Get In The Know

To bundle or not to bundle?

Bundling your insurance – having your car and home insurance with the same provider – can save you money. But is it always the best thing to do? Let’s take a closer look at why bundling may or may not be right for you.

Fault or No-Fault: What's the Difference?

Here’s a common myth: that no-fault auto insurance means no one is at fault. Not so. There are still fault-based rules of the road, enforced by police. If you are at-fault in a collision, your insurance premiums will be affected. Depending on the nature of the collision, you may be charged with an offence. These offences are governed by either provincial motor vehicle legislation or federal legislation such as the Criminal Code of Canada.

Why competition in insurance is important to you

While government-run insurance monopolies may appear as a more attractive option to private sector competition, the hard facts tell another story. Consider the following:

These are some of the ways your premium dollar can help meet your needs when you make a claim. What about the big picture? Where do all the auto insurance dollars from all consumers go, after claims have been paid? Take a look at the chart below.

How is your Auto Insurance Dollar Spent?

It’s a tough economy out there. You want to get as much as you can for each dollar. That’s especially true for auto insurance, often a major expense for families.

So what do you get for your premium dollar? How is the money spent?

Both accident benefits and third-party liability insurance coverage are mandatory.

Auto Insurance Costs and Where You Live

Location. Location. Location. That old real estate maxim about the three most important things to remember in a house purchase has application in insurance.

Be a part of the ShakeOut!

The exact timing or magnitude of an earthquake is impossible to predict – which really enforces the importance of being prepared for one. While most of the 4,000 earthquakes recorded in Canada each year are small events, at least nine over the past 100 years have registered a magnitude greater than 7.0.¹

Are You Ready For the Big One?

About 4,000 low magnitude earthquakes happen across Canada every year. They don’t cause major damage, and most happen where people don’t live.

But experts predict a major earthquake could strike parts of Canada at any time. So should you have coverage?

Hummer hero and an insurer with heart

Some collisions are worth it. And yes, insurers have a heart.

Case in point: When 46-year-old Alberta-resident Darrell Krushelnicki intentionally put his Hummer in the path of a distracted driver in a Pontiac about to run down four children, Intact Insurance not only didn’t charge him with an at-fault collision, it also waived his deductible.

For safety's sake, prepare for an Earthquake

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2011, our office windows started shaking and desks started trembling. Did someone slam a door? Did the new fridge fall? Was this rattling imagined?

Managing risk

Managing risk isn’t just a business or insurance objective. The average person faces a variety of risks every day. Even routine tasks like preparing a meal or changing a light bulb are associated with some degree of risk. And while some risks are more serious than others, we use our knowledge and experience to help guide us in dealing with all of them. For example, if driving or riding in a car, we wear seatbelts. Identifying and assessing the risks in our lives allows us to adapt and respond to events more easily.

Tenant’s insurance – is it worth it?

The back-to-school frenzy has come and gone but, for some students across the country, apartment-hunting expeditions may still be in full swing. Regardless of whether you rent a house, condo or co-op, tenant’s insurance is invaluable. While your landlord has relatively few obligations to compensate you for any damage to or loss of your personal possessions, you, as a tenant, are responsible for damage you may cause to any part of the building you live in or to others who live or visit there.

6 Tips for Hurricane Preparedness

The month of September represents different things to people: the end of summer, the beginning of the school year or the expiration of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. On a more worrying note, September also marks the peak of hurricane season with September 10th as the official date when tropical systems in the Atlantic basin reach their maximum frequency.

Improved protection with umbrella liability insurance

Umbrellas protect us when the weather turns bad. So too does an umbrella liability insurance policy.

Oil tank safety tips

Oil is a common source of heat for homes and small businesses. Leaks and spills from home-heating oil tanks are costly, both in pocketbook and environmental terms.

We’ve seen clean-up costs (remediation) related to oil spills cost anywhere from $25,000 to over $500,000 before the clean up is completed.

Back-to-school safety

With summer drawing to a close, the back-to-school frenzy begins. Transitioning from summer vacation to school is tough for children. But there is no better opportunity to discuss safety basics with them.

Shopping around for auto insurance

The year 2012 may become the best year of my life. I married a beautiful woman, found a great job, and finally, after years of walking, cycling and taking transit, I was preparing to buy my first car: a 2013 Volkswagen. No longer would I spend 90 minutes squished chest-to-back on public transit to complete what should be a 25-minute direct ride to my parent’s house. I was now free to escape whenever I wanted at a faster rate and a reasonably affordable cost…or so I thought.

Goderich Rising: One Year Later

Disasters test the human spirit.

When Goderich, Ontario was hit by a tornado on August 21, 2011, the community rallied. Local hardware stores donated goods. Service clubs came forward. A disaster relief fund was launched. IBC dispatched its Community Assistance Mobile Pavilion. Insurers played their part in helping the community come back.

Location counts for home insurance costs

Where we live matters to us. And that’s equally true when it comes to the cost of your home insurance. While home insurance is not mandatory by law, most banks or mortgage holders will insist that you purchase it before getting a mortgage.

Location counts for home insurance costs

Where we live matters to us. And that’s equally true when it comes to the cost of your home insurance.

While home insurance is not mandatory by law, most banks or mortgage holders will insist that you purchase it before getting a mortgage.

Alberta and The North FAQs for the Week of August 13

Top 5 FAQs from the Alberta and The North Consumer Information Centre for the week of August 13.

How Your Driving Record Affects Your Car Premiums

Driving is one of the riskiest things we do. Keeping a good driving record depends on sound driving habits, such as avoiding distractions and leaving a space between your car and other cars. These habits can pay off.

Alberta and The North FAQs for the Week of July 30

Top 3 FAQs from the Alberta and The North Consumer Information Centre for the week of July 30.

Help Us Fix Auto Insurance Costs in Ontario

Mad about the high cost of your auto insurance? We are too. And we’re working on it ─ with a government that wants change, with the people who regulate insurance, with Ontarians who have an honest concern about keeping premiums fair.

The right helmets for summer biking

The words are too common: concussions, comas, brain injuries. Each year more than 500 Canadian children have head injuries from bicycle crashes. Nearly 30 die.

Ontario FAQs for the Week of July 23

Top 2 FAQs from the Ontario Consumer Information Centre for the week of July 23.

Wildfire Safety

Any forested and grassland region is susceptible to wildfires. With summer in full swing and parts of the country gripped in one of the worst droughts in decades, wildfire risk is at its peak. To highlight the need for wildfire awareness, consider these facts:

Small Business Insurance and You

Small businesses need insurance as much as larger ones. Here’s a few tips when looking into this vital protection:

Alberta and The North FAQs for the Week of July 16

Top 3 FAQs from the Alberta and The North Consumer Information Centre for the week of July 16.

Alberta and The North FAQs for the Week of July 9

FAQs from the Alberta and The North Consumer Information Centre: Top 4 from June 9 to July 9, 2012

Atlantic FAQs for the Week of July 2

FAQs from the Atlantic Consumer Information Centre: Top 3 from June 3 to July 3, 2012

Ontario FAQs for the Week of July 2

FAQs from the Ontario Consumer Information Centre: Top 2 questions from June 3 to July 6, 2012

Insuring your home business: A good peace-of-mind investment

You’ve always wanted to be your own boss. Now you’ve started the home-based business that was a dream for some time. But don’t forget to insure it properly.

Be Fireworks Smart and Safe This Canada Day Weekend

Fireworks displays are a wonderful part of the Canada Day holiday. Beyond municipal celebrations, individuals and neighbours often have their own displays (where bylaws permit). While it’s captivating to do your own event, fireworks are always more fun when no one gets burned or hurt.

Are you a medically-at-risk driver?

For most people, driving represents autonomy – that is, the ability to get to the places they want to go at will. But when the ability to drive safely is compromised due to physical, emotional and mental challenges, it warrants an assessment.

For seniors: protecting yourself against insurance scams

The phone rings. A voice comes on promising to reduce your insurance costs. They have an apparent corporate name. Sounds good, you think. And then they ask for a down payment and make it sound like the best investment you ever made. Wrong.

BC FAQs for the Week of June 11

FAQs from the BC Consumer Information Centre: Top 2 from May 8 to June 8, 2012

Driving with wildlife in mind

This summer the risk of vehicle–wildlife collisions will increase as Canadians hit the roads for cottage country, campgrounds and other vacation destinations. Consider these statistics, which illustrate the frequency of such collisions:

Alberta FAQs for the Week of June 4

FAQs from the Alberta Consumer Information Centre: Top 5 from May 8 to June 1, 2012

Safe driving tips for seniors

As we get older we change. For those of us who drive the changes can affect how we drive. Sometimes those changes can be factors in drastic results. In Ontario, almost one quarter of fatal collisions in 2009 involved seniors over 65 (Ontario Road Safety Annual Report 2009).¹

Keeping costs down: Auto insurance tips for new drivers

You’re a new driver. The excitement is high. The open road beckons. It’s also a time when questions about auto insurance come into play. How expensive is it? How do you control costs? Here are a few tips that can keep hard-earned money in your wallet.

Your home is flooded: Safety tips and insurance coverage

This week, over 50 millimetres of rain fell in Thunder Bay and Montreal in less than 24 hours. Basements flooded and sewers backed up, leaving a trail of misery for many people. Heavy rainfall can happen anywhere. Here are some tips to keep in mind when the skies open and your home is flooded:

Safety on two wheels

I remember my first ride on a Harley Davidson a few years back. It was exhilarating and, truth be told, downright terrifying. Sharing the road without the benefit of an automotive shell, seatbelt or airbag may sound like sheer folly but the number of new motorcycle¹ and scooter² sales have increased from year to year in Canada.

Safety tips for night driving

The Victoria Day weekend marks the unofficial advent of summer in Canada. And with warmer temperatures comes more traffic as drivers make their way to their summer destinations. If you plan on driving after dark, it’s important to be aware of night hazards. Traffic death rates are 3x greater at night than during the day.¹ Fortunately, there are measures you can take to minimize your driving risk after dark:

So you want to be an insurance investigator

Are you a problem solver? Obsessively detail oriented? Do you have the persistence to pursue a lead until you’ve reached a dead end? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you may want to consider working as an insurance investigator.

Smoke alarm smarts!

Most deaths due to house fires happen at night, while people are sleeping. Victims may never wake up because of the poisonous effects of gas and smoke created by the blaze.

Be Fireworks Smart and Safe This Victoria Day Weekend

Fireworks displays are a wonderful part of the Victoria Day holiday. Beyond municipal celebrations, individuals and neighbours often have their own displays (where by-laws permit). It’s captivating to produce your own event, but remember that fireworks are only fun when no one gets hurt.

Bad gamble: Drinking and driving on the May long weekend

When I was a teenager I remember a car full of kids from our high school went through a rural intersection at a high speed, hit a tree and everyone died – except the driver. He was drunk. It was on the May long weekend.

Involved in a collision? Here’s what to do

Road collisions kill one Canadian every three hours, disable one Canadian every seven minutes and cost the country about $62.7 billion a year*. Even if you always drive responsibly, you may still be involved in a collision, and it helps to know what to do if that happens.

Appreciation for our crime-fighting partners

With May 13 to 19 declared as National Police Week across Canada, there is no better time to honour our partners in law enforcement. Police work has a unique set of challenges, the most obvious being ongoing stress.

Emergency Preparedness Week 2012

Guest post contributed by Allison J. Stuart of Emergency Management Ontario (EMO).

I would like to thank the Insurance Bureau of Canada for inviting me to talk about our 2012 Emergency Preparedness (EP) campaign.

Campfire tips to keep you safe

Summer is coming and the great outdoors calls. Ah, warm weather, sunshine. Time for some of us to go camping and hiking and enjoy the many delights of Mother Nature.

ROLL OUT THE RAIN BARREL: A WISE INVESTMENT

Rain barrels rock! They can help you keep your garden green. They’ll make your plants happy when the water bans come this summer. They can save you money on your water bills (think more grocery money!). They can help the local environment as you use rainwater and not chlorinated water on your lawn.

Backwater valves

Damage from sewer backups is costly for homeowners, municipalities and insurance companies. Based on recent estimates, the Canadian insurance industry pays $1.7 billion each year in claims due to water damage.¹ Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your home and property.

The Top Ten Guide to Help You Deal with Severe Weather and Emergencies

As we wrap up our Earth Month series, here’s a short summary of how to get ready for the new normal in weather:

How to avoid being gone with the wind

Your home is your castle. It's a place where, as monarch, you are responsible for rations (groceries), agriculture (gardening) and maintaining order (cleaning). One of your biggest duties is to protect your castle from such natural threats as severe winds.

Protecting precious cargo: Part 2 – car seat selection and safety tips

This is the last entry of the two-part series.

Car seat safety encompasses not only the use of a car seat but the right car seat for your child, along with proper installation.

Keep these 10 tips in mind when selecting your child's car seat:

Protecting precious cargo: Part 1 – car seat 101

This is the first entry of a two-part series.

Here is a sobering truth: car crashes are the number one cause of death for Canadian children.¹ Despite this disturbing statistic, many parents are woefully untrained in the proper installation of a car seat. Others are unsure which car seat to use. It can be overwhelming to digest all of the car seat information out there. These basic tips may help.

Earth Month Tips: Preparing A Solid Emergency Plan

Part Two of Four

Severe weather often comes without warning. That’s why you need to be ready in advance. Protecting you and your loved ones with a family emergency plan is a great investment that can pay healthy dividends.

Distracted driving = risky driving

There is an epidemic among Canadian drivers these days. It’s called distracted driving. With more focus on the subject than ever before and some form of legislation about cellphone use or distracted driving in nearly every province, drivers should be well aware of the dangers of distracted driving. Yet random observations on the road will show you that it still persists.

Earth Month Tips: Your Guide to Coping With Severe Weather

First in A Four-part Series

April has come and with it the many pleasures of spring. It’s also a month to celebrate our common home through events like Earth Hour, Earth Day and Earth Month.

Distracted driving = risky driving

Emergency plans – as easy as 1-2-3!

Does your family have an emergency evacuation plan for your home? With the Alarmed and Ready Challenge under way, Insurance Bureau of Canada proposes a simple approach to making a basic emergency evacuation plan for your home in case of fire.

Staying dry when the heavy rains come - Wise advice for Canada Water Week

March 19 to 25 is Canada Water Week. While we rightfully celebrate fresh water as one of Canada’s greatest national treasures, there’s another side. In a time of increasingly severe rainfalls, too much water is a problem – threatening lives, homes and civic property and sometimes uprooting communities.

On celebrating St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick was a gentleman
Who through strategy and stealth
Drove all the snakes from Ireland
Here's a drinkee to his health!

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Springing Ahead for Daylight Savings Time

It’s time to spring forward. This Sunday, March 11, we put our clocks ahead one hour as Daylight Savings Time begins, and with it, longer daylight hours.

Planning on going away for March break?

Ah, March break: the annual ritual where families flee their homes for skiing getaways or warmer pastures. You’ve likely packed your suitcase and planned an itinerary but don’t forget to take steps to safeguard your home and belongings during your time away:

Are you up for the Challenge?

The Alarmed and Ready Challenge is rolling out across Newfoundland and Labrador and the big question is “Are you up for it”?

The Challenge, should you accept, is to take inventory of your home’s smoke alarms and test them all.

Êtes-vous prêt à relever le défi?

Le défi Priorité aux détecteurs de fumée est lancé dans l'ensemble du Nouveau-Brunswick. Êtes-vous prêt à relever le défi?

To read this in English, click here.

Fraud Prevention Month

Insurance crime is not victimless. The cost to Canadians is estimated to be more than several billion a year in insurance premiums and health care, emergency services and court costs. Insurance criminals take money right out of your pocket - when they cheat, you pay.

When someone cheats, everyone pays

March is Fraud Prevention month and at Insurance Bureau of Canada, we want to remind you that when someone cheats, everyone pays.

The Alarmed and Ready Challenge

This winter and spring your local fire department will be going door to door in your community to see if you have a working smoke alarm for every floor of your residence.

Don’t let fire knock on your door - Fire prevention tips

Practically every week, there seems to be news of wildfires and community evacuations somewhere in Canada. From the devastation in Slave Lake to the wildfires in Northern Ontario, we seem to be constantly speaking and thinking about wildfires.

Les détecteurs de fumée sauvent des vies.

Des détecteurs de fumée en bon état constituent une excellente protection contre les blessures attribuables à un incendie ou à la fumée.

Smoke alarms save lives.

Working smoke alarms in residences is now the law in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Did you know? Properly working smoke alarms are an excellent guard against fire and smoke injuries. The unfortunate reality is that many homes across Newfoundland and Labrador are not properly equipped with them.

It's the skiing time of year! Remember, helmets aren't just for kids.

When it snows I’m excited because it means that I can go skiing at my local hill. I just grab my skis, boots, poles, goggles and one last thing: my helmet. I skied for years without wearing a helmet. But now, I never ski without one.

What do you think: should helmets be mandatory on the slopes?

In a recent blog IBC recommended that children wear helmets when tobogganing. A week later the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) came out with a strong recommendation that government make helmets mandatory for skiers and snowboarders in Canada.

Tobogganing Safety: Invest in Your Children

It is pure Canadiana: a snow-covered hill speckled with red-cheeked children joyfully tobogganing. They ride down and run up, tirelessly. Smiles all around. Call it the joy of childhood in winter. It’s a happy rite of passage.

Learning to skate? Bring these tips to the rink

I have a confession to make: I don’t skate. An ironic declaration from a self-professed Leafs fan and proud Canadian, isn’t it? While I’ve taken part in the winter ritual of renting skates with dull blades at local, overcrowded rinks, it always resulted in more sitting, rather than skating on the ice.

Insurance Crime: Recognize it. Report it.

Insurance crime may bring to mind clandestine operations run by organized groups or gangs but that isn’t always the case. It can also involve normally law-abiding citizens who attempt to make a few extra dollars by padding an otherwise legitimate claim.

Your New Year's Eve Party: keeping it safe

New Year’s Eve. Champagne. Shrimp. Dancing. If you’re hosting a big party, you’re excited and eager for everything to go well. With that in mind, here’s a few safety tips to help ensure that you and your guests enjoy yourselves and nothing takes away from the party spirit:

Here's the Top Ten stolen cars for 2011

Auto theft costs Canadian insurance policy-holders and taxpayers about $1 billion a year. It’s big business. While you may not yet have been victimized, you could be a target, especially if your car is popular with criminals.

Protecting Your Valuables Over the Holidays

Christmas brings Santa, but also a few Grinches. They are ready to steal your holiday cheer along with the gifts in your car. The good news is you can increase the chances of sending the Grinch away empty-handed by putting these tips to good use:

Responsible Holiday Cheer

’Tis the season to be jolly, folks. ’Tis also the season to be out and about at social events. Exercising sound judgment during this period of food, drink and merry indulgence may seem challenging but it doesn’t have to be.

Making sure home and auto insurance is part of your financial plan

Financial plans matter. And ensuring that you have adequate home and auto insurance is key to your financial plan. Why? If you are not insured properly, you put your wealth at risk. So it’s a good idea to take a few steps in the right direction.

Protecting your home from fire during the holidays

There’s no place like home for the holidays. That familiar lyric captures a bit of the joy of greeting friends and family, sharing meals and laughter, and honouring sacred traditions together.

Here's an industry that works for Ontario

Home, business and auto insurers in Ontario make a big economic impact. How big?

Daylight Savings Time and Your Family

Spring forward. Fall back. This Sunday November 6 we put our clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings Time ─ and all those longer days until darkness ─ ends.

Getting Drive-Ready for Old Man Winter

Old Man Winter is on his way again. And that means: slippery roads, black ice, snow and slush. But there are a few steps you can take now, and some when the weather turns bad, that will make your winter driving experience a little easier on the nerves.

Test Blog

'Exactly so,' said Alice.

'Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on.

'I do,' Alice hastily replied; 'at least—at least I mean what I say—that's the same thing, you know.'

'Not the same thing a bit!' said the Hatter. 'You might just as well say that "I see what I eat" is the same thing as "I eat what I see"!'

sadsda

Keeping Hallowe'en Safety for the Kids

Hallowe’en is one of the rituals of the year that children and families love. It brings out the child in all of us - the one that loves to eat endless amounts of candy!

Home Valuations - Protect this home

Your home is probably your most important and expensive asset. The building itself is expensive, and so are all its contents – or should I say, your possessions. In the event of a natural disaster or burglary, would you be able to replace everything, all at once?

They Cheat, You Pay - Fraud Series part 4 of 4

Welcome to the fourth and final installment in our They Cheat, You Pay – Fraud Series. If you’re a returning reader, welcome back! If you’re new to the series, thanks for stopping by. I would also encourage you to read the last 3 posts to get the most from the series...

They Cheat, You Pay - Fraud Series part 3 of 4

This post is the third installment in our They Cheat, You Pay – Fraud Series. The series has been designed to provide you with a few tips that can help you fight and guard against insurance fraud.

They Cheat, You Pay - Fraud Series part 2 of 4

This post is the second installment in our They Cheat, You Pay – Fraud Series. As Andrew mentioned, a few of us are using this platform to discuss an ongoing problem that affects us all… insurance fraud.

They Cheat, You Pay - Fraud Series part 1 of 4

Insurance fraud is an ongoing problem in Canada. In Ontario, the problem is especially bad. Fraud is not a victimless act – it affects us all. Our insurance premiums, and more importantly, our safety, are directly impacted by insurance fraudsters and their dishonest acts.

Back to School - School Bus Safety

I’ll admit it… the best part about going back to school was riding in the big yellow school bus. Each day felt like an exciting escapade to a far-away place (even if it was the elementary school down the road). I didn’t think about anything else except that I was on an adventure.

Helmet Head. The latest fashion trend.

We all know the stats. Helmets decrease the risk of serious head injury by as much as 85% and brain injury by 88%. Yet how many times do we see people riding bicycles, skateboarding, in-line skating or using scooters without wearing helmets?

When the rubber meets the road - Cycling safety tips

Odds are that by now, you’ve dusted off your bike and have hit the road. You may already have a race or two under your belt, or have experienced your first flat tire of the season. Take a minute to review these cycling safety tips, to help keep you injury free for the rest of the season.

Don't give thieves any breaks - 10 tips to help reduce the chance of a break-in

July and August mark vacation season. Unfortunately, during these months, we tend to see a spike in break-ins and burglaries in residential communities. This reality isn’t that surprising; it’s easier for someone to commit a burglary in a vacant house than an occupied one.

Don't let fire knock on your door - Fire prevention tips

Summer storms - tips to help keep you safe

Now that we’re in the midst of summer, we’ve come to expect periods of intense humidity and heat (especially if you’re from southern Ontario). And with this summer heat and humidity comes the possibility of thunder and lightning storms.

Lifejacket and Personal Flotation Device (PFD) Safety

With more people than ever enjoying activities in, on and around water, let’s take a minute to review lifejacket and personal flotation device (PFD) safety.

Boat Safety: Your 6-step checklist

With summer finally here, it’s time to get outside and onto the water. But, before you get out there, there are a few things you should know about boat safety. Our six-step checklist will help get you started – it’s up to you to remember your sunscreen and sunglasses.

Assembling your basic survival kit - 10 items to include

In May, we dedicated much time and effort to helping Canadians be better prepared for potential emergencies. Our efforts were in celebration of Canada’s Emergency Preparedness Week, which occurred May 1 – May 7. And although it was referred to as a ‘week’, we treated this nationwide movement as a month-long affair.

Road Safety Week - 10 tips to avoid driving distracted

It’s Road Safety Week in Canada (May 16 – May 23) and although it comes and goes every year, this week of awareness offers important, life-long lessons that drivers should heed all year long.

Insurance Bureau of Canada's D.U.M.B. Car Visits Dofasco Steel in Hamilton, Ontario

Similar to drinking and driving, driving while texting (DWT) can have life-changing and potentially life-ending consequences. And that’s why we created the D.U.M.B. Car.

Insurance Bureau of Canada's Dry House at Mississauga Home Show

Over the last month we’ve seen our fair share of rainy days. From coast-to-coast, it has been a very wet spring. And with all this wet weather, there is an increased potential for water damage in the home. That’s why we invented the Dry House.

This Emergency Preparedness Week, challenge yourself to get ready

I’ll admit it. After we learned about emergency preparedness in grade school, I was the kid who went home and pestered her parents until we had created a family emergency plan, just as the teacher suggested. We needed an escape route and a meeting place, and I wasn’t going to bed until they were determined.

The Dry House in Communities Across Ontario

In recent history we’ve seen an increase in the severity and frequency of severe weather occurrences. It seems that at any given point, somewhere in Canada is experiencing some form of storm or devastating downpour. And as patterns suggest, the trend is far from over.

Spring Thaw = Potential flood; 8 tips to help protect your property

We’ve been saying that “water is the new fire,” but what does that really mean?

Well, when insurance was first born, its primary purpose was to protect homeowners against financial ruin from the risk of fire. But hundreds of years later, water damage is causing homeowners more grief than fire.

Sewer backwater valve - the last line of defense

Nowadays having a finished basement is pretty common. We have slowly turned old cellars into games rooms and tire storage spaces into home theatres. And there is nothing wrong with that; in fact, you can increase the value of your home by having a finished basement.

Installing a Rain Barrel made easy

Although the rain barrel may be one of the world’s oldest inventions, right up there with the wheel, it is still one of the most effective ways to help protect your home from water damage.

Re-caulking your bathtub - a great decision

A daily shower, for even just a week, can stress the caulking around your bathtub and wreck havoc on weak seals.

Let's make distracted driving taboo

At one point in time, drinking and driving was merely frowned upon. Sure, people knew it was wrong and against the law, but most people thought it was someone else’s problem, not theirs.

Monitoring and replacing your washing machine hose

Washing machines have come a long way in the past few decades. They once monopolized the home’s water supply and guzzled electricity; now, they are highly-efficient, super-powerful cleaning machines.

How to FireSmart your home

With warm, dry summers, the potential for a wild fire is a real concern.