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How can water cause property damage?
When we think about flooding, big storms might come to mind first, but water damage can also start inside your home. Indoor issues often start with plumbing or appliances, while outdoor ones may be related to issues with the roof, gutters, foundation cracks, or flooding in nature.
Leaks, big or small, can gradually cause damage to your home including flooring, drywall, furniture and other personal belongings. Mould can also grow in damp areas in your home.4 Here are some of the most common causes of water damage.
Burst pipes
Pipes can burst and crack from wear and tear or freezing temperatures, causing water to leak into your home and damage walls, floors, and belongings.
Faulty appliances
Aging appliances or loose connections from dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators can cause water to pool causing damage to your property.
Roof and gutters
Clogged gutters or damaged roofs with missing shingles can allow water to seep into your home, causing damage to ceilings, walls, and insulation.
Sewer backup
Heavy rain can overwhelm sewer systems, causing wastewater to flow back into your home through drains and toilets, leading to contamination and damage.
River or lake overflow
When rivers or lakes overflow, water can flood nearby homes through doors, windows, and foundations, causing damage to floors and walls.
Extreme rainfall
Prolonged rain can seep into homes through roofs, windows, and foundations, especially if gutters are clogged, damaging walls and floors.
How can water cause property damage?
When we think about flooding, big storms might come to mind first, but water damage can also start inside your home. Indoor issues often start with plumbing or appliances, while outdoor ones may be related to issues with the roof, gutters, foundation cracks, or flooding in nature.
Leaks, big or small, can gradually cause damage to your home including flooring, drywall, furniture and other personal belongings. Mould can also grow in damp areas in your home.4 Here are some of the most common causes of water damage.
-
Burst pipes
-
Faulty appliances
-
Roof and gutters
-
Sewer backup
-
River or lake overflow
-
Extreme rainfall
How can water cause property damage?
When we think about flooding, big storms might come to mind first, but water damage can also start inside your home. Indoor issues often start with plumbing or appliances, while outdoor ones may be related to issues with the roof, gutters, foundation cracks, or flooding in nature.
Leaks, big or small, can gradually cause damage to your home including flooring, drywall, furniture and other personal belongings. Mould can also grow in damp areas in your home.4 Here are some of the most common causes of water damage.
Burst pipes
Pipes can burst and crack from wear and tear or freezing temperatures, causing water to leak into your home and damage walls, floors, and belongings.
Faulty appliances
Aging appliances or loose connections from dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators can cause water to pool causing damage to your property.
Roof and gutters
Clogged gutters or damaged roofs with missing shingles can allow water to seep into your home, causing damage to ceilings, walls, and insulation.
Sewer backup
Heavy rain can overwhelm sewer systems, causing wastewater to flow back into your home through drains and toilets, leading to contamination and damage.
River or lake overflow
When rivers or lakes overflow, water can flood nearby homes through doors, windows, and foundations, causing damage to floors and walls.
Extreme rainfall
Prolonged rain can seep into homes through roofs, windows, and foundations, especially if gutters are clogged, damaging walls and floors.
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These partner relationships are wholly for the benefit of our policyholders with no income to Aviva.
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Cardinus Risk Management
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
GSA Global
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
SafetyCulture Training Microlearning Platform
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Occupational health
Bureau Veritas
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Premises, tools and equipment
SafetyCulture
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Wellbeing and personal resilience
Innovate Healthcare
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Protecting your property
Construction
Adler & Allan
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
GSA Global
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
SafetyCulture Training Microlearning Platform
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Escape of water
Leaksafe
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Fire safety
ANSUL
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Flood and weather
Adler & Allan
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Property valuation services
BCH
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
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GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
Security
Insafe
Health And Safety Assessments
Cardinus Risk Management provide Health and Safety Assessments and comprehensive reporting. This service helps identify general health, safety and welfare hazards as well as who is at risk and details a set of recommendations for risk.
SafetyCulture Training
Safe Business Travel
GSA Global provides independent assessments and audits for organisations to check that their travel management policies and procedures meet the best practice criteria in the ISO 31030 framework.
Innovate Healthcare
SafetyCulture Training can provide access to dedicated training material designed to support, inform and upskill staff directly from their mobile devices.
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Want to know more about optional home insurance coverages?
Water Protection
Get additional protection for your home with sewer back-up and overland water coverage.
Service Line
Coverage to help cover the costs to repair or replace failed underground service lines on your property.
Disappearing Deductible
Reduce your deductible every consecutive year you’re claims-free.
Green Assure
Replace damaged items in your home with eco-friendly alternatives. For example, flooring.
Claim Protector
Keep your claims-free discount after your first insurance claim.
Home Protect Bundle
Protect your home and property even more with this bundle of features.
Aviva Cyber Insurance for your household
Defend against digital risks with a full range of services to protect you and your family from potential cyber vulnerabilities.
Know what’s covered
Read your warranty policy carefully to understand what’s covered, including:
- any limitations or exclusions in your coverage
- coverage expiry dates under the policy
- claim reporting cut-offs that you need to know about
Some defects are not covered
It is important to understand that not all deficiencies and defects with your new home are covered, including non-completed items and contractual issues.
Be sure to retain all documents and correspondence surrounding your home purchase to use as support material if there is a concern (or if a claim submission is required).
Alberta and British Columbia
If your home is in Alberta or British Columbia, resources are available to assist you in determining if your concern might be covered by your home warranty insurance.
Alberta: Residential Protection Program Construction Performance Guide for New Home Warranty
British Columbia: Residential Construction Performance Guide
Know what’s covered
Read your warranty policy carefully to understand what’s covered, including:
- any limitations or exclusions in your coverage
- coverage expiry dates under the policy
- claim reporting cut-offs that you need to know about
Some defects are not covered
It is important to understand that not all deficiencies and defects with your new home are covered, including non-completed items and contractual issues.
Be sure to retain all documents and correspondence surrounding your home purchase to use as support material if there is a concern (or if a claim submission is required).
Alberta and British Columbia
If your home is in Alberta or British Columbia, resources are available to assist you in determining if your concern might be covered by your home warranty insurance.
Alberta: Residential Protection Program Construction Performance Guide for New Home Warranty
British Columbia: Residential Construction Performance Guide
Do you have the right protection?
RetreatLife’s water protection bundles provide extensive coverage for your cottage or cabin as well as your belongings. We offer 2 optional water protection packages to choose from. Which one is right for you?
Contact your insurance representative to find out which options are available, and the right coverage for you.
Water Protection Basic
- Service Line
- Sewer Backup
Water Protection Plus
- Service Line
- Sewer Backup
- Overland Water
Basic water coverage
Included in every home policy
- Water damage caused by common issues
- Water damage caused by sewer backup and overland water
Service line
Included in Water Protection Basic/Plus
- Water damage caused by failed service lines including the following underground service lines
- Sewer/septic lines
- Watermain
- Electrical
- Telecommunications
- Geothermal plumbing (Ground loop piping)
Sewer backup
Included in Water Protection Basic/Plus
- Water damage caused by the backup or escape of water or sewage from a sewer, septic system, or sump pump
- Any water damage if overland water has entered your home and you don’t have overland water coverage
Overland water
Included in Water Protection Plus only
- Water damage caused by water entering your property due to:
- Overflow of any body of fresh water such as lakes and rivers
- Sudden accumulation or run-off of surface waters, including torrential rainfall or spring thaw
- Sudden and accidental entrance through basement walls, foundations or floors of ground water
- Flood (e.g. coastal flooding from salt water, such as tsunamis and tidal waves)
- Any intentional breaches of man-made structures (e.g. when the authorities intentionally open dams, dikes, or levees to ease the build up of water)
Contact your insurance representative to find out which options are available, and the right coverage for you.
When to file a claim
You can file a claim at any time, however, we encourage you to work with your builder to resolve your concerns. You should file a claim if:
- Your home warranty coverage has not expired,
- Your reporting period to file a claim has not passed, and
- Your builder was unable to resolve your concerns within a reasonable amount of time
How to file a claim
To submit a claim for a warranted defect, you must provide written notice to both Aviva Insurance Company of Canada and your builder.
Download the Claim Submission Form for ease of reporting and claim handling. You can submit your claim to Aviva home warranty claims via:
Email: hwclaimscanada@aviva.com,
Mail: 10 Aviva Way, Suite 100, Markham, Ontario L6G 0G1
What to include in your Claim Submission
If you are not using the Aviva Claim Submission Form, ensure that your submission includes:
- Your policy number
- Your full name
- Your home address
- Your phone number
- Your e-mail address
- A detailed description of each item being claimed, including the specific location in the home
- Any other relevant details
If you own a home in a multi-family condo building and you believe there may be defect claims relating to the common property* please notify your condo council and/or your property manager so that they can submit a claim on your behalf. If you are a property manager submitting a claim on behalf of a multi-family strata building council, please follow the above procedure.
Additional information, including the Maintenance Manual, can be found on the National Home Warranty’s, website www.nationalhomewarranty.com
Additional electric vehicle benefits
With Aviva’s EV commitment, you can enjoy these added benefits when you insure your vehicle with us.
Free towing for EVs that run out of charge
EV owners insured with Aviva enjoy up to 5 complimentary towing services per year. We’ll tow any fully electric car to the nearest charging station (up to a maximum of 200km per tow) when the battery runs out of charge on the roadside.
Towing is not available for hybrids or plug-in hybrids and doesn’t provide any additional roadside services outside of dead battery towing.
This offer may end or change at any time without notice.
Electric vehicle subsidy after a total loss2
Take charge of your carbon footprint with your next vehicle. If you’re an Aviva customer who experiences a covered total loss and chooses to replace your gas-powered or hybrid vehicle with a new EV, we’ll pay a $2,000 subsidy to help you with your next purchase.
This offer may end or change at any time without notice.
Optional coverages
Need enhanced coverage? Enjoy the same Aviva car insurance optional add-on coverages for your EV or Hybrid vehicle.
The availability of these add-ons varies by province. Contact your insurance representative to learn more about your options and which additional coverages are suitable for your needs.
Ride-sharing
Need enhanced coverage? Enjoy the same Aviva car insurance optional add-on coverages for your EV or Hybrid vehicle.
The availability of these add-ons varies by province. Contact your insurance representative to learn more about your options and which additional coverages are suitable for your needs
Coverage for transportation replacement
Helps provide coverage for you when you need to pay for other means of transportation because of a covered loss.
Conviction protector
Avoid paying more for your car insurance if you get a minor driving conviction, such as disobeying traffic signs or prohibited turns.
Collision protection
Protect your vehicle if it’s damaged in a car accident with this valuable add-on feature.
Comprehensive coverage
Safeguard against damage not caused by a collision, including theft, vandalism, falling objects, and more.
Disappearing deductible
Add this benefit to your car insurance policy and we’ll reduce your deductible every year you don’t make a claim.
Accident rating waiver
This would protect the driving record of the automobile from being affected by the first at-fault accident.
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Acting on climate change
We are helping our customers, our people and our business tackle climate change and create a brighter future. Building on our climate work over the last three decades, Aviva Canada is contributing to the most ambitious carbon reduction plan of any major insurer in the world today.
As an insurer, we can influence customer behaviour through the range of products and coverage we offer. To support the transition to a low-carbon economy, we continue to provide and develop climate-conscious products and services that reward customers for environmentally responsible actions and help to build resiliency in the face of extreme weather events and disasters.
“We’re offering products to enable customers to get on the net-zero journey – their homes, vehicles and businesses. It will take all of us to tackle climate change and Aviva is here to support Canadians and our communities through it.” - Phil Gibson, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Personal Insurance
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The content on this page is for information purposes only. The insurance products described herein are underwritten by Aviva General Insurance Company, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada, Elite Insurance Company, S&Y Insurance Company, Scottish & York Insurance Co. Limited, and Traders General Insurance Company. These underwriting companies are subsidiaries of Aviva Canada Inc. The insurance products described herein are subject to eligibility, terms, conditions, restrictions and exclusions. Pricing varies by province or territory. For more details concerning any of the insurance products, please speak with your Aviva insurance representative.
1 Electric Vehicle and Hybrid Vehicle Discount: The discount varies based on the province and territory the policy is written. Start date of availability varies between distribution channels.
2 Electric Vehicle Subsidy After Total Loss: Must be an existing Aviva customer who has experienced a covered total loss after September 1, 2022. Subsidy must be claimed within 90 days from the settlement offer date of your covered loss. Proof of purchase of your electric vehicle is required (ex. bill of sale, lease or finance agreement) and provided to Aviva. You must be the original owner of the electric vehicle and it must have less than 5,000 km at the time of delivery. This offer may end or change at any time without notice.