Hurricane Earl and insurance: What consumers need to know

HALIFAX, Sept. 3 /CNW/ - With Hurricane Earl expected to reach southern Nova Scotia Saturday morning and affect the Maritimes, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is informing consumers about what they need to know if they are affected by the hurricane.

    
    IBC reminds consumers:

    -   First and foremost, make sure you and your family are safe.
    -   In the event of a power outage, homeowners should exercise extreme
        caution with the use of candles.
    -   If safe to do so, protect your property from further damage.
    -   Contact your insurance representative as soon as possible to discuss
        coverage and deductibles and to report damage claims.
    -   To facilitate claims processing, homeowners should document all
        property losses.
    

"Home, car and business insurers will have extra staff and resources available to help Atlantic Canadians bring their lives back to normal as quickly as possible following the hurricane," said Bill Adams, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC.

Many home and business insurance policies will cover damage caused by wind, including broken windows. Auto policies also cover wind damage if comprehensive coverage has been purchased. Water damage is covered in some cases. If you have a homeowner's or tenant's policy, it is likely that you will be covered for additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable.

Because policy coverages vary, consumers should contact their insurance representatives as soon as possible. For additional information, policyholders may also contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-800-565-7189 ext. 227 or 228.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

For further information: Pete Karageorgos at 416-362-2031 ext. 4329 or cell 416-524-7240