hours, a month’s worth of heavy rainfall is expected. Peterborough, Windsor, Hamilton and the Chatham-Kent areas are already issuing a flood warning. To see an updated map on flood forecast, click here.

Anderson continues: “Flooding is hugely disruptive and very traumatic for any homeowner. We know that the biggest part of our job is explaining how the claims process works and what our customers can expect at every step along the way. We’re here to deliver peace of mind to our customers and their families.”

Additional staff at call centres are ready to assist customers 24/7

For Aviva customers, please call 1 866 MYAVIVA (1 866 692 8482) for assistance. For RBC Insurance customers, please call 1 800 769 2526.

Aviva advises homeowners to prepare for possible flooding and offers the following tips to prevent damage:

  • Check the areas around your home. Clear sewage drains and storm drains of any debris or ice. 
  • Move anything valuable or of sentimental value away from the basement.
  • In case of power outage, turn on generators to ensure sump pumps in basements are working.
  • Minimize outdoor activities or driving unless necessary. Stay indoors and stay safe.

 

[ends]

 

Media Contact:

Priscilla Wong

Aviva Canada Inc.

Mobile: 647 208 7523

Email: priscilla.y.wong@aviva.com 

 

About Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country, providing home, automobile, leisure/lifestyle and business insurance to 2.8 million customers. A subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, Aviva Canada has more than 4,000 employees focused on creating a bright and sustainable future for our customers and our communities.

Aviva Canada invests in positive change through the Aviva Community Fund, Canada’s longest running online community funding competition. Since its inception in 2009, the Aviva Community Fund has awarded $8.5 million to over 280 charities and community groups nationwide. Aviva Canada, bringing over 300 years of good thinking and insurance solutions to Canadians from coast-to-coast. 

For more information, visit aviva.ca or Aviva Canada’s blog, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.