Overland Flooding
Overland flooding occurs when water flows over land — not up from under the ground or due to escape from infrastructure such as plumbing — and seeps into buildings through windows, doors, or cracks. This is most often caused by heavy rainfall, snowmelt runoff, or rising water levels from nearby lakes, rivers, or ponds.
Flooding is one of the most common causes of insured damage in Saskatchewan, costing an average of $54.4 million in losses each year. In fact, according to the most recent available statistics, there are approximately 42,000 residential properties alone at risk of flooding. And, of those, three in five have a 22%-or-greater chance of flooding over the span of a 25-year mortgage.
Fortunately, there are more tools than ever before to defend at-risk structures against flooding. Only a fraction, though, are properly defended today.
Am I covered?
When a homeowner, business, or tenant experiences a flood, how it happened seems secondary to repairing the damage. But the specific cause of the flood can be the determining factor in whether your insurance will cover the losses, or whether you'll be out-of-pocket to pay for repairs and to replace damaged property.
For example, insurance for water damage is usually broken out into three distinct components for most insurance companies:
- Basic coverage: Offers protection for losses that result from unforeseen events inside the property, such as burst pipes, leaking toilet tanks, broken aquariums, and overflowing bathtubs. This is included in most home insurance policies.
- Sewer backup coverage: Offers protection for losses that are caused by water backup or sewage from drains. This generally is not included in most basic policies and must be purchased as an add-on endorsement — which is a fancy word that simply means 'add-on to your insurance policy.'
- Overland water coverage: Offers protection for loss or damage related to water entering a property from a sudden accumulation of water. This usually results from a heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or overflow from lakes or rivers. Again, this is not usually included in standard insurance and must be purchased separately.
Do I really need flood insurance?
Many consumers believe that the government will cover their losses in the event of a flood, and therefore decide not to purchase private overland flood insurance coverage. But there are important limitations to the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) that all Saskatchewan property owners should consider.
Will PDAP pay for flood damages?
PDAP is not a substitute for private insurance, nor does it provide full compensation. Instead, it offers assistance for uninsurable losses of essential goods and to return property to its pre-disaster condition only, with specific limits on the amount of maximum assistance that can be paid.
What types of things will PDAP not cover?
Consumers who suffer a loss are often unprepared for the limitations of what PDAP will and — more importantly — will not cover. Keep in mind the program is only meant to cover essential items. For instance, air conditioners are generally not covered unless there is an extenuating medical need. Other items such as docks, RVs, boats, jewelry, artwork, antiques, and other recreational equipment are not eligible either.
Depreciation is also applied. This means if you purchase new items to replace items you've lost, without the right private insurance coverage, you'll need to pay the difference out-of-pocket — particularly if you cannot find a similar used item in a comparable condition.
What is not covered by flood insurance?
In landlocked Saskatchewan, we don't need to worry about coastal flooding, which is excluded from the majority of insurance policies. But there are other limitations to watch out for, such as long-lasting seepage, rain or snow entering through an open window, roof leaking due to wear-and-tear, as well as water entry due to grading issues that have not been reasonably corrected.
What are some steps can I take to safeguard against flood risk?
No-Cost Measures
- Test your sump pump regularly: Inspect and test your sump pump 2 – 4 times per year, including once in the fall prior to the ground freezing and again early in the spring. This should be accompanied by cleaning out your backwater valve.
- Clean out eavestroughs: Clean out your gutters each spring and again in the fall after trees begin shedding leaves. This allows water to run off your roof consistently and will protect it from moisture buildup that can cause rot and water damage.
- Clear drains and snow: Remove any household items from floor drains and clear debris from nearby storm drains, ditches, and culverts that may impede water flow. You should also shovel snow away from your foundation prior to it melting.
Low-Cost Measures
- Install window well covers: Window well covers prevent rain or snow from becoming trapped in window wells, which can cause water to damage basement walls and floors. Depending on the material and manufacturer, these covers only cost $20 – $100 each.
- Extend spouts and discharge lines: Downspouts and sump pump discharge pipes or hoses should extend at least two metres (6.5 feet) away from the foundation of your home or building. Extension components can be purchased at any home supply store.
- Purchase flood alarms: Electronic flood sensors can be purchased as standalone products or as part of an integrated home security monitoring system. These devices alert you if moisture is detected in vulnerable areas of your home or business.
- Follow safe storage practices: When thinking about flood protection, it's important not to forget the simple steps you can take to safeguard valuable items and hazardous materials. Use watertight storage containers and secure fuel tanks, keeping them elevated at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) off the floor or ground.
High-Value Measures
- Correct grading: Check sidewalks, patios, decks, and driveways to make sure they haven’t settled over time and are causing water to drain toward your house. Consider landscaping with native plants and vegetation that resist soil erosion.
- Install a backwater valve: When a heavy rainstorm flushes debris into mainline storm sewers and sanitary sewers, sewers can backup into homes and businesses. A backwater valve automatically closes if sewage backs up from the main sewer.
- Add a sump pump battery: Sump pumps require electricity to operate in normal conditions. But what about during a power outage? Battery backup units are a critical line of defence in protecting property during intense weather.
But the best thing you can do? Talk to a licensed insurance broker. Click here to find one near you.