'We couldn’t prepare for this': Insurance claims on the rise post-Fiona
The damage to Kathy Ingram MacKinnon’s property in Neil’s Harbour makes her thankful she has insurance.
"But we couldn’t prepare for this,” said MacKinnon.
Insurance credit rating experts predict Fiona could produce insurance claims totalling $700 million in Atlantic Canada.
“There are so many claims in, they are not sure when they are able to come," said MacKinnon. "So we are in limbo.”
According to insurance industry expert Kelsey Hawke, extreme weather events often provide an insurance jolt for many property owners.
“People don’t often consider what they are covered for and what insurance they have until they actually need to use it,” said Hawke, who added in Canada specific natural disaster insurance coverage does not exist. “There is coverage for wind damage which usually encompasses things like hurricanes, tornadoes in any results and water damage.”
There are different levels of water damage insurance.
“That are above and beyond standard coverage on an insurance policy," said Hawke who also noted this means some water and storm surge damage, might not be covered.
As he scans his West End Halifax neighbourhood, Richard MacLean is already looking ahead at strategies to better prepare for the next major storm.
"You don’t want to have an insurance claim,” said MacLean.
Which is why he wants more prep work done in advance of hurricanes and tropical storms, to thin trees and not plant them so close to homes and power lines.
“You have to make sure that there are no trees that are going to hit your house," said MacLean. "And no trees that are going to hit a power line and those are things we have to take into account.”
MacLean said, in his opinion, these are the best ways to minimize damage and insurance claims brought on by major storms.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
BREAKING Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Australia's richest woman seeks removal of her portrait from exhibition
Art is subjective. And while many artists long to share their work with the world, there's no guarantee that the audience will understand it, or even like it.
Person charged in random assault on actor Steve Buscemi in New York
A person wanted in connection with the random assault on actor Steve Buscemi on a New York City street earlier this month was taken into custody Friday, police said.