Western General Insurance
160-340 Midpark Way SE T2X1P1 Calgary, AB, Canada

What causes a sewer backup? A sewer backup occurs when something blocks the normal flow of wastewater from your house to the city’s sanitary sewer, and the sewage starts to back up into your home. There are several factors that can contribute to a sewer backup, including: Aging sewer systems Too much rainwater or melted snow entering the sewer system at once Broken or collapsed sewer lines... A cracked or deteriorated sewer lateral (the pipeline between the city's sanitary sewer main and your home) Tree roots entering sewer lines Blockages in city sanitary mains Blockages in plumbing inside a building Sump pump failure Check out the full blog with video https://www.economical.com//april-2019/how-to-prevent-a-se|blog|p|1|en-CA #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #broker #albertainsurance #sewerbackup #waterdamage #prevention #causes #protectyourself #claims #propertyinsurance #home #tenant #condo #farm #rental #business #auto #travel #callus

Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims in Canada and there are many ways unwanted water can end up in your home. One common cause of water damage is sewer backup, which happens when water begins to flow backwards into your home. Yes, this is just as unpleasant as it sounds. Not only does exposure to sewage pose a health hazard, but the clean-up process is extensive and costly. Over the next few days we’ll be focused on sewer backup. How to recognize it,... what causes it and how to help prevent it. How do you recognize a sewer backup? You may not always recognize signs of a potential sewer backup until it’s too late but contact a plumber right away if you notice: Seepage at basement floor drains A foul smell coming from your drains Toilets aren’t flushing like they should, and plunging doesn’t help More than one drain in your house is clogged When you use one piece of plumbing (like a toilet), water backs up somewhere else Bubbling after you flush a toilet or when a sink is trying to drain (and it happens more than once) #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #broker #albertainsurance #sewerbackup #waterdamage #prevention #causes #protectyourself #claims #propertyinsurance #home #tenant #condo #farm #rental #business #auto #travel #callus

We have covered what to do before and during a wildfire (see our last two posts to catch up). When local authorities say it’s safe to return to your home, follow these steps to make the transition as smooth as possible: Pack some supplies. Before you head home, try to gather these basic supplies: o Gloves o Goggles o Closed-toe shoes... o A cell phone (with a camera) and a charger o A flashlight o Bottled water o Garbage bags o A first aid kit Walk around the perimeter of your home before you go inside. Look for out-of-place electrical wiring, gas smells, or loose debris. If you notice downed power lines or a gas smell, call your hydro or gas company before entering your house. Enter your house carefully and turn off the main power breaker before you make your way through the rest of the house. If you have to use a generator, a charcoal grill, or another fuel-burning device, make sure you keep it outdoors, and in a well-ventilated area. Don’t drink the water. Stick to bottled water until your local officials have confirmed your tap water is safe to drink, and avoid flushing the toilet until you know that your sewer or septic system is in good working order. When in doubt, throw it out. Food and drinks inside your fridge or freezer should likely be tossed if your house lost power for an extended period of time or was exposed to heat, ash, smoke, or any of the chemicals used to put out fires. Canned items that are sealed and don’t appear damaged should be wiped clean in case they’ve been exposed to any harmful chemicals. Bonus tip: Take pictures of anything you’re throwing out. Your home insurance policy could help pay to replace the foods you have to throw away. Take photographs of any damage before you begin cleaning up. This can make it easier for your insurance company to process your claim. Contact your home insurance broker. If your home has sustained damage, your broker can coordinate with your insurance company to help you get repairs underway. Be prepared to provide some important details about the damage to your broker or the claims representative from your insurance company Full article, visit https://www.economical.com//before-during-and-after-a-wild #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #wildfireprevention #forestfire #britishcolumbia #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

Further to yesterday’s post on how to prepare prior to a wildfire, keep these tips in mind when you’re aware that wildfires have begun and are approaching your town or neighbourhood: Monitor the local news and obey the authorities. Evacuation notices and other directions from your local authorities should be announced on your local news station. Always obey directions given by your local or provincial government. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice. If an evacuat...ion notice is issued, you might not have much time to get ready to leave your home. It’s a good idea to pack a bag of items you couldn’t live without (don’t forget medications and important documents), and leave your vehicle parked in a position that will make it easy to drive away quickly. Keep your windows and doors closed to limit your exposure to smoke and dust. If you have time, consider covering vents, windows, and other openings with duct tape and plywood. Wet your roof and property. Unless local authorities have asked you to limit your water use, consider using a sprinkler to soak your roof and property. Save receipts for additional living expenses. If a government authority orders you to evacuate, your home insurance policy could cover out-of-pocket expenses like food and a place to stay. Keep receipts for any costs you wouldn’t normally face while living in your own home. #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #wildfireprevention #forestfire #britishcolumbia #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

Wildfires (or forest fires) can cause extensive damage to our homes, harm our environment, and put our lives at risk. We will be offering tips care of @EconomicalInsurance over the next few days. Take a little time to familiarize yourself with some steps you can take before, during, and after a wildfire to keep your home and family safe and sound. Consider these tips to prepare for a wildfire before one arrives: Keep an eye on the local news. Pay attention to local media du...ring wildfire season and listen for warnings about wildfires that could affect you. Learn how to prevent wildfires. While most wildfires occur naturally, many are caused by people especially during the hot, dry summer months. Learn seven simple things you can do to help prevent a wildfire. Map out your escape routes. Create a map of your home and mark an emergency exit from each room (if a window is the best option, make sure everyone knows how to open it from the inside). If you live in an apartment or condo, learn the best ways to get out (including at least one emergency exit that doesn’t require the elevator). Keep flammable items away from your home’s perimeter. This means removing flammable curtains and other materials, as well as removing garden debris like dry branches and leaves (don’t forget to clean your gutters regularly, too). Practice fire safety techniques. Make sure the whole family knows how to stop, drop, and roll in case anyone’s clothing catches fire. Make sure your home and belongings are properly insured. If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your home inventory or reviewed your home insurance policy, contact your licensed broker to make sure you have the protection you need. You should also consider asking your broker what kind of coverage for additional living expenses (like food and shelter) is included in your policy in case you need to evacuate. Prepare your emergency kit. It should be portable and include at least three days’ worth of supplies for each member of your household (including pets). #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #wildfireprevention #forestfire #britishcolumbia #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

The Insurance Bureau of Canada has estimated the average cost of a flooded basement to repair- $43,000. Flood insurance can help cover that cost however most traditional flood insurance plans only cover flooding from sewer backup and do not apply when the water comes in through a basement wall or window- commonly known as overland flooding. This is why homeowners need to ensure their policy includes this coverage as well as the cap for damage. Severe weather caused $1.9 billi...on in insured damage last year, according to IBCstatistics. It was the fourth-most expensive year on record, even without a single catastrophic disaster like the 2013 Calgary flood or the 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray. Summer storms caused more than $240 million in insured damage across the Prairies last year, IBC says. #wgiyyc #oigyyc #economicalinsurance #blog #tips #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #flood #basement #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

Oversharing on social media might be overrated. A study conducted with 50 ex-burglars in the UK found that 78% of them used social media to identify houses whose owners were absent. Troubling? Here’s a little guide of the top mistakes to avoid to help protect you care of @IntactInsurance 1. Revealing your address- Never post photos of the front of your home or any detail that could give a clear indication of where you live (like the house number). 2. Showing where... you are 3. Sharing your vacation photos while you’re still on vacation 4. Displaying your riches on social media For all the details, check out the full blog #wgiyyc #oigyyc #intactinsurance #homeinsurance #insurance #broker #socialmedia #theft #kimkardashian #alberta #yyc #yeg #edmonton #calgary #okotoks #chestermere #airdrie #reddeer #lethbridge #fortmac #medicinehat

Wildfires are natural threats to any forested area or grassland region across the country. Not only do they do a number on our environment, but they can displace thousands of people and do significant damage to their homes. While many wildfires occur naturally (often due to hot, dry weather and lightning strikes), many are caused by people and can be easily prevented. Here are a few simple things you can do to help reduce the risk of wildfires at home, on the road, at the cot...tage, or on the campsite: 1. Take fire bans and local laws seriously. 2. Keep candles covered. 3. Contain your campfire. If you’re planning on having a campfire in an area where it’s permitted, keep these tips in mind to prevent it from turning into a wildfire: Pick a spot that’s close to a water source and sheltered from the wind, at least three metres away from logs, stumps, trees, branches, or other debris, and 15 metres away from buildings or tents. Build your campfire on bare dirt or a rock surface and surround it with a ring of rocks to help keep it contained; remove any debris like pine needles, grass, leaves, or twigs from the area. Keep it small fires smaller than one metre high and one metre wide are easiest to control and put out. Before you light your fire, make sure you have a bucket of at least eight litres of water and a shovel on hand to help contain or put out the fire in an emergency. Never leave your campfire unattended (not even for a few minutes). Before you leave the area or when you’re finished enjoying your campfire, pour lots of water on it, then stir it with a stick or shovel. Then, pour more water on it to make sure it’s out (the ashes should be soaking wet and cool to the touch). 4. Dunk your cigarette butts in water. 5. Steer clear of tall grass. 6. Be careful with fireworks. 7. Skip the yard waste bonfire. Read the full article #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #yycinsurance #albertainsurance #insurance #callus #broker #insurancebroker #auto #home #business #needtoknow #protectyourself #campfiresafety #wildfires #firesafety #fireban #economical

It’s terminology Tuesday, today’s term is comprehensive coverage COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE Comprehensive insurance reimburses you for damage to your own car from causes other than collision or overturning. The comprehensive portion of your policy pays for loss due to perils like hail, flood, theft, fire, glass breakage, falling objects, missiles, explosions, earthquakes, windstorms, vandalism or malicious mischief, riot or civil commotion, and collision with a bird or an anim...al. When you look at a policy's comprehensive coverage, check for exclusions or limitations. If you have a special audio system installed in your car, for example, you should make sure your policy would cover the cost of the equipment if it were damaged or stolen. It's also important to know if the policy pays for the actual cash value of damaged or stolen property (its current value after depreciation has been subtracted or the full amount required to replace it today.) #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #yycinsurance #albertainsurance #insurance #callus #broker #insurancebroker #auto #home #business #needtoknow #protectyourself #terminologytuesday #comprehensive #comp #definition #term

It’s terminology Tuesday, today’s term is collision coverage COLLISION COVERAGE An optional coverage designed to provide protection for your vehicle when damage occurs as a result of a collision with another object. This coverage is optional and may be purchased in addition to the mandatory coverages required by law, and it is subject to a deductible. #wgiyyc #oigyyc #insurancewizards #yycinsurance #albertainsurance #insurance #callus #broker #insurancebroker #auto #home #business #needtoknow #protectyourself #terminologytuesday #collision #definition #term

There is a lot of information about home insurance out there, but not all of it is necessarily true. Don’t worry, Intact Insurance has you covered: read on they debunk five common myths about home insurance. For the full explanations of each myth, check out the article Myth #1: You may not need home insurance You may not technically need home insurance unless it comes as a condition from your bank or mortgage holder. Nevertheless, given the sizeable investment, it makes sense... to obtain coverage and make sure that it suits your specific needs. Myth #2: Renovations do not impact coverage Homes evolve over time. Throughout the years, you and your family will make yours your own. Renovations are almost inevitable and these will increase the value of your property. As physical aspects change, so should your insurance. That’s why it’s in your best interest as a customer to inform your insurance broker of any changes so you can update your policy accordingly and ensure you’re always adequately covered. Additionally, if you have work done, you may want to consider increasing your coverage, especially when hiring contractors. So, before tackling home renovations, talk to your broker. Myth #3: What’s inside doesn’t really count In short: yes, it does. The effectiveness of your contents coverage depends on what you have in your home and whether it is accounted for. Myth #4: Protection is about things, not people While you must take care to cover your home and its contents, it is equally important to consider the people you live with when you structure your coverage; personal liability applies to them.l Myth #5: When you go away, your coverage stays home Certain policies require homeowners to be on site for regular intervals or, at the very least, to have someone look in on the property. #wgiyyc #insurancewizards #oigyyc #intactinsurance #homemaintenance #myths #insurance #insurancenews #homeinsurance #canada #alberta #calgary #yyc #yeg #edmonton #fortmac #stalbert #okotoks #cochrane #airdrie #chestermere #reddeer #lethbridge #broker #familyowned #customerservice

The sun has stuck around long enough that it might be safe to say that spring is officially here! Unfortunately that means it is spring cleaning time but the good thing about home maintenance this time of year, is that you actually get to do most of it while enjoying the sun! @IntactInsurance put together a checklist to help you get started and avoid unexpected events the season might bring to your home, so that you can focus on what matters most to you. Here is a sample but ...for the full list check out the article. Outside your home Clean out and repair gutters and downspouts Disconnect any downspouts connected directly to the weeping tiles Install a frost-free hose bib that is intended to prevent pipes from splitting when water freezes in the winter season Repair driveways, walkways, patio deterioration and seal cracks Paint or stain exterior trim, fences and decks as needed Repair damage on the outside of your home, including cracks or storm damage Find and seal any foundation, crawlspace, or basement crack, seepage or leaks Wash and repair holes in window and door screens If you have a masonry chimney, check the joints between the bricks or stones for vegetation growth or mortar deterioration; re-seal if necessary with a water-resistant barrier material available at your local hardware store Make sure air conditioning units are in good working orderchange the filter, check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the drain pans are draining freely Inside your home Inspect the attic for signs of roof leaks, mould, or critters Arrange for an annual flue cleaning for your chimney Clean out lint from dryer exhaust ducts Inspect the washing machine and dishwasher hoses and clean the filters Consider replacing the hot water tank if it’s over 10 years old Change batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to be sure they work properly Check your multi-purpose fire extinguishers to ensure they work and are readily accessible Inspect sinks, faucets, toilets, showers, tubs and your hot water tank for leaks Consider replacing old appliance hoses with stainless steel braided hoses #wgiyyc #insurancewizards #oigyyc #intactinsurance #spring #springcleaning #outside #sun #homemaintenance #insurance #insurancenews #homeinsurance #canada #alberta #calgary #yyc #yeg #edmonton #fortmac #stalbert #okotoks #cochrane #airdrie #chestermere #reddeer #lethbridge #broker #familyowned #customerservice