MARCH 20, 2015
TORONTO, CANADA (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
With the late winter thaw happening around the country, to
be followed by the spring and summer rains, Aviva Canada Inc., one of the
country's leading providers of home, auto, leisure and business insurance, is
encouraging Canadians to take steps to protect their property from water
damage.
"2013 was our worst year for water damage in part due
to flooding in Alberta and Toronto," states Sharon Ludlow, President,
Aviva Insurance Company of Canada. "But it is important to note that water
damage is steadily increasing in terms of the number and cost of claims, and
that homeowners and tenants can take steps to protect themselves from
loss."
In 2014, water damage claims accounted for 44% of dollars
paid out on all Aviva Canada property damage claims, compared with 39% in 2004.
The average cost per residential water damage claim has increased significantly
– going from $11,709 in 2004 to $16,070 in 2014, a 37% increase.
Aviva Canada paid out $180 million in water damage claims in
2014, a 189% increase versus 2004 and a 57% increase versus 2012. A comparison
of the average cost of water damage claims by province is included below (in
2004 Edmonton experienced what was the province's worst overland flooding event
in its history, explaining the negative comparison number for AB).
"The reasons for the upward trend are rather
simple," commented Ludlow. "The increasing investment Canadians are
putting into their basements, combined with more frequent severe weather events
and an aging sewer system that is unable to deal with large amounts of water
within a short time period, results in a lot of homes experiencing
damage."
It's not just Aviva Canada data that highlights the rise in
water damage issue, weather data shows our country is getting wetter. Average
yearly rainfall in Canada has increased by 12% in the past 60 years, with 20
more days of rain a year than the 1950s. And catastrophes like overland
flooding are on the increase. According to Environment Canada, severe weather
events that used to happen every 40 years can now be expected to happen every
six years.
Overland water
protection coverage is coming
This past February, Aviva Canada announced an insurance
industry first – overland water protection for residential property owners and
tenants across Canada. While many Canadians are covered for sewer back-up and
damage caused by burst pipes, residential overland water damage protection has
not previously existed. Available as an endorsement to personal property
insurance policies that have sewer back-up protection in place – Aviva Canada's
overland water damage coverage will be launched in Alberta and Ontario in May,
and then rolled out to other provinces throughout 2015.
Steps Canadians should take this spring to safeguard their
homes and possessions from water damage are:
1.
Get coverage for overland water damage: As noted
above, Aviva Canada recently introduced an overland water protection product
that will be available this year.
2.
View our quick video: The video contains many of
the tips included below and can easily be shared.
3.
Inspect your roof: To prevent leaks, get the
roof inspected every few years to check the condition of the shingles and
replace when necessary.
4.
Clear out gutters: Prevent blockages, such as
leaves and other debris that could force water into your home.
5.
Install a backwater valve: These valves close
automatically if the sewer backs up and can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
6.
Scope out your sump pump: If your basement has
one, examine it and conduct a test run if it doesn't get used frequently.
7.
Slope right: Ensure that soil, walkways and
patios slope away from the home to allow for proper drainage.
8.
Check your foundation: As ice melts, if you
notice water pooling in certain areas, clear it away from your home.
9.
Ensure your window wells are debris-free: Clear
any accumulated garbage or leaves to allow water to drain properly.
10.
Ensure street catch basins are not blocked: These
prevent snow from building up on the street level, protecting water from
seeping towards your property.
11.
Protect your valuables: If your home is prone to
water damage, consider moving valuables away from high-risk areas such as the
basement, or place items on high shelves or risers.
12.
Start right: If you are finishing your basement,
make sure to seal your exterior walls.
Without taking such precautions, homeowners could put their
homes and family belongings at great risk.
Canadians are encouraged to reach out to their insurance
broker to make sure they know the extent of their water damage coverage.
About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty
insurance groups in Canada providing home, auto and business insurance to more
than three million customers. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
UK-based Aviva plc and has more than 3,000 employees, 25 locations and 1,700
independent broker partners. 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
$5.5 million to over 100 communities nationwide.
For more information about Aviva Canada, visit AvivaCanada.com,
our blog or our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.