Toronto Flood Causes over $80 Million in Insured Damage
TORONTO, Sept. 7, 2018 /CNW/ - A month ago today, a thunderstorm produced 72 mm of rain over Toronto, with 51 mm falling in just one hour. The rainfall caused extensive flooding across western and central parts of the city and resulted in over $80 million in insured damage.
Severe weather across Ontario has caused close to $1 billion in insured damage so far in 2018, according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. A large part of this amount is due to an early-May windstorm that caused over $500 million in damage. The most costly insured severe weather event of all time for Ontario remains the 2013 Toronto floods, which caused almost $1 billion in damage.
The August storm resulted in flooding at Toronto's City Hall, in the Scotiabank Arena during a concert, in parts of Union Station and in the Rogers Centre parking garage, in addition to water seeping through the Rogers Centre roof during a baseball game. Many underground parking garages flooded, and there were numerous reports of submerged vehicles, basement flooding and sewer backups.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reminds consumers to be insurance aware and to check what your policy covers before severe weather occurs. Ask your insurance representative about what coverage is included or what coverage you need to add, like overland flood coverage, for example. Consumers who have insurance questions can also call IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.
To learn how to protect your property against floods and other disasters, visit IBC's website.
Quote
"The recent Toronto flood is yet another example of an increase in severe weather events across the country. As a direct result of climate change these flooding events are occurring more frequently and with greater intensity, with escalating costs to both taxpayers and insurers."
"Flooding can cause significant damage in a very short amount of time. It is critically important for consumers to know what their policies cover and whether they provide sewer backup or overland flood protection. Sewer backup coverage is widely available as an add-on to most standard home insurance policies. Overland flood protection is available across the province from several insurers. People who live in areas prone to frequent floods may run into difficulty finding affordable coverage. Consumers should check with their insurance representatives to see what options are available to them."
– Kim Donaldson, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC
Key Facts
In 2018, severe weather events in Ontario have resulted in close to $1 billion in insured damage.
- January: A winter storm in northern, southwestern and eastern Ontario caused $9 million in insured damage.
- February: A winter storm in Brantford, Cambridge, the Greater Toronto Area and London caused more than $46 million in insured damage.
- April: A storm in southern Ontario resulted in over $80 million in insured damage.
- April: A storm that hit the Greater Toronto Area, Leamington, Hamilton, Kitchener/Guelph/Waterloo, London/Chatham-Kent and Ottawa-Gatineau resulted in close to $220 million in insured damage.
- May: A wind and rain storm hit Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area causing over $500 million in insured damage.
- August: The rainstorm in Toronto resulted in over $80 million in insured damage.
Additional Resources
IBC.ca – disasters and severe weather
IBC.ca – preparing for severe weather season by season
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.
P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 126,000 Canadians, pays $9 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $54.7 billion.
For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Ontario or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.
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: Vanessa Barrasa, Manager, Media Relations, 416-550-6092, [email protected]
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