Recovering from an Emergency

The best way to recover from any emergency (whether an individual house fire or a widespread hurricane) is to have insurance based on your family circumstances. Knowing and understanding your insurance policy is important before the emergency so when the time comes and you may need it, your family will be able to recover faster.  There are some items or situations that are not insurable, or insurance is not readily available, therefore in those circumstances, the provincial and federal governments may assist.

For larger provincial emergencies, the province may begin a Disaster Assistance Program which is intended to help residential property owners/tenants, or small businesses with costs to repair or replace uninsurable, essential basic property loss (like appliances and furniture). Repair and replacement costs for insured and insurable items (even if insurance wasn’t purchased) are not eligible for assistance.

In the event of a large-scale disaster where response and recovery costs exceed what the province could reasonably be expected to bear on their own, Public Safety Canada may provide financial assistance to the provincial governments through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA). Assistance is paid to the province, not directly to individuals or communities. The provincial government would design, develop and deliver disaster financial assistance, determining the amounts and types of assistance that will be provided to those who have experienced losses.

Source: Public Safety Canada