Severe storms have caused millions of dollars worth of damage in Red Deer and its surrounding areas, so it’s important to understand the area’s weather risks to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for your Red Deer home.
Flooding. Red Deer officials declared a local state of emergency after a thunderstorm in 2017 resulted in more than $30-million in insurable damage. Massive floods in Alberta that affected Red Deer and surrounding areas in 2013 were the second most costly disasters in Canadian history for insurers, resulting in $1.8 billion in insured damage.
Wildfire. Wildfires in Alberta have burned more land in 2019 than any year in the past four decades, according to data from Alberta Wildfire. If residents have to leave because of a mandatory evacuation order, most home insurance policies will provide coverage for additional living expenses for a specified period of time.
Wildfire smoke. Smoke from the wildfires causes poor air quality and reduced visibility. Furniture, walls, and windows in your home can also be damaged, so some insurance to protect your contents might be valuable.
Storms. Instances of severe weather such as tornadoes, windstorms and hailstorms were also up in 2019. Home insurance covers damage to the structure of the building, broken windows, damaged contents and cleaning up debris from the wind.
Snow and ice. Winters in Red Deer are freezing, dry, and windy. Heavy snow and freezing weather can cause damage to property from falling ice and flying debris, and potentially to contents, from burst water pipes. As insurance guidelines vary between insurers, Red Deer residents are advised to check with their provider on their current level of coverage or limitations.