The following resources have been created for your convenience and offer helpful tips for insurance-related issues.
Ice damming usually occurs when there is a significant amount of snow on your roof. If the temperature in your attic is above freezing, it warms the roof sheathing, melting the snow. The melt water flows down to another part of the roof that is cooler – usually the overhang and eaves – and the water freezes. The ice forms a small dam that builds up slowly as more and more melt water refreezes. Eventually, water backs up behind the dam and works its way under the shingles until it begins to leak through the roof into the living space below.
The problem gets worse as the back log of slush and snow created by the damming forces the shingles up dislodging nails in the process. Nail holes and small cracks are perfect pathways for flowing water. Water pathways make their way into your attic, seeping through your insulation and migrating into your walls and through your ceiling. Some leaks caused by ice dams can be obvious, but others can be more difficult to detect, taking years before you notice the accumulated mold and wood rot.
Indications that ice damming may be occurring:
• Snow is melting but there is a line of ice or snow at the eaves that is not draining
• Formation of large icicles from the eaves
• Water is dripping out of the soffit or gutter
• Shingles appear worn or faded on overhangs
• Shingles have rolling humps or dips on eave line
• Interior walls or ceilings have visible water damage under eaves
What you can do to prevent ice damming:
• Keep gutters and downspouts clear of leaves and natural debris
• Identify areas of heat loss in your attic and then properly insulate those areas
• Wrap or insulate all heating duct work in order to reduce heat loss through your attic
• Ensure that the attic has proper and continuous ventilation under the roof deck
• If it is safe to do so, use a snow rake or soft broom to clear fresh snowfall from gutters
There is enough to worry about over the holidays: the perfect decor, the perfect gift, the perfect meal. Focus on what is really important this holiday season, by taking a few steps to ensure your home is safe and sound...
Avoid break-ins this holiday season by following a few safety tips:
At home:
If you’re going away:
Decorating the Christmas tree is a cherished family pastime. Choose, place and decorate your tree wisely and keep it well cared for to ensure an enjoyable festive season.
Use these tips to reduce risk:
Wintery roads can make even the shortest trip a white-knuckling experience. In fact, studies have shown that December, January and February historically see the highest number of collisions than any other time of the year. Taking just a few simple steps can help keep everyone safe on the roads.
Before you hit the road:
Staying safe on the road:
If the Canadian Farmer’s Almanac is right, we are in for a deep-freeze and snowy winter. Prepare your home to avoid expensive repairs that could happen over the season.
Outside the home
Inside the home
By taking these simple steps to ensure your home is ready for the upcoming cooler temperatures, you can sit back, cozy up, and enjoy the season knowing your home is safe and sound.
It’s that time of year again… back to school. It’s an exciting time for all, but it can also be a dangerous time of year.
Back to school always marks a change in traffic patterns as more students and parents are back from vacation and are out on the roads walking, biking and driving to school. And while road safety may not be the first thing on a parent or student’s mind (instead they are likely more concerned about what they should wear!) it really should be a top consideration, especially as pedestrian injuries and deaths are on the rise across the country.
Here are a few tips to help you and your children stay safe:
Pedestrians:
Drivers:
Parents and Caregivers:
Together we can make our roads safer.
We offer the following tips to help you protect your home and property during cold weather:
Keep the house heated to a minimum of 18 degrees Celsius. The temperature inside the walls where pipes are located can be substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 18 degrees will not keep the inside walls from freezing.
Identify the location for the main water shutoff in your home. Find out how it works in case you have to use it.
Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent freezing.
If you are going to be away, drain the pipes. This can be done by first shutting off the main water line and then draining all lines by opening the taps and closing them once the water runs out. Also flush toilets to remove water from tanks. Be sure to have someone check on your home while your away to ensure heat is being maintained as well.
Make sure all hoses are disconnected from outside spigots.
If you discover that pipes are frozen, don't wait for them to burst. Take measures to safely thaw them immediately (such as wrapping pipes in towels soaked in water heated on the stove, or using hot air from a hair dryer, while being careful to stay away from standing water to avoid the risk of shock), or call a plumber for assistance.
If your pipes burst, first turn off the water and then mop up spills to prevent the water from doing more damage than it already has.
Make temporary repairs and take other steps to protect your property from further damage, such as remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage.
You may have some of these basic emergency kit items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food, water and blankets. The key is to make sure they are organized, easy to find and easy to carry (in a suitcase with wheels or in a backpack) in case you need to evacuate your home. Whatever you do, don't wait for a disaster to happen.
To ride legally, snowmobile operators must always carry:
March is Fraud Awareness Month in the Insurance Industry. Insurance fraud is a serious issue. According to the Ontario Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force Final Report, auto insurance fraud in Ontario is estimated to cost consumers up to $1.6 billion a year in insurance premiums.
To learn more about insurance fraud, please access our Insurance Fraud Awareness Tips.
Oil tank spills can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main causes are corrosion, improper installation, improper tank location, overfilling and/or breaks in the fuel line.
For more information and tips on how you can prevent oil tank spills, pease access our Oil Tank Tips.
Ice dams can cause serious damage to your roof, shingles, insulation, interior walls, personal property, and - in extreme cases - the structural integrity of your home.
For information and tips on how you can prevent ice dams, please access our Ice Dam Tips.
For information on how to reduce your chances of basement flooding, please visit the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction website.
A small sewer back-up can be a big concern for a homeowner. Access our Sewer Back-up Prevention Tips for helpful tips to prevent or minimize the effects of most sewer back-up damage.
As well, please visit the Insurance Bureau of Canada website for more tips and information about sewer back-up prevention.
It is important to be aware of all the contents in your home in the event of an insurance claim. A detailed home inventory is also a good tool in determining the value of your belongings for your insurance needs.
If you expereience an insurance claim, having a detailed inventory will make the claim settlement process easier and faster during an inevitably stressful time.
Here are some helpful tips:
Being aware of weather conditions is an important part of safe driving, especially when it comes to winter driving. For some tips on how to ensure that you continue to be a safe driver, even through those cold winter months, view our Winter Driving Tips.