In wake of windstorm, IBC advises Alberta residents

Recently, southern Alberta residents were hit with a violent windstorm that generated gusts in excess of 100 kilometres per hour and forced dozens of residents to evacuate their homes. With these people in mind, the Insurance Bureau of Canada is supplying them with tips for what they should know in the event they need to file a home insurance claim.

While sustaining home damage is an unpleasant experience, Doug Noble, vice president of IBC's Alberta division, said the vast majority of insured homeowners shouldn't worry about whether their plans are sufficient.

"The good news is that most wind damage should be covered by insurance," said Noble. "Consumers whose property was affected by the storm should contact their insurance representative as soon as possible to start the claims process."

He added that if homeowners have had to abandon their properties because they've been deemed uninhabitable, most policies provide coverage for living expenses, such as the cost of renting out a hotel room.

It wasn't just homeowners that were affected by the powerful windstorm, however. Businesses and vehicles were damaged as well. IBC says most standard business insurance policies also include coverage if the structure's exterior has been adversely affected by wind, including if windows have been broken. Auto insurance may be a different story, however. IBC says auto insurance policies can provide for wind damage but typically only if comprehensive coverage has been purchased.

To make the claims process more seamless, IBC recommends homeowners document all property that was lost. They may also want to conduct a home inventory to make sure all belongings are accounted for.

While powerful windstorms are typically rare, strong gusts like those generated November 27 have occurred in Alberta in the past. In April 1967, several days of intense wind activity, accompanied by a record 175 centimetres of snow, affected southern Alberta residents. According to Environment Canada, thousands of cattle perished during the blizzard, unable to forage for feed, while Army units were dispatched to deliver food and fuel to the province's snowbound residents.

With winter approaching, the Government of Canada reminds Canadians to always prepare for the worst, as blizzard conditions have been known to occur throughout the country. For instance, if a blizzard is in the forecast, homeowners are advised to trim branches or cut down dead trees that could fall on their residence.