IBC mobilizes community assistance program amid Alberta wildfires

IBC mobilizes community assistance program amid Alberta wildfires | Insurance Business Canada

Catastrophe & Flood

IBC mobilizes community assistance program amid Alberta wildfires

Insurance experts on hand to provide guidance

Catastrophe & Flood

By
Terry Gangcuangco

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has mobilized its Virtual Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion (V-CAMP) to provide essential insurance information amid nearly 200 wildfires blazing in Alberta, including a significant fire in the Municipality of Jasper.

IBC is collaborating with provincial and federal governments, emergency management teams, and local officials in the impacted communities.

Rob de Pruis, IBC national director of consumer and industry relations, said: “Unfortunately, the wildfire that has impacted the Municipality of Jasper was confirmed by Parks Canada to have caused structure loss. As the extent of the damage is being assessed, our thoughts continue to be with the impacted residents whose lives have been disrupted and whose property has been damaged.

“We applaud all the first responders who have been working tirelessly to protect lives and property. While recovery efforts continue, rest assured that anyone whose property or vehicle was damaged can contact their insurance representative when they are ready to start the claims process.”

IBC’s V-CAMP, staffed with knowledgeable insurance personnel, is available through the Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC (1-844-227-5422) to help answer questions about home, business, or vehicle insurance policies. Albertans can also visit IBC’s 2024 Wildfire Season webpage.

For current information on the wildfire status in Jasper National Park, residents should check Park Canada’s Wildfire status webpage. The Government of Alberta’s Wildfire Status Dashboard also offers real-time data on active fires and restricted zones.

The association went on to clarify that standard homeowners’ and tenants’ insurance policies cover fire damage. It added that fire damage to vehicles is usually covered if comprehensive or all-perils coverage is in place.

IBC also advised insureds to identify all damaged or destroyed items, collect proofs of purchase, photograph the damage, and keep damaged items unless they pose a health risk.

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