Insurers step up to deal with New Brunswick storms

Following harsh winter storms which struck New Brunswick and other Atlantic provinces earlier this week.According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), as of Tuesday morning, 25,000 households in New Brunswick were still without power as a result of the freezing rain. “As with everyone else, our primary concern is the safety and adequate shelter of the people affected by the storm,” says Don Forgeron, IBC’s Atlantic region vice president. “The New Brunswick Claims Emergency Response Plan Committee (CERP) is monitoring the situation on an on-going basis.”CERP is made up of adjusters, brokers, insurers and New Brunswick Emergency Measures Organization staff, to respond to claims emergencies. The Organization is asking residents to turn off water mains where they enter homes, and use blankets or insulated material to protect valves, inlet pipes and meters or pumps. All taps should be opened and toilets flushed several times to drain pipes, followed by the draining and opening of the basement vale in each home.”People with homes or vehicles that have been damaged by the storm are reminded to check the coverage provisions in their home and automobile insurance policies,” Forgeron says. “Damages should be reported as soon as possible to your insurance provider.”Many policies will cover damage to homes or vehicles, particularly for damage from falling trees or other debris, but all coverage is varied by policy.