CAA Manitoba Spring 2018 | Page 52

ent Re Gu N id O e Basem aFter Think about possible damage and discuss coverage options with your broker, including: • Ground water: It enters your home suddenly and accidentally below ground, through basement walls, foundation or floors. • Overland: Water damage caused by overflow of a lake or river, heavy rain or rapid snowmelt that enters your home from a point at or above ground level. Protect Your Reno Communicating with your insurance broker is always a good idea before, during and after any type of home renovation. “Together, you can review all your coverages to ensure you’re protected,” says Bernice Reeves, property and casualty insurance supervisor with CAA manitoba Insurance. Follow her advice to reno the right way • Sewer back-up: Water backs up and flows into your home from your municipal sewer system, private septic system or through sump pump failure. It can occur during periods of heavy rainfall, when sewers can’t handle excess water. BeFore • Service line: Damaged service lines that bring water, power, data and communications into your home, when the damage is sustained on your property. Talk to your broker to see if there is anything your insurance provider requires prior to starting a project. Complete details of a renovation will help determine insurance needs that will be required for the work. A combination of these options will provide more comprehensive protection against damages to your home. Talk to your broker to find out if your home qualifies and what coverage amounts will work best for you. Check out your contractor. Poor workmanship is not covered under a home insurance policy, so you need to make sure the contractors you choose will do quality work. Contractors should have their own insurance, but it’s up to the homeowner to request proof of insurance to safeguard in the event of a loss while working on your home. If you purchased a course of construction policy, contact your insurance broker after the reno is complete. They’ll make sure the proper coverage is put back in place. Depending on the extent of a renovation, a builder’s risk insurance policy may be required. Check the coverage that your builder’s risk policy provides to ensure sufficient coverage for your needs. 52 Spring 2018 CAA MAniTOBA DUrInG Keep your broker informed of any changes to your building schedule or renovation plans, as your insurance needs and coverage could change. Depending on the extent of the reno, your required coverage could change. Increased square footage, additional bathrooms or updated finishes might impact the rebuilding cost of your home. Consult your insurance broker. To speak to a CAA Manitoba Insurance broker: caamanitoba.com/insurance Step 4: