Fort McMurray

On May 1, 2016, the residents of the municipality of Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta were enjoying an early summer, with record breaking temperatures of 30° + and no sign of rain in the forecast. Little did they know their lives would be turned upside down in days to come. A wildfire was beginning southwest of the city of Fort McMurray, and because of the hot, arid weather, there was no stopping its destructive path. On May 3^rd a mandatory evacuation order was given for the town and over 100,000 residents were told to leave their homes, and leave quickly. People were displaced to evacuation centres and told to ‘wait and see’ what would happen next.

Over the coming days the fire would grow to 101,000 hectares, destroying almost everything it touched. And there was no rain in sight.

Pembridge was there to respond and support our customers. Here's how...

Allstate Canada Group Offers Assistance to Northern Alberta Customers and Donates $25,000 to Canadian Red Cross

In response to the devastating wildfires spreading across Fort McMurray and surrounding areas this week, the Allstate Canada Group of Companies (Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and Pembridge Insurance Company)announced today that it is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with emergency relief efforts.

Protect Your Home from Wildfires

Be Prepared

A debris-free lawn around your home may be your best protection against wildfire as it acts as a natural firebreak between the house and surrounding area. Keep the perimeter of your home free of dead leaves, brush or other debris and keep trees and bushes trimmed to ensure branches are not touching your home. Store firewood and other sources of fuel at least 10 metres away from the walls of your home.
Keep grass mowed and watered since it is flammable. This includes trees, shrubs, deadfall and woodpiles.
Keep a fire extinguisher and install smoke detectors on every floor of your home. Be sure your fire extinguisher is labelled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
Test smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries twice a year. Pick memorable dates to do this, such as daylight savings time.
Homes located in or near a forested area are at the greatest risk of wildfire. When building or upgrading your home, consider using fire-resistant material such as metal, asphalt and ULC-treated shakes for roofs. Use stucco, metal, brick and concrete for the foundation. The most fire-resistant glass is tempered glass.
Put together an emergency preparedness plan and kit in case you have to evacuate. The kit should include a three-day supply of food, water and other essentials.
Practise your emergency preparedness plan with your family to ensure that they know what to do in the event of a fire. Rehearse the Stop, Drop and Roll drill so that family members know what to do if their clothes catch on fire.

In the Event of a Wildfire

Smoke is the cause of the majority of fire-related deaths. Be sure to stay low and cover your mouth and nose. Breathe through a damp cloth to avoid smoke inhalation.
Protect exposed skin with clothing or non-flammable material. If you are spending time outdoors, like camping, consider wearing natural fibres such as wool or cotton. Synthetic fabrics, even if worn as underwear, are more flammable.
If you are indoors, keep doors and windows closed and all lights on to aid visibility.

Be ready to evacuate at any time. When you need to leave, quickly gather all family members and pets and head to the meeting place listed in your emergency preparedness plan. Follow the directions of local authorities and all evacuation orders.

Submitting a Claim | Ft. McMurray and Area Wildfire

Our thoughts are with those affected by the wildfires in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas. We know this is a difficult time for the residents of Fort McMurray who have been affected by the ongoing wild fires. Please know that we are working hard to assist our customers who have been evacuated from their homes. The safety of you and your family is the most important thing right now. Please follow all instructions from Alberta Emergency Services and do not return to your home until they instruct it is safe to do so.

We recommend you contact your broker as soon as you experience a loss, or are evacuated to understand your coverage. Your insurance broker has the experience and expertise to provide you with the answers you need and will guide you throught the claims process.

We want to reassure you that our Claims Services network is on alert and ready to provide emergency services to those customers impacted by this tragedy. Depending on the severity of the fire and areas affected, we could encounter high call volumes and call wait time could increase.

To make a claim:

If you have been affected by the wildfires and need to make a property or auto claim, please take the following steps:

Promise Line: 1-800-661-1577
Fax: 1-800-920-3140
Website: Submit an Auto Claim / Submit a Property Claim

Once you can return to your home, assess and document the damage - taking photos and/or video is helpful and may speed up the claims process.

List all damage or destroyed items for the claims representative.
If possible, show proofs of purchase, photos of items, receipts and any warranties you may have.
Keep damaged items for assessment unless they pose a health hazard.

After you have reported a loss, you will be assigned a claims adjuster who will guide you through the rest of the process.

If you are a Pembridge customer and you need some cash immediately to cover living expenses, please call us 1-800-661-1577.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the questions you may have at this time. If you have additional questions please contact your broker or our Claims department, we are here to help.

I’ve been affected by wildfire and was ordered to leave my home, what will my insurance cover?

Our home and tenant policies cover fire damage to the home and contents. In addition if residents need to leave their home because of mandatory evacuation orders, your Pembridge policy will also offer some coverage for reasonable living expenses incurred for a specified period of time subject to your policy deductible. If you intend to present a claim for Mass Evacuation, be sure to keep copies of all receipts.

I left my home without my insurance documents and I don’t know my policy number. Can I still make a claim?

Absolutely. The most important action was to get your family and yourself out of your home and to safety. We can access the information we need to help you with your claim.

Property insurance on your residence provides coverage to loss due to fire.
Auto insured’s who carry Physical Damage Coverage (All Perils, Comprehensive or Specified Perils) are covered for damage caused by fire to the automobile
If residents who have their property insurance with us have had to leave their homes because of this mandatory evacuation order issued by civil authorities, our Homeowner, Condo and Tenant insurance policies will provide coverage for reasonable additional living expenses as per the limit in the policy for a specified period of time (Mass Evacuation Coverage).

Additional Living Expense Coverage is available to those whose homes have been lost or damaged due to the fire or another insured loss.

Allstate Canada Group Offers Assistance to Northern Alberta Customers and Donates $25,000 to Canadian Red Cross

In response to the devastating wildfires spreading across Fort McMurray and surrounding areas this week, the Allstate Canada Group of Companies (Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and Pembridge Insurance Company) announced today that it is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with emergency relief efforts.

Pembridge Response to Alberta Wildfires | May 11, 2016

The situation in Fort McMurray continues to evolve and our thoughts are with those who have been evacuated from the wildfires and who continue to bravely face down so much uncertainty at this time. Pembridge is responding to ensure customer’s expectations are met.

We will be making a corporate donation to the Canadian Red Cross for $25,000 and have launched an employee donation matching program.
Our claims department and broker partners proactively contacted our customers by phone and email.
The Allstate Canada Group deployed a team of claims professionals to both Edmonton and Calgary primary evacuee locations.
Our claims team has sourced a location to operate from when the area is safe, ready to respond on the ground.

Alberta Wildfire Re-Entry Information | June 1, 2016

We know this is a difficult time for the residents of Fort McMurray who have been affected by the wildfires. Please know that we are working hard to assist our customers who have been evacuated as they plan to return to their homes over the coming weeks. The safety of you and your family is the most important thing right now. Please follow all instructions from Alberta Emergency Services and do not return to your home until they instruct it is safe to do so.

We have prepared a document to assist you through the process.

Here is what you need to know as you prepare to return home.

Ensure local authorities have granted permission for you to return to your home.
Remember to visit rmwb.ca regularly for boil water advisory information and other important updates.
Follow all re-entry instructions from the authorities. They are there to keep you and your family safe.
If possible, secure items like garbage bags, protective gloves, face masks, goggles and a flashlight. The Canadian Red Cross is offering free clean up kits to evacuees which are available for pick up at every Information Centre.
Thoroughly check for hazards before returning and entering to your home. Exercise safety and caution at all times.
Do not attempt to restore your own utilities. The authorities will ensure that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected.
If you smell gas, exit your home immediately and call ATCO Gas at 1-800-511-3447.
Document the damage and make an inventory for your insurance claims by taking videos or photos.
Do not handle hazardous materials.
If you left your car when you were evacuated and it was damaged or burned, do not attempt to start or move it.
If it is safe and you wish to start cleaning up your home you may do so. Remember to keep track of the time spent and copies of your expenses to provide to your insurance company for reimbursement. Taking pictures prior to starting to clean up is a great wayto document the work that was needed.

The Government of Alberta and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo have created a detailed re-entry information booklet that we suggest you take the time to read http://www.rmwb.ca/News-Room/RMWB-Wildfire-Information/Wildfire-Re-Entry-Plan.htm

Our Claims teams are responding to calls and emails and our brokers are available to provide any assistance needed. You can also direct questions or insurance claim reports to Pembridge Insurance Company’s claims line, 24/7, at 1-800-661-1577.