Wildfires are once again affecting Ontario, with active fires in northern parts of the province and wildfire smoke travelling into southern Ontario. The smoke has created hazy conditions and air quality concerns across several communities, demonstrating how the impact of a fire can extend far beyond where it begins.
For Ontario homeowners, current conditions are an important reminder to understand how your home insurance may respond to fire-related damage and whether your coverage still reflects your home today.
Does Home Insurance Cover Fire Damage?
In most cases, home insurance policies cover damage caused by fire, including wildfire. The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes that virtually every home insurance policy covers fire damage, provided the fire was not intentionally started by the policyholder or a member of their household.
Depending on your policy, coverage may apply to your home, personal belongings and certain additional structures on your property.
Every policy has specific terms, conditions, limits and exclusions, which is why understanding your individual coverage before a loss occurs is important.
What About Smoke Damage?
A fire does not have to reach your property directly to cause damage.
Smoke and soot can affect walls, ceilings, furniture, clothing and other belongings. Whether smoke-related damage is covered will depend on the cause of the damage and the terms of your insurance policy.
With wildfire smoke affecting parts of Ontario, homeowners can follow current fire conditions through the Government of Ontario’s Forest Fires resources and speak with their broker about questions related to fire and smoke coverage.
What Happens If You Have to Leave Your Home?
If an insured fire makes your home unliveable, your policy may include Additional Living Expense coverage, often referred to as ALE.
This coverage may help with additional costs such as temporary accommodations and increased living expenses while you are unable to return home. Coverage limits and time periods vary by policy.
Are You Prepared to Document Your Belongings?
After a major fire, remembering every item in your home can be difficult.
Consider creating a home inventory by taking photos or videos of each room and keeping records for higher-value belongings. Important documents and inventory records should be stored somewhere you can access if you are unable to return home.
Homeowners can also review FireSmart guidance from the Government of Ontario for practical steps to help reduce wildfire risks around their property.
Review Your Coverage Before You Need It
The current fire situation in Ontario is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change. Homeowners should review their coverage limits, confirm their home’s replacement cost, document major property updates and understand what their policy may provide following an insured fire loss.
At Merit Insurance, we believe insurance should reflect your home, your property and the risks you face today.
Our brokers take the time to understand your individual needs, explain your coverage and help identify areas of your policy that may need to be reviewed or updated. That’s The Merit Difference: personalized service, trusted advice and a broker who is there to help you understand your insurance before you need to use it.
Have questions about fire coverage or your home insurance policy? Contact a Merit Insurance broker today to review your coverage.
Insurance coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions of the individual policy. Speak with your insurance broker to understand the coverage available under your policy.
