As thousands of Summerland-area wildfire evacuees return home, some are now facing a new challenge: filing an insurance claim.
For those with wildfire coverage coming home to damage, insurance expert Grant Alsop says the most important step is starting the claim process right away.
“Do it as soon as possible…and that typically gets you assigned with an insurance adjuster,” Alsop, an account executive with Axis Insurance, told CityNews.
Residents do not need to see damage before making the call, either. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), people can open a claim while still under an evacuation order.
Regional officials say preliminary assessments confirm at least 150 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Summerland-area – including Electoral Area F, Faulder, and Meadow Valley – due to the Bald Range Wildfire.
Once it is safe to return, residents should photograph and record damage before cleaning up.
They should also gather any receipts, warranties, or other proofs of purchase.
“The ideal situation would be one where you’ve got really good records of what you’ve got for contents – pictures, receipts, video – any sort of list you can have that justifies the amount of the loss,” Alsop said.
The province is advising residents to keep damaged items unless they pose a health risk. It is also recommending contacting an insurer before making major repairs or discarding damaged property.
While starting a claim quickly can speed up the process, Alsop warns the size of the disaster could slow things down.
“You can expect that there are probably going to be delays.”
He says insurance agencies may be facing a flood of claims, and access to properties could take time.
The good news is, once in touch with your representative, residents can expect help covering added costs such as temporary accommodations and meals, depending on the policy.
“Insurance companies will typically start forwarding those funds fairly quickly.” Alsop said.
Standard home and tenant policies generally include additional living expense coverage when a government evacuation order forces someone from their home.
The IBC says residents should make sure their insurer has an up-to-date phone number and email address.
People who need general insurance assistance can contact its Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-227-5422 or AskIBCWest@ibc.ca.
B.C.’s increasingly frequent wildfires are pushing up insurance premiums, particularly in areas without full fire protection.
While coverage remains available, Alsop says insurers may need to adjust if destructive fires continue hitting the same regions year after year.
“That is something that we might have to prepare for.”
Alsop says rebuilding with non-combustible materials may eventually become necessary in the highest-risk areas as companies reconsider coverage for wood-frame homes.
He also recommends moving summer policy renewals to the winter, if possible.
Insurers generally continue renewing existing policies during wildfire season, but some stop quoting new business while active fires are burning.
“You’re going to have a lot more options available to you,” Alsop said.
