With the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, particularly in regions like British Columbia, homeowners living in vulnerable areas should be well-prepared. Wildfires can cause extensive damage, and understanding how home insurance can protect you is crucial. This article delves into the specifics of home insurance coverage related to forest fires and offers practical tips for preparation and action during wildfire season.
Understanding Wildfire Coverage in Home Insurance
Home insurance typically includes coverage for wildfire damage, providing financial protection against the devastating effects of fire. Most home insurance policies cover:
- Fire Damage: Direct damage to your property caused by wildfire flames.
- Smoke Damage: Damage resulting from smoke infiltration, which can affect the structural integrity and air quality of your home.
- Firefighting Efforts: Damage caused by fire retardants and water used by firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
Key Coverage Areas in Home Insurance
Home insurance policies encompass various coverage areas essential for protecting homeowners during a wildfire such as:
Property Damage
Your home insurance policy will generally cover:
- Fire and Smoke Damage: This includes the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing damaged personal property.
- Fire Retardants Damage: Costs associated with cleaning and repairing damage caused by fire retardants used during firefighting efforts.
Mass Evacuation Coverage
In the event of a mass evacuation, home insurance often covers additional living expenses, including:
- Temporary Accommodation: Costs for hotels, rentals, or other temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable.
- Moving Costs: Expenses related to moving your belongings to a safe location.
- Meals and Laundry: Additional costs incurred for meals and laundry services while displaced.
- Pet Accommodation: Costs for housing pets if they cannot stay with you.
Personal Belongings
In most cases, home insurance policies usually cover personal belongings, including items that are damaged or lost due to the wildfire even if they weren’t at your home at the time, or food spoilage that any power outages could have caused.
As always, it is important to know what is and isn’t covered within your home insurance policy in the event you need to make a claim.
Preparing for Wildfire Season
Preparation is key to minimizing damage and ensuring safety during wildfire season.
Emergency Planning
Develop and practice an emergency plan with your family. This plan should include evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication strategies.
Emergency Kits
Build and customize emergency kits for your home, vehicle, and workplace. These kits should include:
- Non-perishable food and water
- First aid supplies
- Flashlights and batteries
- Important documents and contact information
- Clothing and personal hygiene items
Defensible Space Around Home
Create a defensible space around your home to reduce fire risk. This includes:
Clearing a 10-metre area around your home of flammable materials.
Maintaining your property by trimming trees and bushes.
Removing dead vegetation and debris.
Insurance Readiness
Ensure your insurance policies are up-to-date and reflect the current value of your home and belongings. Document your valuables and policy details to facilitate a smooth claims process if needed.
What To Do If There’s a Wildfire Near You
If a wildfire is threatening your area, take immediate action to protect yourself and your property.
Stay Informed
Use mobile apps and local news sources to stay updated with real-time wildfire information.
Evacuation Preparation
Prepare for evacuation by packing essentials such as medications, important documents, clothing, and personal items. Additionally, making your home visible for emergency responders by keeping outdoor lights on and unlocking doors and gates is always helpful to the first responders.
Evacuation Execution
When evacuation orders are issued:
- Ensure your vehicle is ready with a full tank of gas.
- Follow evacuation routes and instructions from authorities.
- Track all expenses related to evacuation for insurance claims.
Special Considerations and FAQs
Government Assistance
In addition to insurance, the government may provide assistance for costs not covered by your policy. Check local and federal resources for available aid.
Increasing Coverage
It’s important to note that during an active wildfire threat, there may be limitations on increasing your existing coverage or purchasing new policies. Plan ahead and review your coverage well before wildfire season.
Common Myths
One common myth is that wildfires are considered “acts of god” and thus not covered by insurance. However, most home insurance policies do include coverage for wildfire damage.
Filing a Claim
If your home is damaged by a wildfire, follow these steps to file a claim:
- Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible.
- Document the damage with photos and videos.
- Keep receipts for any expenses related to evacuation and temporary living arrangements.
- Provide detailed information about the damage and the steps you’ve taken.
Understanding and preparing for wildfire coverage is essential for safeguarding your home and family. Regularly review and update your insurance policies to ensure adequate protection. For further assistance and inquiries, contact your insurance broker to get expert advice tailored to your needs.
If you are in need of a Home Insurance Policy, or want to ensure you are adequately covered for wildfire season, contact us today and one of our brokers would be happy to help!
