We offer insurance to many professional
groups in Ontario. If your group is listed below
please click on the group to be directed to your
specific section. If you have any questions about
group insurance with North City please call.
GROUP INSURANCE
• Firefighters
• Fire Chiefs
• Volunteer Firefighters
• Paramedics
• CAIRP
• Multimatic
• PricewaterhouseCoopers
Sewer Back-Up vs. Water Seepage
Most comprehensive homeowner packages cover loss or damage resulting from the sudden and accidental escape of water unless it is caused by freezing. This includes water from a water main, swimming pool or from a plumbing, heating, sprinkler or domestic appliance located inside or outside your dwelling. Sewer back-up coverage is not normally include on a homeowner policy, but can usually be added for a nominal fee. This coverage provides protection for loss or damages caused by the rupture, back-up or escape of water from a sewer, sump, drain, storm drain or septic tank. Most sewer back-ups are caused when the amount of water forced into the sewers can’t get away from your home fast enough. While we cannot control sewer back-up, sump pumps and proper sewer design and maintenance can help prevent these losses. On the other hand, homeowner packages will NOT cover loss or damage that is caused by the continuous or repeated seepage or leakage of water or by ground water or other water below the surface of the ground, unless it is caused by the escape of water from a public water main or swimming pool. Water seepage is normally due to a build up of ground water. The water can come in through the foundations, walls, basements or other floors, doors, window wells, sidewalks, and driveways. The condition of your foundation is a housekeeping or maintenance issue, not an insurance issue. If the land around your house slopes in towards your foundation, instead of running away from the home, the chance of ground water building up is greater. You can help prevent water seepage by ensuring your window wells are clear of leaves and debris and by periodically checking your foundation for signs of wear, tear and cracks.
How To Prevent Water Damage To Your Home..
If you’ve ever had a basement that looks like this, you know the damage can be extensive, expensive, and the inconvenience, unforgettable. What you can do to prevent or limit a loss:
Inside:
• If you have an unfinished basement, we suggest you store items in plastic containers or on shelving at least 12’ off the floor. A finished basement requires more aggressive measures to protect your investment.
• If your area is susceptible to sewer back-up, make sure your home has a sewer back-flow or check valve installed.
• If you don’t have a sump pump, install one. If you do have a sump pump test it to make sure it is working.
• Because severe weather often causes a hydro interruption, it makes good sense to install a battery back-up device for a sump pump or keep a small gas generator to power critical electrical circuits. Both of these devices are available at a reasonable cost from any building supply or hardware store.
Outside:
• Keep eaves and downspouts clear of debris and make sure water flow is directed away from the foundation. Building codes now commonly require downspouts to be disconnected from weeping tiles or sewer drains.
• In winter, keep snow away from the foundation to reduce surface water during sudden spring thaws and winter rains. Areas around ground level windows and window wells should be cleared regularly.
• Finally, as simple as it sounds, make sure your lot is properly graded to direct runoff away from the foundation and entranceways. Do not change the grade or elevation around your home unless proper authorities are consulted because this could affect proper water run-off.
