GTA storm is a harsh reminder for the importance if insurance
Last Tuesday saw a giant storm set up shop right over the downtown core and drop between 50 and 75 millimetres in the space of three hours, leaving scenes reminiscent of an armageddon movie and basements across the city submerged. Around 16,000 customers were left without power due to a loss of supply from Hydro One, beaches remain closed due to trash overflowing from sewers and many motorists sacrificed their cars to large bodies of water which submerged Toronto’s roads.
Anticipating an influx of insurance claims, Insurance Bureau Canada has taken the opportunity to remind residents about the best way to submit a successful claim.
"First and foremost, everyone's priority must be their personal safety and the safety of loved ones and neighbours," said Kim Donaldson, Vice-President, Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada.
IBC advise everyone to assess and document all damage, including photographs, and then contact your representative as soon as possible, sharing detailed notes.
Damage as the result of a sewer backup may be covered within your home insurance policy, but only if the coverage was purchased as an additional feature of your policy. Meanwhile any vehicles damaged by water will be covered if comprehensive or all perils auto insurance has been purchased, although this is not mandatory so be sure to check if you have coverage.
Hydro One also spoke out about the importance of safety measures in the immediate aftermath, stating in a tweet: “If you're waking up to a flooded basement, please remember that electricity and water don't mix. Don't use flooded appliances, outlets, switches or breaker panels until they have been checked by a qualified electrician. If your basement is flooded, power needs to be disconnected.”
If you're waking up to a flooded basement, please remember that electricity and water don't mix. Don't use flooded appliances, outlets, switches or breaker panels until they have been checked by a qualified electrician. If your basement is flooded, power needs to be disconnected.
— Toronto Hydro (@TorontoHydro) August 8, 2018
While most of the power outages were restored by 12:30am on Wednesday, that didn’t stop them causing some chaos across the city. The loss of power, coupled with the sheer amount of water, spurred an emergency call from two citizens trapped in a basement elevator as water levels rose.
“As the water was rising very, very quickly, they only had about a foot of airspace left inside the elevator and it was completely closed, so officers pried the elevator open and rescued the two men,” spokesperson Katrina Arrogante told Global News. Emergency crews also attended multiple scenes with drivers trapped on busy roads by rising water.