Insurance adjusters on the ground to help returning McMurrayites
Posted Jun 1, 2016 7:35 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As you return to Fort McMurray in the coming days, you’re encouraged to make your home your first stop to ensure it is livable for you and your family.
You should have already looked at the fire map and fire report to learn the condition of your home but you may find the smoke too much for you and your family, depending on where you live.
If you’re uncertain about the condition make sure you have a ‘Plan B’ in place for somewhere to stay as hotel space is limited.
If you find ash inside your home you’re encouraged not to disturb it. The RMWB has said you should put on personal protective equipment, including gloves, a respirator, eye wear, and long sleeves, and arrange to have your insurance adjuster visit as soon as possible.
Bill Adams, the Vice President, Western & Pacific Region, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said there are already 800 insurance adjusters and staff on the ground ready to go, with an additional 800 that will be here by the end of the week.
“Talk to your insurance representative, that’s a very important thing and there’s a bunch of different kinds of benefits that are available to you so it’s important to do that literally on day one,” said Adams. “Take lots of photos, even when you open your fridge, take a picture because all of that spoilage is covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy.”
“Each claim is going to be handled on its own merits, it depends on the proximity that someone may be to the fire line, the amount of damage they have sustained, and what they may be looking for,” said Pete Karageorgos, IBC, Director, Consumer and Industry Relation.
Adams said this is one of the largest, if not the largest, insured event in Canadian history and it is still too early to tell how all of this damage will impact the insurance industry.
“We don’t know what this is going to cost, this is day one for the insurance industry as well as it is for the people of Fort McMurray so we’re just getting our first peak to the extent of the damage that we’re going to work with the residents to get them back into their homes.”
If you are uninsured you should be in contact with Alberta Works for financial assistance.
