Canadian cottage owners unprepared for severe weather

Research commissioned by Royal & SunAlliance (R&SA) found that one-third of 1,500 Canadian cottagers surveyed are unequipped for harsh weather conditions and only one-quarter of respondents keep their doors locked at all times when vacationing at their cottage.Specific to severe weather, the survey found that of the third of cottagers who are unprepared for severe weather, 35% said that it never even occurred to them to prepare, an R&SA release says. Another 26% of these respondents stated that they are not concerned about the affects of severe storms a particularly alarming statistic in light of the 2006 summer storm in Ontario, which included two tornadoes and caused $500 million in damage, the statement says.To help property owners cope with damage related to severe weather, R&SA is launching a mobile claims unit staffed with adjusters that will travel to communities coping with the after-effects of weather disasters.Canadians are outfitting their cottages with the amenities of home and making them appropriate for year-round living, Irene Bianchi, vice president of claims and corporate services, R&SA, said in a statement.As a result, the value of the contents of the cottages is increasing, she added, making the need for protection against severe weather and property invasions increasingly important.