Insurers and industry bodies are moving to clarify coverage and push loss-prevention measures as another costly ice event looms, with the Environment and Climate Change Canada warning of prolonged freezing rain for parts of Quebec and neighboring regions.
Desjardins Insurance is urging residents to take simple steps to protect homes, vehicles, and personal safety, while the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is reminding Quebec policyholders to review their home and auto policies and document any damage carefully if losses occur.
The warnings follow recent events such as the March 2025 Ontario–Quebec ice storm, which Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) estimates caused more than $400 million in insured damage, and recall the legacy of the 1998 storm that still ranks among Canada’s largest natural catastrophe losses.
Homeowners: ice, water, and food spoilage
IBC noted that most standard home insurance policies cover loss of food stored in refrigerators or freezers and damage from frozen plumbing systems during extended power outages – both common consequences of freezing rain and heavy ice buildup on power lines.
However, damage caused by the weight of ice on structures is typically covered only if the policy includes “all risks” (comprehensive) building protection. Policyholders without that broader form may find that damage to roofs, awnings, or other structural elements is excluded if ice load is the primary cause.
Water infiltration is another key concern. Where homeowners have purchased “Water Damage – Above‑Ground Water” coverage, they are generally protected for water entering through roofs, walls, doors, or windows due to rain, melting snow, or melting ice. Without that endorsement, many above‑ground water losses fall outside basic coverage.
Given the variation in wordings and endorsements, IBC is urging residents to confirm their protection with their insurer rather than assuming that all weather‑related damage will be covered.
“Because damages and insurance contracts vary widely from one policyholder to another, we recommend that those affected contact their insurer as soon as possible to verify the extent of their coverage and open a claim file if necessary,” said Carlos Melo, manager of technical affairs at IBC.
Auto: when ice damage is insured
For motor vehicles, coverage depends on whether physical damage protection has been purchased under Section B of the auto policy. IBC said that damage from ice or falling branches is generally insured only under All Perils (coverage 1), Comprehensive (coverage 3), or Specified Perils (coverage 4).
Desjardins is advising drivers to park vehicles in garages where possible, or at least away from trees and other potential impact hazards, to reduce the risk of large damage claims. The insurer is also recommending residents avoid non‑essential driving while conditions are at their worst, when collision frequency and severity typically spike.
Before, during, and after the storm
Both Desjardins and IBC are framing their guidance around three phases of an ice storm: preparation, safety during the event, and post‑loss claims handling.
Ahead of the storm, Desjardins is encouraging residents to secure or store outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds, check gutters to ensure they can direct meltwater away from the building, and prepare an emergency kit with a flashlight, batteries, drinking water, and a safe alternative heat source in case of power outages.
During the event, Desjardins is reminding customers to limit non‑essential travel, stay away from downed power lines, and follow instructions from local authorities. Those steps reduce both personal injury risk and potential liability exposures.
Once conditions are safe, policyholders are being told to document damage thoroughly. IBC and Desjardins both recommend photographing affected property, including spoiled food in refrigerators and freezers, and compiling an inventory of damaged contents. Where it is safe to do so, urgent temporary repairs should be carried out to prevent further loss.
Most home policies also include additional living expense coverage if a residence is no longer habitable due to insured damage. Insureds are advised to keep receipts for hotel stays, meals, and other extra costs if they must relocate temporarily.
Desjardins is steering customers toward digital channels to report losses, noting that starting a claim online or through its mobile app can speed up first notice of loss and ease pressure on call centers during peak periods, an approach many Canadian carriers have increasingly adopted following recent catastrophe events.
Loss mitigation and duty to prevent further damage
IBC also reminded policyholders that they have an obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent damage from worsening once it has occurred. Recommended actions include sealing openings or cracks to keep water out; removing water, drying, and disinfecting flooded areas; and arranging for safe de‑icing of roofs, ideally using professional contractors rather than attempting hazardous work themselves.
Homeowners are also urged to watch for signs that a roof may be overloaded, such as new cracks or unusual creaking sounds, and to seek expert help if they suspect structural compromise. Failure to take reasonable mitigation steps can complicate claims in some circumstances, particularly where insurers believe additional loss could have been avoided.
The latest freezing rain warnings are another reminder of the volatility of winter perils in Eastern Canada. CatIQ’s 90‑day industry loss estimate for the March 2025 Ontario–Quebec ice storm stood at roughly $416 million, with some locations experiencing more than 30 hours of freezing rain and up to 25 millimeters of ice accretion.
In response, carriers such as Desjardins and industry groups like IBC are putting more emphasis on proactive risk communication, clearer coverage education, and digital claims tools.
As climate change influences the frequency and intensity of winter precipitation events, freezing rain is likely to remain a key focus for Canadian P&C insurers looking to manage both loss costs and customer outcomes when the next major ice storm hits.
