After recent summer flooding in parts of Ontario, the Insurance Bureau of Canada shared guidance to help residents understand what to do as they begin the insurance claims and recovery process.

Inspired by the article, we have put together a checklist to outline practical steps you can take after a water-related loss to protect your property from further damage, document the damage that has occurred, and give your insurer the information they need to review your claim as quickly and efficiently as possible. While every policy is different, acting quickly and keeping clear records can help make the process smoother and reduce the risk of further damage to your property.

• Document the damage right away. Take clear photos and videos of all affected areas, including walls, floors, furniture, appliances, personal belongings, and any visible source of water. This documentation creates a record of the damage before cleanup begins (or the water recedes) and gives your insurer important evidence to assess the claim accurately. If water is currently still entering your property, if possible (and if safe to do so) try and take a photo to include the water’s entry point, as this will help verify how the water damage originally occurred.
• Contact your Staebler insurance broker or insurer as soon as possible. Prompt notice helps get the claims process started and allows your broker or insurer to confirm next steps before you incur major expenses. If it is outside of normal business hours, call Staebler’s emergency claims hotline number: 1.877.877.9966 or your insurance company’s claims number. Claims contact information is available on our website at: Making a Claim – Staebler Insurance
• Gather proof of purchase for damaged items, where possible. Receipts, invoices, manuals, warranties, photos, or credit card statements can help verify ownership, age, and value. Having this information ready may make it easier for the adjuster to review replacement costs and can help avoid delays in the claim process.
• Keep damaged items unless they pose a health or safety risk. Items such as furniture, flooring, electronics, or personal property may need to be reviewed as part of the claim. Keeping them available, when safe to do so, helps preserve evidence of the loss and gives the insurer a clearer understanding of what was damaged.
  • If wet, contaminated, or mold-damaged items must be disposed of for health reasons, take photos first and keep a written record of each item, including a brief description and value.
• Keep receipts for cleanup, mitigation, and remediation service costs. Save receipts for emergency repairs, water extraction, fans, dehumidifiers, cleaning supplies, contractor services, and/or any other restoration work. These records show what actions were taken to limit further damage and may be needed to support reimbursement under your policy.
• Track additional living expenses if you need to relocate. If your home is unsafe or unlivable because of the water damage, keep receipts for hotel stays, short-term rentals, meals, transportation, and other necessary costs. These details help document expenses connected to being temporarily displaced and may support coverage for additional living expenses, depending on your policy and coverage.

In the moment you need to make a claim, a licensed insurance broker remains your best resource. They provide advice, guidance, and advocate for you with the insurance company during a claim.

Interested in working with Staebler Insurance? Give Staebler a shot to protect your most valued assets. Get started today at Get A Quote – Staebler Insurance

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Staebler Insurance is a general insurance broker specializing in car insurance, home insurance, small business insurance, and commercial insurance. Staebler Insurance Brokers proudly serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Listowel, Fergus, Elora, Wellington County, Perth County, Waterloo Region, the Greater Toronto Area, Golden Horseshoe, Niagara Region, and all over beautiful Ontario, Canada. 🍁 Get a Quote to get started today.