Over a fortnight has passed since a team dispatched by Terry Davison’s insurance provider visited his residence in St. Catharines, Ontario, to assess and secure his possessions contaminated by sewage during the flooding and sewer backup in July. Despite successful initial contact after the first storm, Davison faced difficulties reaching his adjuster following a subsequent storm on August 3. Communication attempts, including emails and calls, went unanswered, leaving Davison worried about the impact of the unaddressed sewage contamination and lack of air conditioning on his health condition.
Awaiting the insurer’s restoration team to verify the damage to his furnace and hot water tanks before replacement, Davison found himself in a dilemma. Should he wait for the company’s assessment and coverage confirmation, or hire a private contractor, risking potential out-of-pocket expenses if the insurer denies coverage? Anne Marie Thomas from the Insurance Bureau of Canada advised documenting all damage extensively and providing detailed estimates to facilitate claim processing amid the surge in claims post-disaster.
Thomas emphasized that policyholders should ensure coverage for risks like sewer backup and overland flooding, which may not be included in standard policies. These coverage options, as highlighted by David Mayer from Rates.ca, are crucial add-ons that can prevent financial setbacks in unforeseen events. Additionally, tenants are advised to acquire renter’s insurance to protect personal belongings and cover evacuation-related costs not typically covered by landlord policies.
In cases of unresponsive adjusters, escalating claims to supervisors or seeking assistance from internal ombudspersons is recommended. Thomas suggested utilizing the dispute resolution processes provided by insurance companies and external organizations like the General Insurance OmbudService if necessary for resolving complaints.