What is Flood Insurance in Canada?

Updated May 31, 2024
Fact checked by
Vincent Morin
Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin

Vincent Morin
Vincent achieved financial independence and retired early (FIRE) at the age of 35. After a career in financial technologies for a large American investment bank, he founded Retraite101, a personal finance site that reaches more than 350,000 unique visitors per year and has more than 30,000 subscribers on social media. Passionate about personal finance, cycling, reading and gardening, he continues to write to inspire and motivate Quebecers to take charge of their finances.
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flood insurance assurance inondations

Some comprehensive policies will cover flood damages that are caused by a burst pipe. However, it is rare to find any home insurances that offer additional coverage from overland flooding and sewage flooding.

However, recently some companies have been offering endorsements, so you’re able to cover your home from this situation. These endorsements include coverages from sewage backup damage or overland flooding caused by freshwater rivers and storms. Flooding caused by saltwater currently isn’t a coverage that is available in Canada.

From an insurance perspective, flood damage is considered the below events.

  • Flooding caused by a natural dam failure
  • Snow melting floods caused in spring
  • Storm rainfall
  • Other structure failures that are related to water engineering

Just so you’re aware, if you experience flood damage which is caused by a burst pipe, flood insurance may not cover it. However, most comprehensive home insurances will.

Which Insurance Providers Offer Flood Insurance?

In Canada, there isn’t a lot of insurance providers that offer flood insurance. However, over the recent year’s insurance companies have started adding on this coverage.

Aviva Canada

Aviva Canada has three parts to their water coverage and is automatically added to any comprehensive insurance plan purchased through them.

First is their base water coverage; this is automatically added to any comprehensive home insurance that is purchased through them and protects you from damages caused by burst water pipes.

The second and third parts of their water protection insurance are add-ons. Here you’ll be able to add both sewer backup coverage and overland flood protection.

The Co-operators

The Co-operators insurance doesn’t offer the same amount of protection from the above. Nevertheless, a lot better than most providers based in Canada. Here the Co-operators will be able to provide you with the following:

  • Extended water – This is an available extra for all residents in Canada and will protect them from sewage-related floods, such as an overflow of an outside drain.
  • Comprehensive water – Again, another optional add-on. But this time, it’s only available to people living in Alberta and Ontario. Here you’ll be able to get coverage on such events as heavy rain.

Intact Insurance

Like most providers, this one also offers protection against burst pipes in their comprehensive home insurances. However, they also present enhanced water damage coverage depending on your requirements. These packages include:

  • Sewer backup – Like the above, any water damage caused by a sewage-related flood will be covered as well as septic system failures, blockages and backups.
  • Water and sewer lines – Cover yourself with up to $10,000 coverage to repair exterior water or sewer lines that have resulted in damages caused by a break, tear, or rupture.

Since flood insurance is relativity new to Canadians, there aren’t many providers that offer great coverage. However, in recent years there’s been a steady increase of insurance companies hopping on board with this, and, I’m sure many more in the future.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine

Jean-Maximilien Voisine
Jean-Maximilien, President and Founder of Milesopedia, is a recognized expert in rewards programs, credit cards, and travel in Canada and France. Approaching forty and a father of two, he has travelled to over 100 countries, half of them with his children and his wife, Audrey. Specializing in top loyalty programs like Aeroplan, American Express Membership Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy, he guides travellers to maximize their benefits across North America and Europe.
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