Summer in Alberta is nothing short of amazing. We get to reconnect with the great outdoors, enjoy BBQ’s, festivities and each other. Summer can also bring amazing weather in the form of heat waves, hail storms, floods, forest fires and tornado’s.

Weather has changed dramatically through the years and it’s severity has increased due to climate change. Here are some great ideas to protect yourself and your property from the negative effects of Severe Weather.

Prepare:

1. Create an emergency preparedness plan for your household and ensure you have an
   emergency kit. Items to include in the kit include water, canned food, flashlight and
   batteries, first aid, and cash. For more details, visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
   Ensure the items in your kit are not expired and in working order yearly.
2. Make sure that barbecues and other outdoor furniture and appliances are either secure
   and covered or stored indoors.
3. If possible, park your vehicle in a covered area such as a garage or a carport.
4. Stay away from all windows, doors, and skylights during a storm.
5. If you’re out during a storm, keep an eye out for flooded areas and don’t drive through
   them – find a safe place to pull over off to the side of the road.

Prevention:

1. Investing in hail-resistant materials to replace their roof or siding. These materials, such as Class 4 Rated Hail Resistant Asphalt Shingles for their roof or Cement Fiber Board for their siding perform better in a storm.
2. Check you sump pump regularly to make sure that it is working.
3. Make sure all downspouts are clear of debris and pointed away from your home.
4. Unless ordered to evacuate. Stay Home and find safe areas in your home, when local emergency alerts have been activated for extreme weather.
5. Follow all fire safety bans in your area.

Why is Alberta moving to DCPD?

DCPD is a fairer and more efficient approach to insurance claims and vehicle repairs, and is already used in most provinces in Canada. Under DCPD, damages to your vehicle will be repaired faster and without the delays and complications that can arise when dealing with another driver’s insurer.

DCPD reduces costs associated with subrogation – the process insurers use to determine who pays for a claim following a collision. Along with other reforms, it will help stabilize premiums for the long term.

Consumers who have questions about DCPD and what it means for them should contact their insurance representative or IBC’s Consumer Information Line at 1-844-2ask-IBC or email AskIBCWest@ibc.ca. 

Direct Compensation For Property Damage (DCPD) Insurance (ibc.ca)

Distracted driving can attribute to up to a 25% or more increase in your insurance.

• Distracted driving convictions are considered by majority of Insurance Companies as a Major Violation.
• Insurance companies may NOT offer you Physical Damage coverage if you have a distracted driving Conviction.
• Average cost for distracted driving tickets in Alberta is approximately $300.00 and 3 demerit points.
• As per the City of Edmonton Police site.  While driving (including drive thru’s) It is illegal to: use a hand-held phone while talking, texting or emailing.  Operate electronic devices like video players or laptops.  Manually program GPS units or portable audio players.

For more information on what is considered Distracted driving offences visit: https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/TrafficVehicles/TrafficSafety/DistractedDriving

How Insuramix is dealing with Covid 19:

Masking is required.  If you cannot adhere to our masking policy, we would be happy to assist you by phone or email.

PHONE: 587-520-7080 or EMAIL: info@insuramix.ca

Prevention of this pandemic is best managed if we limit the in person contact with social distancing. Your business is very important to us, so please do call us or email us with any of your Insurance needs or inquiries.

Changes to Alberta Disaster Recovery Program 2021

Albertans living in high-risk areas may experience a natural disaster of one kind or another. The Government of Alberta continues to provide DRP assistance to all qualifying applicants; however, homeowners living in high-risk areas are encouraged to consider relocating or mitigating risks to their properties. Flood maps are available at https://floods.alberta.ca/.

Purchasing insurance It is important for Albertans to become educated about their disaster risks and ensure they are adequately insured. There are more insurance options on the market now than ever before.

  Info-Sheet-DRP-Changes.pdf (abcouncil.ab.ca) For more information Online: http://alberta.ca/drp

Overland Water Coverage

Overland Water Protection is designed to protect against damage caused when ground water enters a property from the sudden accumulation of water such as damage caused by fresh water flood such as the overflow of a rivers or lakes, and the sudden accumulation of water due to heavy rainfall or spring run off.

Calgary Floods in 2013 have changed how Insurance Carriers respond to Sewer Back up losses.  The introduction of Overland Water Coverage bridges the gaps of Water related losses when purchased with Sewer Back up Coverage.

Overland Water Protection is NEW SINCE 2017 coverage.   Unfortunately not all properties are eligible.  Mobile Homes and select Seasonal Properties unfortunately do not qualify at this time.  Certain locations in Alberta do not qualify if they are;

1.  Considered extremely high risk for flood

2.  Have reverse driveways

3.  Dwellings within 100 meters of a river or other flowing body of water do not qualify.

Cost of Coverage determines on the limits, deductibles and locations of the property.  Overland Water Coverage can be tailored to fit your budget by selecting higher deductibles or limiting amount of coverage payable.

Legislation Changes to Condo Corporations – Jan 2020

Should you wish to increase your limits most Insurance Providers are offering higher limits at additional annual premiums and coverage available can vary with each insurance provider.

Most Condo Corporations have amended their wordings; therefore, we recommend that you review your Condo Corporations wordings.  Below is an example of the wordings that some Condo Corporations have used to advise their Condo Unit Owners.

Example: Effective January 1, 2020, Corporations will be able to “charge back” the deductible portion of a loss if the loss originates from a Unit. There is no requirement to prove negligence on behalf of the Unit Owner/Occupant to do so. The maximum amount of the charge back is the limit of the Corporation’s deductible or $50,000 – whichever is the least.

New Year, New Office 2020,

We have moved into our new office during Covid-19. While the new digs are not open to the public due to mandatory Health Measures, we are excited to welcome all our clients to our new location once restrictions ease. In the meantime, we hope you stay safe during the pandemic.

Our new address: