Insurance Bureau of Canada tips for Manitoba residents dealing with flooding issues

WINNIPEG, June 22, 2014 /CNW/ - With heavy rainfall resulting in basement flooding in Winnipeg and Brandon, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reminds residents that damage as a result of sewer back-up may be covered by home insurance policies but this coverage must be purchased as an add-on to a home insurance policy. 

Damage caused by overland flooding and ground seepage is not generally covered by home insurance policies in Canada.  Overland flooding usually occurs when bodies of water, such as rivers, dams and other watercourses, overflow onto dry land and cause damage.

IBC offers these tips to prevent further damage:

• Review your insurance policies – call your insurance professional if you have questions about your coverage.
• Move valuable items from your basement to higher levels in your home.
• Clear eaves troughs 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 have appropriate plans in place to deal with flooding and water in their basement," said Bill Adams, IBC Vice-President, 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 also contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre or visit ibc.ca.  We're here to help."

Call IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-877-772-3777 ext. 222

Further information is available at - http://winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste/drainageFlooding/default.stm

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 and levies 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 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: Daniel McIntyre, Media Relations Intern, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312, [email protected]; Sally Turney, Director, Corporate Communications & Events, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4325, [email protected]