Another Industry First - Aviva Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction create free emergency preparedness mobile app

Customizable new app will help Canadians prepare for natural disasters, including severe weather and earthquakes

TORONTO, April 26, 2016 /CNW/ - Aviva Canada is pleased to announce another industry first with the launch of the Plan & Protect mobile app in partnership with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), a world-class centre for disaster prevention research and communications. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada's 2015 Fact Book (page 16), for the past six consecutive years, insured losses caused by large natural catastrophes have been around or over $1 billion. By comparison, insured losses averaged $400 million a year over the 25-year period from 1983 to 2008.

The free app can be downloaded to mobile devices where users will receive personalized information to help them prepare for natural disasters, including severe weather and earthquakes. For the first 10,000 app downloads, Aviva Canada will donate $5 for each download to the Canadian Red Cross to help communities affected by disasters.

"As one of the leading insurers in Canada, we see the devastating impact of severe weather and natural disasters firsthand," says Irene Bianchi, EVP National Claims, Aviva Canada. "We're excited to partner with the ICLR to help people prepare for the unexpected. Canadians who download the Plan & Protect app will have the information they need to protect their family and homes, even if wifi isn't available."

Now available from the App Store and Google Play, the Plan & Protect app is available in English or French and compatible with both Apple and Android devices in support of national Emergency Preparedness Week (May 1-7).   

Once users download the app, they can easily create a profile and answer a brief set of questions that will determine their level of vulnerability to Canada's five most common perils – floods, wildfires, severe wind, winter storms and earthquakes. All information is tailored to the user's location by postal code and can be used to plan and prepare in case of an emergency. The app provides users with practical resources such as:

• a personalized risk report that is specific to their location,
• alerts and notifications tailored to their emergency needs,
• useful tips and information that can be used to protect people and property in the event of a natural disaster, and
• a customized list of items to include in their 72-hour emergency kit.

The Plan & Protect app can also store home and auto insurance policies. In the event of an emergency, users can access all app content and policy information without an Internet or data connection. Users will receive vital information about what to do before, during and after an emergency as well as seasonal preparedness tips throughout the year.

"We share a common goal with Aviva Canada – to protect Canadians and educate them about disaster prevention and emergency preparedness," says Glenn McGillivray, Managing Director, ICLR. "We're proud to be involved in a partnership that will help Canadians and provide them with the information they need to prepare for natural disasters, whether caused by a severe storm or a devastating earthquake.  Together we can control the damage caused by natural hazards and build more resilient communities."

App video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-uLqGh1L3I

About Aviva Canada
Aviva Canada is one of the leading property and casualty insurance groups in the country providing home, automobile, leisure/lifestyle and business insurance to more than three million customers. A wholly-owned subsidiary of UK-based Aviva plc, the company has more than 3,000 employees, 25 locations and approximately 1,500 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 $6.5 million to over 222 charities and community groups nationwide.

For more information visit AvivaCanada.com, our blog or our Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

About the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR)
Established in 1998 by Canada's property and casualty insurers, ICLR is an independent, not-for-profit research institute based in Toronto and at Western University in London, Canada. ICLR is a centre of excellence for disaster loss prevention research and education. ICLR's research staff is internationally recognized for pioneering work in a number of fields including wind and seismic engineering, atmospheric sciences, water resources engineering and economics. Multi-disciplined research is a foundation for ICLR's work to build communities more resilient to disasters.

For more information about the ICLR, visit www.iclr.org.

SOURCE Aviva Canada Inc.

Video with caption: "Video: Aviva Canada and the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction create free emergency preparedness mobile app". Video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-uLqGh1L3I

Media Contacts: Priscilla Wong, Public Relations Specialist, Aviva Canada Inc., Desk: 416-288-6780, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]; Glenn McGillivray, Managing Director, The Institute of Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Desk: 416-364-8677, ext. 3216, Mobile: [phone], [email protected]