- Nearly 50% of damage is related to sanitary installations in the home.
- A third of damages is linked to sewer backups and infiltrations.
- $12,384: average cost of a claim due to water damage
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2019
Intense and frequent heavy rains, aging infrastructure, broken sanitary appliances and fixtures, all these factors contribute to raising water damage-related losses in homes.
In fact, for the past 10 years, water damage has become the leading cause of home insurance claims: water seepage through the roof or windows, sewer back-up, spring floods, overflowing bathtubs, leaking water heaters, etc. In 2019, 47% of claims paid out in home insurance were for water damage.
We all bear the brunt of nature's rages. However, there are ways you can protect yourself and ensure that the vagaries of Mother Nature have less of an impact on our homes.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada, 2019
The basic home insurance policy usually covers some perils related to water damage. As a general rule, this represents damage caused inside the home, including overflowing sanitary fixtures or appliances (washing machine, toilet, bathtub, dishwasher, etc.)
Other types of damage can be insured by adding extra coverage under the policy. This is the case for damage caused from outside the home, such as seepage, sewer back-up and flooding.
Find out more about covered perils.
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