Flooding in Southwestern BC – How to recover losses

Published December 2, 2021


British Columbia was recently hit hard with extreme rainfall resulting in mudslides and massive flooding in parts of the province. The Province declared a state of emergency and evacuation orders are in place for areas within the Fraser Valley and the South Coast of BC. Wet conditions continue and many evacuated residents are faced with the uncertainty of when they will be able to return home.

As communities are displaced, many are left wondering what to do and whether they will be covered by insurance. Homes, cars, businesses, farms, have all been impacted. Insurance coverage can vary and the best way to find out what’s covered by your policy is to contact your insurance agent or broker. They can also start the insurance claim process for you and provide instructions on what to do when you are able to safely return to your home.

More detailed information on how to file an insurance claim is available here. 

Insurance claims can also be filed with your insurance company and most will have claims representatives available to assist customers 24/7. It is recommended to file a claim as soon as possible so that you can start accessing funds sooner and begin the recovery process.

If you don't know the name of your insurance company or representative, you can contact the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) to find that information out for you. IBC deployed its virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavillion (CAMP) to help affected residents with insurance questions and concerns and staff can be reached at 1-844-277-5422.

The provincial government also declared that residents, businesses, charitable organizations and farm owners may be eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). Find out if you are eligible and how to apply here.

The most important thing during this time is to ensure safety and follow guidance provided by the Province and your local municipal government. It’s also important to remember that residents and frontline workers, including insurance agents/brokers and adjusters, are all affected by the floods and under immense stress.

Support is available and a comprehensive list of resources is provided by the Province online.