Please take a few minutes to check out the advice provided by your local Emergency Measures Organization:
Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Organization
New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization
Newfoundland and Labrador Emergency Measures Organization
The Government of Canada's Get Prepared website
When it comes to the issue of insurance and weather-related claims, your toll free 24 hours claims numbers for emergency contact are:
Nova Scotia (Marsh Adjustment): 1-800-290-0886
New Brunswick (Plant Hope Adjustment)
Bathurst/Tracadie-Sheila: 1-800-667-4302
Miramichi: 1-800-315-1912
Moncton: 1-800-561-3936
You may also contact your insurance company directly through their 1-800 number usually listed on your policy. Include your insurance papers with the other important documents EMO recommends you have on hand.
It is our intention to have all 19 of our locations up and running after any major weather event. In the event we are unable to do so, we recommend you try contacting one of our branches in an area less affected by the weather. Please see the list of offices in our directory. We will make every effort to have our voice mail updated and providing you with the phone number of the open branch nearest you. If offices are unable to open immediately after the storm please be assured our first priority is to make staff available for your incoming calls. All messages while our offices are closed will be returned as soon as possible. It is important to understand you cannot add, delete or alter coverage by leaving a voice mail.
Here is some general information concerning claims:
The majority of insurers have specific time frames they attempt to work within as far as client contact is concerned. When confronted with major weather events such as hurricanes, major snow storms or tropical storms, their usual turn-around time cannot be expected. Most insurers will attempt to return calls based on the severity of the loss. Clients with loss or damage with personal injury or who cannot remain in their home will be contacted first. It is likely all other claimants will be contacted in the order in which their call is received.
Here is some additional information concerning your policy:
(1) Clean up of trees falling on land, is typically excluded under the policy
(2) Erosion of land, earth movement subsidence is excluded
(3) Water entry into the home through doors, windows, basement walls etc., (unless the wind created a hole in the building first) will be excluded
(4) Loss of power which in turn caused sump pumps to fail resulting in sewer systems backing up should be reported for consideration. Each case will be looked at individually. (In severe weather such as this water often enters the home from a number of sources.) If it is clear that sewer back up is the main cause of damage and if coverage is in place you should contact your insurance broker or company NOTE: sewer back up is not built into all policies and where present and can have specific limits as to total amount payable. Every policy is different. (5) Most policies provide some Food Freezer coverage for spoilage of food. This cover is for freezers only (not fridges ) and in many instances there is a limit on the amount payable. In most cases this is an extended coverage and the decision to as to whether or not a deductible applies can differ from insurer to insurer. (6) Service levels may not be up to usual standards as insurers respond on a loss severity basis. Let us know if you feel the length of time for contact is unacceptable. We can follow up on your behalf.
