Over $600 million in insurance claims after Toronto flash floods

For many people across the GTA the past week has indeed been a trying one. After an incredible storm lashed the city with flash rains on Monday, July 8th , a large portion of Toronto and surrounding communities was left submerged completely under water. Hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power, some for nearly 48 hours, with many other properties across the city seeing extensive damage.

In situations like these, its always important to try to see the positive: No deaths were reported in last week’s storm, and overall the city handled the tragedy very well with most of our infrastructure back up and running within 24- 48 hours. However, it cannot be understated the severe degree of loss that many families have experienced over the past week, many of whom are still trying to pick-up the pieces from properties that have been completely destroyed.

                               

A recent article in the Globe and Mail suggested that insurance claims following the disaster could be in excess of $600 million dollars! Talk about collateral damage! I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips about home insurance in Ontario with respect to flooding, as well as some advice on how you can minimize risk of damage to your home in the event of future catastrophes.

First of all, and maybe to your surprise, water damage and flooding caused by acts of God such as torrential downpours and hurricanes are typically not covered under the average policy; however, sewer backups in urban areas are. Many of the homes affected by last week’s flood are still completely uninhabitable as a result of raw sewage mixed with rainwater literally up to residents’ knees.

And while there is often no way of knowing when disaster like this is going to strike, there are safeguards that the average homeowner can take to protect their property and belongings:

- An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure- Did you clean your eave troughs and downspouts this spring? Are they directed away from your home to appropriately sloped areas? Have you experienced flooding before? If so, maybe it’s time to consider building a retaining wall or installing a sump pump. Ensuring that windows can be properly sealed can also prevent severe damage.

- Install check valves on interior plumbing and sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into your home. As a last resort, corks and other makeshift plugs placed in drains of tubs, basins and sinks have also been known to work for preventing backups.

- Always ensure that basement drains are free from debris, and are not covered by area rugs, furniture or other items that could prevent them from working properly.

- Keep valuable items OFF the floor. A lot of us keep old mementos and personal items in our basements as ‘storage’. Consider using sealed plastic bins as opposed to cardboard boxes, and if possible, keep them elevated on plastic shelving as well. The less items being stored on the floor mean the less items lost during a flood.

On top of all this, always remember that personal safety always comes before objects and possessions. Never risk your own well-being at the sake of saving old photos, clothing or keepsakes, and be sure to take the time to have a disaster kit ready and easily accessible for when emergencies do strike.

If you were personally affected by the recent floods here in the GTA, we’re sending heartfelt sympathies and wishes your way for a fast recovery. We also welcome you to share your feedback about the storm, any damage that was caused to your property, and how you are picking up the pieces. Your contributions are always valued and appreciated!

All the best,

The Stuart Sinclair Team

www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com