Insurance Bureau of Canada urges residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to stay safe in the face of Hurricane Leslie

HALIFAX, Sept. 10, 2012 /CNW/ - As Hurricane Leslie gathers strength and pushes toward Newfoundland and Labrador, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) encourages residents to stay safe.

"With Hurricane Leslie affecting many areas in Newfoundland and Labrador and heavy rain and high winds expected to begin hitting the island overnight, ensuring you and your family are safe indoors should be everyone's first priority," said Bill Adams, Vice-President, Atlantic, IBC.  "While the path is expected to head towards the Avalon area of Newfoundland, we can expect heavy rains across all of Atlantic Canada."

IBC is encouraging Newfoundlanders in the path of Hurricane Leslie to:

• Stay safe and remain indoors.
• If your property has suffered insured damage, contact your insurance representative after the storm passes.
• If it safe to do so, mitigate against further damage after the storm passes.
• Remove specific items around the house like loose building materials or deck furniture, outdoor trampolines, flowers pots, etc.
• Remember that overland flooding from rivers, streams or other bodies of water resulting in damage to homes is not covered in policies.  Sewer backup is, if you have that particular coverage.

"We also urge homeowners to ensure they have the contact information for their insurance representative readily available," added Adams. "If you need to make a claim, it's best to initiate the process as soon as possible."

If consumers have questions about their insurance coverage, they are urged to speak to their own insurance representative, or to contact IBC's Atlantic Consumer Information Centre at 1-800-565-7189 x. 227 or 228, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ADT).

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 114,000 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

To view media releases and information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca and for IBC on Twitter follow @insurancebureau.

SOURCE: INSURANCE BUREAU OF CANADA

For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact:

Helen Lialias 
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 X-4312
[email protected]