Trusted Tips and Resources

Trusted Tips & Resources

Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Discuss Saskatchewan Summer Storms

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Campbell & Halliburton Regina Home insurance tip, Blaine Petrie, Licensed Insurance Broker & Motor License Issuer, talks about Saskatchewan summer storms. 

Thunder, lightning, rain, wind, hail, and 5 minutes later it’s a nice sunny day! We’ve all been there, it’s a major part of living in Saskatchewan. By the time you finish reading this sentence, we’re back to rain! Our storms in Saskatchewan are unlike any other province. Whenever friends from BC or the Maritimes come to visit, something they hope to see is a prairie lightning storm!

What happens when damage occurs due to wind, rain, or lightning? Saskatchewan summers are typically very dry from June to September. We see storms where there is only lightning and thunder, with no rain. In this climate, it is very easy to suffer a loss caused by a storm. Therefore, it is important to know how your insurance covers you for these losses.

Lightning 

Lightning is a powerful force of electricity, that can cause significant damage. Lightning causes trees to fall and fires to start. Should a surge affect your home, lightning may even cause the TV on your wall to burn out. While lightning is very dangerous and efforts should be taken to limit its effects on your home, damage caused by lightning is covered by insurance in nearly every situation. Lightning strikes your home and starts a fire? Covered. Lightning strikes your home and damages all the electronic items plugged in? Covered. Lightning may not be covered if the damage to your home causes your food to spoil due to loss of refrigeration. However, this coverage can often be added to your home insurance.

Wind and Hail

Windstorm damages from summer storms in Saskatchewan can be devastating. In most cases, wind is something that is covered by insurance. For instance, if shingles get blown off your roof, or your siding gets blown off the house, you will likely require someone to repair the damages. With these types of losses, the type of damage and settlement will differ depending on the age of your roof. If a person has a 5-year-old roof, they are likely to receive full replacement cost coverage. This means that no matter the replacement cost, they are covered, provided they purchased adequate insurance prior to the damage occurring. Where we tend to see depreciation apply, is if the roof is 20 years old. This is because the life of a shingle is not always the full life listed on the box, and shingles tend to require replacement on a more frequent basis due to the weather conditions in Saskatchewan (ie. about every 15 to 20 years for 25 to 30-year shingles).

Hail and wind tend to be grouped together, as the damages they can cause affect the same portions of the house, primarily the exterior. In the same way, a shingle blown off a 20-year roof will have depreciation applied, a 20-year-old shingle that has holes punctured through it due to hail will have a depreciated settlement value as well.

Rain

Rainfall is the loss type from a Saskatchewan storm that has the most potential to cause damage, given that it can enter your home from any little crack or imperfection. Despite its prevalence in all storms, rainfall is generally not a covered loss type. Although there are extensions to a policy that can add coverage for water entering your home from the outside, your homeowners’ insurance is likely not going to cover this. There are exceptions to the rule, based on the premise of proximate cause. The proximate cause of a loss is the first incident that could have given rise to the series of events causing the damage. For instance, a fire starts inside the home, and burns a hole in the side, causing water to enter your home from a rainstorm occurring at the same time. Or, imagine a windstorm that blows the shingles off of your roof, allowing rain to enter the house from the outside during the same storm. In these examples, the cause of the loss would be fire and wind, respectively, rather than water.

As mentioned previously, extensions can usually be purchased that allow for coverage for water entering the home from the outside through the doors and windows. On the insurance policy, this is typically called an overland water endorsement and will protect up to the amounts shown on your policy for water entering the home during a storm event. The overland water endorsement will also sparingly cover groundwater, provided the water entered through the ground surrounding your foundation during a storm. However, the overland water endorsement does not include seepage, so groundwater entering the home through a crack in the basement wall would generally not be covered by insurance. Further, the pressures of groundwater on the foundation of a house causing cracks or foundation damage, would not be covered by insurance.

The overland water extension endorsement would typically cover river and creek overflow due to heavy rainfall. Dwellings located near a river or creek tend to be rated higher accordingly.

Tornadoes 

The amount of times we hear the question “what about an act of God?” in this line of work is… put simply, a lot. The long and short of it is that there are no exclusions for “acts of God”, as the exclusions are based on the actual loss that occurred. During a Saskatchewan summer, there is sometimes the risk of a tornado. A tornado is a windstorm, and by that virtue is a covered loss, provided your policy covers for wind. Tornadoes tend to cause significant damages, similar to the wind mentioned previously, but on a larger scale. Thus, the size and amount of damage caused by a tornado, do not preclude it from being a covered loss.

Loss vs. Claim 

So when do you place a claim on your insurance policy? When you have damage, you have a loss to your property. At this point, depending on what happened, you may be panicking to get things fixed and wondering about how you are going to get it done. When a loss occurs due to a Saskatchewan summer storm, usually homeowners will be getting the damage fixed all at once. This places stress on the construction industry to repair damage in a timely manner. In this case, the best course of action is to call your broker who will give you advice on how to proceed. We have many years of experience dealing with claims, so we can advise properly on what your next steps should be.

Generally, when damage occurs, it is best to have a professional out as soon as possible to survey the damage and provide an estimate for the repairs. Your home insurance policy will likely contain a deductible clause. This means that you will be responsible for a portion of the loss. In most cases, the deductible for home insurance is $1000. However, the deductible can be $500, $750, $2500, or higher depending on your specific policy.

You may have a discount on your insurance policy because you have not placed a claim in the last 5 years. It is important to note that in accepting payment for a claim, this discount would typically be removed. For example, let’s say you have a $1,000 deductible, and the estimate to replace the damage to your roof is $1,200. You would be paying $1,000, and the insurance company would cover the other $200, but your premiums will increase for the next 3 – 5 years, depending on your insurer. This is likely to negate the entire $200 saved by placing the claim, so it makes more sense to cover this on your own without insurance. If the estimate of damage is $4,000 in the same situation, it begins to make more sense to place this as a claim on your insurance, as the increase to your rates will not be the entire $3000 difference between your deductible and the amount of damage.

An important consideration when making a claim is that the more claims you file, the more your insurance premiums will increase. For example, on your first claim, your premiums may increase by 15%, however, a second claim could increase your premiums up to 40%. After two claims on a policy within a year, insurance companies tend to look at your policy with more scrutiny and may apply restrictions to your insurance policy resulting in your insurance not covering as much going forward.

Summary

In any case, your best bet after a loss is to call your insurance broker. We have the expertise and experience to walk you through the process of placing a claim. We also ensure that if you place a claim, we can work towards keeping your premiums as low as possible upon renewal of your insurance policy. There are many risks associated with Saskatchewan summer storms that can cause damage to your home, most of which are insured using basic home insurance, with some requiring extensions. It is important to understand the insurance coverage you have, and how you are protected so that when you call to place a claim, there are no surprises. When the storm is over, be sure to pause and enjoy the little things such as the smell of rain.

Is your home damaged due to a Saskatchewan Summer Storm? Contact Campbell & Haliburton Insurance

  • Give Campbell & Haliburton a call at 306-757-0621
  • Send us an email or contact Campbell & Haliburton online
  • If you are unsure who you usually speak with, or if you would like to speak to one of our team of experts email us at hello@mych.ca and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
  • If you are comfortable, please stop by our office and we can talk in person. We have safety procedures in place, hand sanitizer readily available, Plexiglas in place, and home insurance experts waiting to answer any questions you have. We are here for you.
As you walk out of our door, you can do so with the assurance that you are covered with the home insurance that best meets your needs. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.


This is a general overview. There are many different insurance companies, and there are always differences in insurance policies. For specific details on your policy and coverage, we recommend that you contact your agent or broker.

Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:


Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance Tips For First Time Home Buyers

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Campbell & Halliburton Regina Home insurance tip, Blaine Petrie, Licensed Insurance Broker & Motor License Issuer, talks about what to look out for as a first time home buyer.

So you’ve found the home you are going to buy, after searching for months, saving up a down payment, and deciding all of your wants and needs in the buying process. You have borrowed a lot of money through the procurement of a mortgage, or you may have even saved up enough money to buy a house outright. If you have done this, we need to talk about savings strategies.

Why You Need A Home Insurance Policy

Now, what happens if it all goes away? Fires happen when least expected, and water can damage a property far more than anything else while you aren’t even aware that the damage is happening. I don’t want to scare you about buying a house, but after 5 years in insurance, I have already seen almost anything that can happen, from a person buying a house and having it burn down within a week, to a person removing coverage for sewer backup a month or two before experiencing the first sewer backup they have ever had in 20 years of homeownership.

This is where home insurance comes in. Your mortgage will require that you purchase fire insurance in order to qualify for a mortgage, but I recommend not simply buying fire insurance. For a start, the coverage is incredibly basic, and most insurers actually cost more than a more comprehensive homeowners insurance policy. Home insurance can seem like a large cost, but when treated as it should be treated, it is one of the smallest investments you can make in protecting your home.

What A Home Insurance Policy Covers

A typical home insurance policy will cover fire, lightning, smoke, pipes bursting, vandalism, theft and attempted theft, windstorm, and hail. Your insurance broker will explain the differences which exist between insurers, as they will walk you through the process in order to find the right match for your needs and budget. Your broker would also go through with you what types of losses are not covered on a policy automatically but can be added, as well as those which are not included but cannot be purchased.

What Is Involved In The Home Insurance Policy Process

Your insurance broker will go through the valuation of your property, ensuring that it is insured to its correct value. This value in 99% of cases will be different from the amount that you paid. Your mortgage will require that you insure to at least the mortgage value, but with insurance, we look at full replacement cost. This means the full cost to rebuild your house from the ground up, including removal of debris, in the event of a total loss to the house. I have seen situations where this amount is less than a person’s mortgage, and I have seen situations where this amount is significantly more than a person’s mortgage. In situations where this amount is less than the mortgage, we look to ensure a higher form of coverage called guaranteed replacement cost, but this isn’t always available on a house depending on its age and updates done to the house since new.

There are many things we will ask you about the house, so it is a good idea to come to a meeting with your broker prepared to know a lot about the house. Some information you will know from having looked at the house, but much of it won’t be readily accessible without having a home inspection completed. For instance, we would need to know what type of pipes are in the house, when the last update to the plumbing was done, what type of electrical wiring, how many amps the electrical panel is, when the electrical system was last updated, what material is the roof, when was it last replaced, what kind of heating system is there, what the fuel used is, when it was last replaced, is there a fireplace, is it a fireplace insert or a fireplace… The list goes on and on.

If not all of this information is known, don’t worry greatly. It may mean that there will be higher premiums as we won’t be able to conclusively say when an update was last done, but once you move in, much of this information should be available as the install years for heating and electrical systems are typically stamped on these. So together we can work with you to obtain coverage for you for the possession date, which can be changed after, but the absolute must-knows are: how many amps is the panel, what type of wiring, is there wood fuel heating in the house. Know these three answers and we can generally get you covered with the listing details.


Are You A First Time Home Buyer? Contact Campbell & Haliburton Insurance

  • Give Campbell & Haliburton a call at 306-757-0621
  • Send us an email or contact Campbell & Haliburton online
  • If you are unsure who you usually speak with, or if you would like to speak to one of our team of experts email us at hello@mych.ca and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
  • If you are comfortable, please stop by our office and we can talk in person. We have safety procedures in place, hand sanitizer readily available, Plexiglas in place, and home insurance experts waiting to answer any questions you have. We are here for you.
As you walk out of our door, you can do so with the assurance that you are covered with the home insurance that best meets your needs. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.


This is a general overview. There are many different insurance companies, and there are always differences in insurance policies. For specific details on your policy and coverage, we recommend that you contact your agent or broker.

Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:


Water Damage Tip From Trusted Regina Insurance Provider Campbell & Haliburton Insurance

Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance Inc have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Campbell & Halliburton Regina Home insurance tip, they share items of importance to note regarding water damage.

Water is the new fire. It’s not just a thing we say to our clients, it is the truth. Where insurance claims used to be dominated by fire, now we are in a position where more than 60% of claims placed on property are for water, while around 25% are for fire. So what do you need to know about water? There are a few items of importance to note regarding water damage:

1) How did the water enter your home?

Water isn’t a singular form of loss and can come from many different facets. Water can enter from a burst pipe, through the sump pump, through the sewer line, seeping from appliances, through the roof during a rain, and the list goes on and on. Further, when did it enter the premises, and how long has it been entering the house? Depending on how or when the water got in will have implications on whether the loss is covered. If you were away on holidays during the winter and your furnace went out, did you have a capable person enter your property often enough to qualify for coverage, or will you be out in the cold upon arrival?

So the question isn’t whether there is water, but how did it get there. Barring certain extenuating circumstances, there will not be coverage available for water entering through the roof ever, as coverage cannot be purchased for this, same with seepage through basement walls. Both of these are issues that have a basis in maintenance issues rather than sudden & accidental issues. This is also the case with water continually leaking from home appliances. Water will only continually leak due to maintenance or fault installation issues.

2) Flood: Insurance vs Personal Definition

The word flood means something different to you or me than it does to an insurance company. To you or I flood may mean just any water on the floor. An insurance company, they have no less than 4 definitions for water on the floor: water escape & rupture, overland water, sewer backup, and seepage. And the definition of flood is typically something that cannot be covered. Even at the very base if we think of what a flood is it is water accumulating in a location that it typically would not accumulate in, whether by rain or overflow. To an insurance company, that explanation is what they consider “overland water”, where flood is usually associated with saltwater.

3) So… what am I covered for then?

Long story short, your policy is going to be different depending on what you have elected to have covered and we cannot definitively say what you are covered for without looking at your cover page and wording booklet. For instance, if you have fire insurance only, which is a very bad policy, there would be no coverage for water damage at all. But your typical home insurance policy will, at the very least, provide coverage for water escape & rupture. This is water that escapes from a pipe or water container when it bursts or overflows from a water container (like a tub or a sink). What your typical policy will not have is sewer backup as automatic coverage.

4) Optional extras for water coverage

So, your standard home insurance policy will not have an automatic inclusion for sewer backup or overland water. What now? Not to worry. Most companies will provide coverage for sewer backup (provided you haven’t had that issue in the past, or, if you have, you have taken measures to prevent it from happening again), and some are even starting to offer coverage for overland water. This is a major shift in the past few years, at least for Saskatchewan insurers, as these were never offerings in the past. The cost is subjective to location, as certain areas are more prone than others, with some areas not being able to get insurance for these things, but we’ve seen a step in the right direction. Some companies place limits on the amount of coverage, while others will not limit you other than based on your building value.

5) When did the water enter the home, and how bad is the water damage?

A standard policy will never cover damage from mold, rot, and a few other preventable issues. If there is rot in the wood, then the water has been there a long time. If there is mold, the water has been there a long time. In these cases, it is generally understood that the homeowner should have been aware of what was happening in the home and taken measures to prevent it from becoming worse. While sometimes it may be impossible to have known there was an issue, it is generally best practice to check your basement/crawl space at least a few times a year to see if there are any issues, same thing with the attic! Your roof is your first line of defence against water entering your home during a rainfall, after all, it’s a good idea to ensure proper maintenance!

These are a few important notes on water damage in your home. There are certainly more; this is not meant to be a comprehensive list, just something to get thoughts rolling about what flood actually is for insurance purposes. We get calls about flooding regularly and want to help you out by providing some knowledge of why we ask the questions we ask afterwards. So flood is not what happens when water comes from the pipes, or through the sewer system, or even from a heavy rainfall! All of these have separate terms with separate definitions and levels of coverage.

Is Your Home Damaged Due To A Flood?

Sometimes you can do everything possible and still have damage due to flooding. Our home insurance experts at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance can help you deal with the cost of your lost items, plus any structural damage caused by the flooding. Contact our Regina Insurance brokers to find out more about your coverage and to get a quote.

As you walk out of our door, you can do so with the assurance that you are covered with the home insurance that best meets your needs. If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your insurance, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to help you.

This is a general overview. There are many different insurance companies, and there are always differences in insurance policies. For specific details on your policy and coverage, we recommend that you contact your agent or broker.


Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected.

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957. Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic. Through it all, their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you. No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

Campbell and Haliburton Insurance are a Trusted Regina Insurance provider.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:


Trusted Regina Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management Share Expense Considerations After Retirement

Chris Worby and Jeremiah Worby are Trusted Regina based financial advisors and Wealth Management services providers servicing local Regina households and businesses. With over 20 years of experience, Worby Wealth Management has been committed to providing a high standard of financial service to individuals, families and business owners. Worby Wealth Management listens and provides a personalized financial plan.


Retirement Considerations

by Jeremiah Worby

One of the biggest financial questions on everyone’s mind is whether or not they will have enough money to retire. Not only do savings and investments need to be taken into the equation, income and expenses also need in-depth analysis.


Expenses


Will my daily coffees increase in price? Although I’m poking fun, inflation is a serious concern. Everyone’s expenses will clearly vary from one person to another, but some other considerations need to be taken into account, such as:


  • Will I be able to find work if needed?

    • If income falls short, will a new source of income be required?

  • Am I financially dependent on someone else?

    • Or is someone else financially dependent on me?

  • Do I plan on living in the same city upon retirement?

    • Costs of living can vary greatly from one city to the next

  • Have I taken into account inflation?

    • Will my entertainment and hobby expenses increase during my retirement years?

  • What if interest rates rise?

    • Will I be able to afford my home if rates rise?

  • Do I plan on living in the same home upon retirement?

    • Will I downsize?  

    • Is condo living a consideration due to limited mobility (that could mean increased expenses due to HOA fees)?

  • Do I have or need insurance?

    • What if something unexpected happens during retirement?

  • Do I have a will, power of attorney, health care directive in place?

    • Making sure all angles are considered and taken care of in your retirement years can help you live without unneeded stress


Find out more

Whether you’re 30 years away or just a few months from retirement, proper retirement planning is essential. Contact Worby Wealth Management to start planning your retirement today.


Some of the services that Worby Wealth Management can help you with: 

TRUSTED REGINA FINANCIAL ADVISOR Chris Worby from Worby Wealth Management helps you live your dream!


The comments contained herein are a general discussion of certain issues intended as general information only and should not be relied upon as tax or legal advice. Please obtain independent professional advice, in the context of your particular circumstances. This Blog was written, designed and produced by Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby for the benefit of Jeremiah Worby and Chris Worby who are Financial Advisors at Worby Wealth Management, a registered trade name with Investia Financial Services Inc., and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Investia Financial Services Inc. The information contained in this article comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Mutual Funds, approved exempt market products and/or exchange traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.

Previous Posts

ADDRESS

S & E Trusted Online Directories Inc
TrustedRegina.com
310 Wall St #209
Saskatoon, SK   S7K 1N7
Ph: 306.244.4150

GET THE APP

App Store Google Play
Follow us on Facebook Instagram Linked In Twitter YouTube RSS Feed
Abex
Abex
Stevies
Sabex
NEYA
Website hosting by Insight Hosting