Rainy Days Are Here – What To Do?
No matter how prepared you think you are for extreme weather, Mother Nature never ceases to amaze when it actually happens. The force of rain and hailstorms can be devastating, as we have already seen this year in Ontario and BC. If you’ve already felt the impact and need to make a claim or find more information, visit our customer service page.
You may have caught my post on getting prepared for the season a little earlier, but if not, it’s not too late. The reality is that the rainy season is just beginning and we haven’t even seen the hail yet. So don’t delay, let’s get started!
Get outside:
- Make sure downspouts are properly installed and being used for rainy days. They should extend at least six feet away from your home towards the street or backyard.
- Clear debris three to five feet away from the foundation of your home so water has a way to escape.
- Ensure that your lot is properly graded, so that water effectively drains away from basement walls.
- Consider landscaping with plants and ground cover that resists soil erosion, to help maintain proper grading.
Inside your home:
- Prepare a 72-hour, family emergency kit; find out how here.
- Rainy days can ruin valuables. Keep valuable items on the upper floors of your home away from the basement.
- Store important documents such as wills, deeds, and other such item off site. Renting a safe deposit box is a good investment.
- For the items you do store in the basement, package them in water resistant plastic containers and try to keep them off the ground on secured shelving.
- Install backflow valves for sewage lines to prevent sewer back up should the lines get overwhelmed in a flood. There may be permits required for this job, it’s a good idea to have professional look after this task.
- Consider installing a sump pump if you’ve ever experienced water issues in your basement with even mild rains. Small amounts of water may not seem like an issue, especially in an undeveloped basement, but let’s not forget about the risk of mold the dampness brings – damaging your health and your home.
These are just a few of the precautions to consider for rainy days, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has prepared this resource with a few more details and ideas, you can download it here.
I’m prepared, but now what?
Being prepared means you’ll mitigate your potential loss, but some things are in fact out of your control. Now is the time to review your insurance coverage. Did you know that sewer backup and overland flood coverage are not automatically included on all home policies? Do you know if it’s included in your policy? Don’t wait for a loss to find out, check your policy. Better yet call your advisor. The InsureMy team have always been particularly patient with me; send them a note if you have a question about your policy even if it’s not theirs – really, they are that helpful.
Want to know more? Review these sources and resources.
Government of Canada – Regional information about preparedness
Have More Questions?
Let me know and I’ll do my best to address it here for you and all of our readers. Better yet, contact an InsureMy advisor; these guys know their stuff. Email Info@InsureMy.ca or give them a call locally at (403) 410-1896 or toll free at 1-844-410-1896.
Everyday Insurance With Allie
Working mom, lover of the great outdoors and self-professed know-it-all. Our resident blogger, Allie isn’t the insurance guru she claims to be – but she’s learning and we are happy to help guide her. All the while keeping you in the loop on the “insurancey” stuff you need to know. #AskAllie
