Some insurance Q&A for those threatened by th

[Guest M. McRae]

BCAA offers answers to home insurance policyholders affected by forest fires

BURNABY, BC, Aug. 22 /CNW/ - Fires burning throughout the province, and

most recently threatening the city of Kelowna, have forced thousands of people

out of their homes. As many residents leave their homes and belongings behind,

or are faced with evacuation alerts, the British Columbia Automobile

Association's (BCAA) Insurance Division has heard from several policyholders

inquiring about their home insurance coverage.

BCAA offers the following answers to frequently asked questions made by

policyholders:

- Am I covered for a loss resulting from a forest fire?

o Yes, fire damage is covered under most home insurance policies

and this includes damage from forest fires. Most policies do

not have an Act of God exclusion.

- Am I covered for mass evacuation?

o Yes, most insurance policies will cover you for mass evacuation

as long as the government, police, fire department or civil

authority has required you to leave your home. Your home

insurance policy should cover any necessary and reasonable

living expenses you incur. Keep a copy of all hotel and meal

receipts to give to your insurance provider.

- Am I covered for the belongings I take with me when I leave my home?

o Yes, most insurance policies will cover the items you take

temporarily away from your home, just as they would if they

were left in your residence.

- Is smoke damage from the fires covered? Is damage incurred from fire

retardant outside my home covered?

o Most home insurance policies cover smoke damage caused from

fires, as well as any damage incurred from the red fire

retardant that has been airdropped onto homes. Damage to your

home from this retardant is covered, just as is damage from any

substance used by fire department personnel.

- I've been given the okay to return to my home, now what?

o If power was lost to your residence, it is essential that you

do not open your fridge or freezer, as the food left inside

could be rotten and cause damage to your health. Local

authorities will advise residents of any special precautions

that need to be taken with regards to household appliances.

If you have insurance coverage with BCAA and need to file a claim, call

the 24-hour emergency claims number at: 1-800-719-2224, or visit a local BCAA

Sales Centre to speak to an insurance advisor. BCAA advises all homeowners

with coverage from other providers to consult with their insurance advisor to

ensure that they understand their policy coverage.

BCAA is the province's largest member services organization, working on

behalf of its 725,000 members in B.C. and the Yukon to represent their

interests and satisfy their needs for security and peace of mind in motoring,

travel and at home. In addition to homeowners' and renters' insurance, BCAA

Insurance Agency also offers insurance coverage in the areas of life, extended

health, personal accident, out-of-province medical and auto.

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For further information: Scott McBride, Vice President, BCAA Insurance

Services, Tel: (604) 268-5255, E-mail: scottm@bcaa.com; Tatiana Jovic,

Coordinator, BCAA Media Relations, Tel: (604) 268-5342, E-mail:

tatiana.jovic@bcaa.com

http://www.newswire.ca/releases/August2003/22/c3946.html