Heavy rains: Beware of water damages

Your home insurance policy protects you in case of water damage, but not in all cases. You will be covered for water damages caused by flooding, sewer backup or water seepage only if you purchased additional coverage.

• The Water Damage Coverage - Above Ground Water endorsement covers water damage resulting from sudden and accidental overflow of gutters, downspouts or storm columns. This endorsement also covers water damage caused by a leaking roof.
• The Water Damage Coverage – Ground Waters and Sewers endorsement covers water damage resulting from sewer backup.

Check if your insurance policy includes these coverages. If this is not the case and wish to add these additional protections, contact your insurance broker.

• Act quickly to prevent damages from getting worse. You have the responsibility to minimize the damages (reference in French).
• Disconnect all electronic devices. As quickly as possible, remove all appliances, furniture and other property that you can move easily to avoid contact with water.

Your role

• Contact your insurer to report the claim as soon as possible. The Claims Department will explain the steps in the process and how to minimize the damages until a claim adjuster assesses the damages.
• Take pictures of the damage, or a video, to document your claim file.
• Keep property that has been damaged until a claims adjuster assesses the damage.
• Get rid of the water. Use old towels, buckets and brooms to absorb as much water as possible. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it. Getting rid of all the water. Drying the flooded area should be your priority to prevent mold growth. If mold contamination occurs, it may be necessary to take steps to address this problem. Mold can lead to health problems and additional damage to property, especially if action is not taken to eliminate it.
• For the restoration of damaged property, you may employ the contractor of your insurer or the contractor of your choice.
• No matter who you have repair the damage, ensure that they can do the work as quickly as possible. Your insurance policy may not offer any guarantee in the future for damages resulting from your failure to act promptly to repair damage.
• If you deal with the authorized contractor of your insurer, the work isusually guaranteed. If, on the other hand, you prefer to employ another contractor, your insurer will only guarantee the cost of the work up to the amount stipulated in the evaluation of your insurer's contractor.
• If your policy includes a deductible, you must pay it according to the agreement between you and the claim adjuster handling your file.

The claim adjuster’s role

• The claim adjuster will visit the premises to assess the damage, take your declaration and arrange for a contractor and a restoration company if necessary. In some cases, he may call in a building appraiser.
• Once the agreement is reached for the extent of the damage, work begins. The time to repair damage is confirmed by the contractor assigned to your file. It may be necessary to do a valuation of personal property damaged during the incident to assess their replacement cost. Your claim adjuster will guide you on how to proceed.
• In the majority of cases, invoices will be submitted directly to your claim adjuster who will pay them.

Your role

• Get rid of the water. Use old towels, buckets and brooms to absorb as much water as possible. If you have a wet/dry vacuum, use it. Getting rid of all the water and drying the flooded area should be your priority to prevent mold growth. If mold contamination occurs, it may be necessary to take steps to address this problem. Mold can lead to health problems and additional damage to property, especially if action is not taken to eliminate it.
• Use experts to clean, disinfect and dry each piece that has been contaminated with water. 
• Contact your insurer to report the claim. Even if your policy does not cover water damage, the insurance law requires you to report any loss that may influence the insurer in setting the premium or assessing the risk. At the same time, your insurer can advise you on how to minimize the damage.