Insurance Bureau of Canada flood precaution tips for Thompson Okanagan Region Residents

VANCOUVER, May 28, 2014 /CNW/ - In response to the potential flooding in the Upper Clearwater area in B.C., an evacuation alert has been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) encourages residents to take precautions including:

• Ensure that you and your family are safe.
• Review your insurance policies – call your insurance professional if you have questions about your coverage.
• Damage to vehicles from water is usually covered on an auto insurance policy if comprehensive or all perils coverage has been purchased. This coverage is not mandatory, so check your policy.
• Assemble an emergency kit: flashlight and batteries, battery-operated radio, etc.  
• Move valuable items from your basement to higher levels in your home.
• Clear eavestroughs and downspouts – if safe to do so – to direct water away from your home.
• Ask someone to check your property if you are away.

"We encourage people to be safe and have appropriate plans in place to deal with a potential flood event," said Bill Adams, IBC VP Western & Pacific. "If residents have questions about their insurance coverage, they should contact their insurance representative.  Anyone with questions regarding their home, auto or business insurance can contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre or visit ibc.ca.  We're here to help."

IBC's Consumer Information Centre is available at 1-877-772-3777.   

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $46 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Steve Kee, Director, Media & Digital Communications, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 x-4387 (daytime), 416-841-5669 (after hours), [email protected]