Heavy rains expected? Minimize potential damage

Are heavy rains, strong winds, or other storms forecast? Take precautions and protect your home by taking a few simple steps to reduce or minimize damage.

Prevention tips 

Before the bad weather arrives, take the time to follow these tips:

• Check that doors and windows are properly sealed and close them securely;
• Ensure that gutters are properly connected and clear of debris;
• Put away garden furniture and other outdoor items; 
• Securely fasten any outdoor decorations;
• Move valuable items from the basement to a higher level;
• Reduce water use in your home during and immediately after heavy rains (by avoiding using the washing machine or dishwasher, for example) to avoid overloading the sewers.

What about insurance coverage?

Damage caused by water infiltration through the roof, sewer backup, windows, doors, foundations or flooding due to the overflow of a waterway is only covered if you have added the endorsement to your contract. 

Each endorsement provides additional protection for specific situations, described below, and comes with a separate coverage amount distinct from that of the main policy. It is therefore important for each policyholder to check for the presence of endorsements and the available coverage amount. 

1. Water damage - Groundwater and sewer covers:

• Water from leaks, overflows or backups of French drains or sewers;
• Ground or surface water entering or seeping into the building. 

2. Water damage – Groundwater, sewers and overflow of a body of water covers:

• Water resulting from the overflow of a river;

3. Water Damage – Above ground water covers:

• Water seeping in through the roof, walls, doors, and windows. 

To learn more about water damage and insurance coverage, explore the interactive house and discover what is covered under a basic policy or by endorsement.

Other topics that might interest you:

• What to do at the time of the loss?
• Does insurance cover water infiltration?
• Flash floods and torrential rains
• More and more water damage
• All on high winds and insurance