Reduce your flood risk and get the right coverage

Spring is typically the wettest time of year, with melting snow and frequent rain for several weeks. Use these tips to reduce the risk of a flood around your home.

• Remove snow from around the foundation and clear the areas around window wells.
  
  
• Clear eavestroughs and downspouts. Repair leaks and make sure water can flow off your roof and away from your foundation and basement windows towards the street or backyard.
  
  
• Make sure your sump pump and/or backflow valves are working properly before the snow begins to melt.
  
  
• Clear drainage ditches and culverts of all debris to keep water flowing into sewers.
  
  
• Wait until the possibility of frost has passed before re-opening valves to outside water hose connections to avoid pipes freezing and bursting.
  
  
• Make sure the land around your home slopes away from the foundation.
  
  
• Check that your sidewalks, patios, decks and driveway haven’t shifted to cause water to drain back towards your house.
  
  
• Take stock of the items in your basement and consider moving valuable items to a higher area.

Protect your home and lower your insurance premium

If your home is in a flood-prone area, consider working with us to help keep your home insurance more affordable.

Review your coverage. Do you have the right amount of insurance to meet your needs? Coverage should be based on replacement cost, not the resale value of your home. It’s also important to carefully review the coverage and limits offered.

Adjust your deductible. Consider increasing your deductible to help reduce your premium.

Equip your home. Consult with a plumber who can recommend the best option for your home, such as a backflow prevention device or battery-powered backup sump pump. You may be eligible for additional savings. For more tips, consult this handbook produced by the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction.

Bundle your coverage. Maximize your discounts when you have more than one kind of insurance, including both Home and Auto, with The Co-operators.

Visit us online for more information about Home insurance coverage available to protect you in the event of water damage.