A 90-year-old Ottawa man says his insurance company has reversed its initial denial and will now cover the cost of his flooded basement, providing a rare positive outcome amid widespread uncertainty for residents hit by devastating flooding on Canada Day.
Man's perseverance leads to coverage
The man, who lives in Ottawa's west end, told CTV News that after the July 1 storm dumped more than 100 millimetres of rain in a few hours, his basement was flooded with nearly a metre of water. He initially filed a claim but was told by his insurer that the damage was not covered due to a clause excluding overland flooding. After weeks of back-and-forth and escalating the issue to the company's ombudsman, he received a letter stating that the claim would be honored as a one-time exception.
“I was shocked,” he said. “I thought I was going to have to pay for everything myself. This is a huge relief at my age.”
Many Ottawa residents still in limbo
Thousands of Ottawa homeowners are still waiting for insurance decisions after the July 1 storm caused over $200 million in insured damage across the city, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Many policies exclude overland flooding unless a specific rider is purchased. City officials have urged residents to document damage and contact their insurers promptly.
“We understand the frustration,” said a spokesperson for the Insurance Bureau of Canada. “Consumers should read their policies carefully and ask about overland flood coverage before a storm hits.”
City and province respond
The City of Ottawa has launched a flood recovery task force and is offering financial assistance of up to $5,000 per household for those without adequate insurance. The provincial government has also pledged $10 million for infrastructure upgrades to mitigate future flooding.
“We cannot prevent every storm, but we can build more resilient neighbourhoods,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.
