By now, we’re all getting used to living with COVID-19. But, with rising case numbers in BC, how can we keep our homes and families safe?

It’s November. Already several months since most British Columbia schools, offices, and workplaces have opened their doors to welcome everyone back. But, despite our provincial authorities’ best efforts, case numbers in BC continue to break previous records weekend after weekend throughout the fall. And, while it’s probably inevitable as most of us succumb to some degree of COVID-19 fatigue, the increase in cases should be a reminder that this is nowhere near over.

With family members and friends spending more time out of the home and the security of our respective bubbles, it’s vitally important that we remain vigilant –  continue to practice the recommended protocols to help keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our homes as healthy and safe as possible.

Resigning ourselves to the fact that COVID-19 is going to be around for some time is helpful, first and foremost – getting our heads around the ‘new normal’. But, at the same time, reassuring ourselves that we have some control over how it affects our health and well-being is so important to our peace of mind. No, we can’t end the virus. But, we can do our part as individuals to hinder it’s spread through our communities and the infection of our households.

As a gentle reminder of how to navigate this ‘new normal’, and echoing the recommendations of our respected public health officials, below is a checklist of concrete actions you can take to reduce exposure and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community – and keep the people in your household healthy as this pandemic persists.

A preventative checklist:

• Social or physical distancing is still paramount – limit close contact with those outside your bubble as much as you can. When out and about, try to keep a distance of at least six feet from others.
• As they say, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”:
  • Face coverings have become a requirement in many public spaces, such as grocery stores, community centres, and gyms. Always keep a face mask handy – one in your purse, in your car’s glove compartment, in your pocket. And require your school-age kids to do likewise.
  • Sanitize hands before, during, and after outings to public places.
  • Frequently clean, sanitize, and disinfect those surfaces that are touched most often. Your typical household detergents and soaps with water work well. You can also use EPA-registered household disinfectants, too. Just be sure they’re appropriate for the surfaces your cleaning.
  • Frequent hand-washing with soap and water for a count of at least 20 seconds – or quietly sing Happy Birthday in its entirety. If you’re unable to use soap and water, a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol is a good replacement.
  • Be conscious when you sneeze or cough – cover your mouth and nose (use the inside of your elbow if you don’t have a tissue). Don’t keep and reuse a tissue, toss it immediately after use.
  • Frequently sanitize with the manufacturer-recommended cleaners any and all electronic devices – mobile phones, tablets, TV remote controls, laptops, etc.
• Be aware of the emotional wellbeing of family members and others in your household and bubble. This has been a very stressful many months and can easily take its toll on everyone’s mental health – adults and children. Talk with your family, including children, about these surreal circumstances. Approach it calmly and with a sense of reassurance, stressing how they too can help to prevent the spread to stay healthy and safe.
• As we often hear, those who have had the hardest time are people in more isolated situations, such as the elderly in care homes. Stay in touch and check in regularly with those who are alone – phone calls, video chat, text, or even email.
• Discourage your kids, particularly your teenagers, from large gatherings. Limit their outings to school, with minimal time spent in public places, so as to minimize the potential for spread throughout your community.
• If you get sick, stay home. Work, school, and any other activities or commitments can wait until you’re recovered.
• As best you’re able, limit any exposure to anyone you know who may be ill.
• If someone in your home becomes ill: Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
  • Give them a room and bathroom separate from other family members.
  • Do not share any personal items such as drinks or food.
  • Ensure that the sick housemate uses a clean, disposable face mask around the house.
  • Keep the room and bathroom of the sick individual clean, disinfected, and sanitized as thoroughly and frequently as possible.
• If you suspect that you or a housemate may be ill, notify work, school, daycare, or other obligations immediately and let them know you’ll not be in. Request work or schoolwork to be sent home.
• Stay well-informed about COVID-19. Receive up-to-date information regarding local outbreaks, school closures, and other changes in your community from trusted media source updates.

Please keep in mind: no matter how comprehensive this list, and others like it, it’s still vital that you keep up-to-date with the guidance and recommendations provided by your local and provincial public health authorities.

Course of Construction insurance also referred to as “Builders’ Risk”, provides coverage for buildings throughout the course of construction. And it’s required!

Imagine a construction team heads home from a residential building project on Friday afternoon. Over the course of the hot and sunny weekend, an oil-soaked rag left in a bucket in the garage ignites due to overheating and destroys all the materials as well as the house, itself.

Without proper and necessary Course of Construction (COC) Insurance, the rebuild, and replacement of materials would be entirely laid at the building contractor’s feet.

Builders’ Risk Insurance is designed to insure building projects – residential or commercial – that are under construction against the costs of replacement, rebuild, or repair in the event of an accident similar to that described above.

COC provides both the building owner or developer, as well as the general contractor, valuable protection and peace of mind.

COC protects not only the contractor, but the owner as well, from any devastating results of incidents such as floods, fires, vandalism or theft, and any other unwelcome potential accidents to a construction site. When you insure your project for the entire course of construction, you enjoy financial protection in the case of loss or damage to the materials, appliances, and fixtures that make up the completed construction.

Typically, most policies are provided on an “all-risk” basis – the amount of coverage is equivalent to the building’s finished value.

COC insurance is always purchased prior to the first steps of construction – digging and pouring the foundations.

Is my general contractor required to buy Course of Construction coverage?

Generally, a builder’s risk policy covers a number of stakeholders. A standard policy can be purchased by the owner, the general contractor, the architect, an engineer, or the project manager. However, most often, the insurance purchase is the owner’s responsibility, unless it’s identified in the building contract that it falls to another party.

Subcontractors are often fundamental to any building project. They are also included in a COC insurance policy as “unnamed insureds,” falling under the same coverage benefits regardless if the policy was purchased by the owner or the contractor.

In most cases, it’s the contractor who bears responsibility for any losses as a result of their negligence, but the project owner is usually responsible for most other damages or losses.

What are the limits of coverage?

The COC policy is designed to provide fairly broad and comprehensive coverage, however, it doesn’t necessarily cover all property connected to the building project, and nor does it cover each and every risk. It is vital that you discuss your specific needs with your insurance agent, as COC insurance is only one component in the range of insurance options that applies to the construction industry.

There is other coverage available through what is referred to as endorsements, or through other policies designed specifically to provide protection against the range of risks not included in a standard Builder’s Risk policy.

Questions about an upcoming building project and the policy that you need? We can help! Contact us today!

Slips on ice and snow can happen easily. As a homeowner, it’s important to know you could be held liable for the slip and fall of a visitor to your owned or rented property. 

With all of this recent snow, not to mention the plunging temperatures, the chances of someone having an accident due to weather conditions increase significantly. Consequently, it’s doubly important that you maintain your steps, porches, and walkways – keeping them clear – to ensure the safety of your visitors and, if you own a rental property, your tenants and their visitors.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for keeping your property, which includes any stairs, walkways, and driveways clear of snow and ice and as safe as possible for anyone who uses them. Before anyone – a courier, delivery person, repair technician, babysitter, or otherwise visits, be aware of potential cold-weather hazards, outdoors and in:

• Ice and snow – shovel and/or sand to keep any walking surfaces clear as per bylaw timeframes and apply salt where needed
• Maintain any unexpected surface or elevation issues such as gaps or surface cracks – fix problems that lie within your property line and/or report issues that exist on municipally-owned property (for instance, uneven sidewalks)
• Apply non-slip mats or coverings on indoor surfaces that become slippery when wet
• Make repairs or replace loose or missing handrails on stairs
• It isn’t just snow and ice – debris such as wet leaves can be slippery and potentially hazardous
• Ensure there is adequate light to illuminate stairs and walkways

Do you know your legal liability?

It’s important to understand that if you may be held liable for trips, slips, and falls if you haven’t provided a reasonable standard of maintenance in keeping your home and property free of potential hazards. Keep this in mind as you plan a party or yard or garage sale.

If you rent your home, the responsibility and, therefore, liability could possibly be shared with your landlord. Who exactly will be held liable will depend on the circumstances of the mishap or accident. If you are a renter with roommates, be sure that your lease agreement clearly states and identifies your responsibilities.

The criteria considered tends to include the following:

• Did the homeowner’s actions conform to acceptable standards of practice?
• Was the hazard or danger foreseeable?
• How easily could the danger have been prevented?
• Did the hazard or danger exist for an unreasonable amount of time?

The most sure-fire way of avoiding liability is prevention. Be diligent in keeping your property free of hazards and regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to defend yourself against a claim or lawsuit should one occur.

What do you do if there is an accident:

1. Of course, you assist the injured person, including to find medical treatment and call an ambulance if necessary in finding medical treatment.
2. Document the names and contact information of any witnesses. Be sure to collect and record detailed descriptions of the incident from the victim as well as witnesses.
3. Mention any discussions with the claimant to your insurer. DO NOT ADMIT LIABILITY!
4. Take pictures and/or video of the area where the incident occurred. If you can, get a photograph of the footwear the injured person was wearing.
5. Document the exact events of the incident as well as you can. This may be valuable as you establish a defense for a claim and assist your insurer to analyze the exact cause of the incident.
6. Report the incident to your insurer quickly. Provide for them:
   1. All incident details
   2. Any details regarding your actions to help avoid the incident.
7. Explore and investigate the potential causes of the accident and take the necessary steps to prevent and/or respond more effectively to similar incidents in the future.

Questions about personal liability and accidents around your home? Talk to us!

Ensure your valuable peace of mind as you head out on the road for the winter. Don’t leave anything to chance – purchase RV and motorhome insurance!

The warm weather of the south is calling and you’re excited to start planning your road-trip! But, as you check things off the list before hitting the road in your motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel or tent trailer make sure you’ve covered ALL your bases. You’ve invested a significant amount in your home-away-from-home and it requires the appropriate coverage to ensure it’s protected throughout your travels.

RV or Motorhome Insurance

Purchasing insurance for your RV or motorhome isn’t much different than that for a car, truck, or van. it becomes distinct when you take into consideration “standard equipment” and “contents”, elements not typically covered by your typical vehicle insurance policy.

“Standard equipment” includes the components attached to the motorhome, such as the appliances. The “contents” covered included items such as dishes, cooking utensils, linens, etc.

Questions? Contact us for a complete list of items considered “standard” and “contents”.

Insurance for Travel Trailers, Fifth Wheels

Travel trailers and fifth wheels can actually be insured through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). For example, when you purchase a “Vehicle Travel Protection” package from ICBC for your auto, the camper or trailer that you are towing will be protected.

There can be limits to the protection included under this type of policy. Ask us! 

Whether your unit is brand new or of a more vintage variety model we are happy to customize a package for you.  Guaranteed replacement cost is available for units 10 years or newer. An insured total loss in the first 10 years could be settled with a new current model year unit.

It’s not unusual for your home insurance to cover some of the contents of your trailer or fifth wheel—up to certain limits. Additional coverage may be required if those limits aren’t sufficient to cover the true value of the contents of your trailer including awnings and outbuildings.

Questions? Need a quote? Contact us!

Additional Coverage for Motorhomes and Travel Trailers

Consider other coverage options to ensure your valuable assets are fully covered:

• Comprehensive Coverage: For protection from just about any direct, sudden, and accidental loss, including collision, fire, smoke, flood, landslide, hail, windstorm, animals, vandalism, low branches or overhangs, theft and lightning.
• Unit in Storage: Trailers, fifth wheels, tent trailers and campers require special insurance while in storage. If they are used as living accommodation, they require still another type of coverage.
• Attached Accessories: Includes awnings, satellite dishes and TV antennas.
• Emergency Expenses: Pays for lodging or travel home if your rig is damaged or destroyed by a covered loss more than 50 miles from home.
• Campsite/Vacation Liability: Provides liability coverage when you are parked and using your motorhome as a residence.
• Replacement Cost Policy: This type of policy provides broad coverage, with the standard insurance exclusions, and a replacement cost settlement that is based on the current depreciated value of the motorhome or travel trailers.
• Guaranteed Replacement Cost Policy: This policy also provides broad coverage with the standard exclusions, but the replacement costs are calculated based on the value of providing a new, but comparable, motorhome or travel trailer.
• Full Timers Coverage: Provides comprehensive personal liability, stored personal contents, and additional living expense coverage if you are living full-time in your motorhome or travel trailer.

Take advantage of our emergency vacation coverage, as most losses occur while away from home. Talk to us!