It’s been pouring. Your neighbour’s basement is flooded–two feet of water and counting. Think their insurer will cover the damage? Maybe it all comes down to the coverage they added (or not) to their home insurance policy to protect themselves.
What your home insurance actually covers
A standard home insurance policy protects you against some types of water damage:
- A leaking toilet
- An overflowing bathtub
- A leaking washing machine
But not everything is included by default. Some types of risks require additional coverage:
- Sewer backups
- Water seepage
- Flood
If heavy rain seeps in through your roof, you may be eligible for compensation if you took out “Water damage–Above ground water” coverage.
If flooding happens in Quebec
If you don’t have the necessary coverage–or if your policy doesn’t fully cover your losses–you may be able to get support through the General Financial Assistance Program Regarding Disasters. Other assistance measures are available depending on the province.
How to check your policy
Call your insurer to review your exclusions, endorsements and benefit amounts.
Confirm your coverage amounts
What you can do
You can’t control the weather, but you can be prepared:
- Clean your gutters and window wells
- Check the seal of your doors and windows
with a garden hose. - Make sure downspouts direct water away
from your home. - Adjust the slope of your yard if needed.
- Keep flood barriers and sandbags on hand
during flood warnings.
