The frigid temperatures sweeping through Alberta have prompted concerns about what home damages are covered and which ones are not in the face of extreme cold weather.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) offers clarity on this matter, assuring homeowners that damages incurred due to the severe cold are, in fact, covered by insurance policies. Rob de Pruis, the National Director of Consumer and Industry Relations at IBC, explains that perils such as freezing, wind, hail, or fire fall within the scope of coverage provided by insurance policies.
Instances like frozen pipes, leaks, and damages to both the home and its contents are explicitly addressed and covered by insurance policies. However, a noteworthy exception is made clear by de Pruis: if a furnace malfunctions, the responsibility for repair or replacement lies with the homeowner.
De Pruis emphasizes, “One thing to keep in mind is if your furnace does go, and it results in some frozen pipes, the actual furnace itself is not covered by insurance.”
For those facing a furnace breakdown, Justin Penny, Officer Manager at Hydro-Flo Plumbing and Heating Ltd., offers practical suggestions to endure the cold. “Well first thing you’ll do is make sure you got some space heaters,” Penny advises. “You can use your oven to heat up the house. Then put the space heaters in the mechanical room near your water meter.”
Additionally, to minimize property damage caused by extreme cold, homeowners are advised not to shut off their main water supply to prevent freezing. Opening taps slightly to maintain a tiny stream of running water is another preventative measure, as running water takes longer to freeze.
“In your main common areas, yeah it may be still warm – maybe 10 or 12 (degrees). But all the little places in the corners, if there happens to be water there and you turn it back on, all of a sudden you have a frozen water line and a leak,” warns Penny, underscoring the importance of these precautionary measures in the face of chilling temperatures.
