Insurance tips
Canada’s vast geography and diverse climate mean no province or territory is completely safe from nature’s extremes. In fact, the Canadian Disaster Database (CDD) has recorded 853 significant events since 1900 that meet criteria such as 10 or more deaths, 100+ people affected, appeals for national or international assistance, historical significance, or major damage or disruption to daily life.
So, what types of natural disasters are most commonly recorded in the CDD?
- Floods: 336
- Severe thunderstorms: 141
- Wildfires: 113
- Winter storms: 89
- Tornadoes: 51
- Landslides: 40
- Hurricanes: 39
- Avalanches: 17
- Earthquakes: 12
- Storm surges: 10
- Tsunamis: 5
In this blog, you’ll learn more about the most common natural disasters in Canada, where they’re most likely to occur, and how insurance can help protect your home and belongings when disaster strikes.
Key takeaways
Since 1900, the Canadian Disaster Database has recorded over 850 major disasters. Floods are by far the most common, followed by severe thunderstorms, wildfires, and winter storms, while events like earthquakes, storm surges, and tsunamis are much rarer.
Floods
A flood happens when water overflows onto dry land, whether from heavy rain, overflowing rivers, melting snow, or coastal storm surges. Given these causes, floods can—and do—happen all across Canada. The Historical Flood Events map created by Natural Resources Canada, however, shows that a few regions are particularly prone to flooding, with the greatest number of events recorded in:
- Quebec along the St. Lawrence River,
- The Maritimes, especially New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island
- Coastal British Columbia
- Southern Manitoba (Red River Valley)
Standard home insurance policies in Canada generally do not cover flooding, which is why it’s often recommended that you add overland water coverage. Given that water damage of this nature has the potential to ruin floors, walls, electrical systems, and anything you own that’s not up high, additional coverage that specifically protects against flood-related damage can be a crucial safeguard for your home and belongings.
Major floods in Canada
2020: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in Alberta–13,000 people evacuated, 1,200 structures damaged with $549M in insured losses 2020: Fort Vermilion, Alberta–450 residents evacuated, causing damage to homes, businesses and local infrastructure 2019: Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick had extensive flooding caused by heavy rainfall and melting snow. One fatality was reported, and over 2,000 Canadian Forces personnel were deployed
Severe thunderstorms
Thunderstorms regularly occur across much of Canada, especially during the warmer months. While a regular thunderstorm might bring a brief downpour or some gusty winds, severe thunderstorms often come with heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, and sometimes hail. They can dent vehicles, flood basements, and break the windows of high-rise condos. Severe thunderstorms can even precede or occur alongside a tornado.
Should wind or hail damage your home or belongings, your insurance policy may offer some protection, depending on your specific coverage and insurer. In many cases, additional endorsements are required to protect against certain types of water damage, such as flooding from the ground.
Major thunderstorms in Canada
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Wildfires
Wildfires are fast-moving blazes that burn through forests, grasslands, and sometimes entire towns in dry conditions. They can destroy homes and force long evacuations, leaving people without a home for weeks or months. Unfortunately, wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense in Canada, especially in:
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Parts of Northern Ontario and Quebec during the dry summer months
Unlike other natural disasters, all standard home insurance policies cover damage caused by fire. While this typically includes repairs to your home, replacing your belongings, and covering additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable, bear in mind that conditions and coverage limits may vary between insurers and individual policies.
Major wildfires in Canada
- 2020: British Columbia–special air quality statements were issued for BC and southwestern Alberta. Vancouver experienced some of the worst air quality conditions in the world.
- 2019: Pikangikum First Nation–state of emergency with 2,500 residents evacuated
- 2019: High Level, Alberta–out-of-control fires caused over 3,000 residents to evacuate, with many homes destroyed
Winter storms
Winter storms bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and high winds—something the vast majority of Canadians, except perhaps those living in Canada’s mildest coastal areas, are all too familiar with. While a regular snowstorm is mostly an inconvenience, a severe winter storm can damage roofs, knock out power, cause ice dams, and block roads for days.
Fortunately, standard home insurance policies typically cover sudden damage from winter storms, like a roof collapsing from heavy snow. That said, overland water coverage may be required if water damage caused by melting snow or ice dams occurs.
Major winter storms in Canada
- 2020: Avalon Peninsula and Bell Island, Newfoundland
- 2020: Southern Ontario and southern Quebec
- 2019: Southern Manitoba
Tornadoes
Tornadoes are powerful, rotating columns of air that stretch from thunderclouds down to the ground, with wind speeds that can exceed 200 km/h. They can rip apart roofs, smash windows, uproot trees, and send debris flying, and they’re usually accompanied by hail, lightning, and torrential rain.
Like floods, tornadoes can occur anywhere in Canada, with dozens reported each year. However, the Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University notes that they are most likely in regions that are “extensions of tornado-active areas in the United States,” including:
- Southern Alberta
- Southern Saskatchewan
- Southern Manitoba
- Ontario
- Southern Quebec
- New Brunswick
Standard home, tenant, and condo insurance policies can cover damage caused by high winds or tornadoes, including the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing lost or damaged belongings. That said, never assume you’re fully covered without reviewing your policy. Always look at your policy’s unique exclusions, conditions, and coverage limits yourself.
Major tornadoes in Canada
- 2018: National Capital Region–tornado outbreak causing $334M in damage
- 2016: Long Plain First Nation, MB–an EF1 tornado damaged over 200 homes and 600+ displacements
- 2015: Southern Ontario–three tornadoes with winds over 200km/h, leaving 150,000 without power
Landslides
A landslide happens when rock, earth, or debris slides down a slope, often after heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or rapid snowmelt. It can destroy homes in seconds and bury roads, cutting off entire communities. According to the Government of Canada, landslides are most likely to happen in:
- British Columbia and Alberta, especially in mountainous regions
- St. Lawrence Lowlands of Ontario and Quebec
- Newfoundland and Labrador
Landslide damage isn’t typically included in standard home insurance. Some specialized policies or endorsements might offer coverage, but availability and terms can vary depending on the insurance provider and your location.
Major landslides in Canada
- 2016: Horton, ON–a 10-hectare landslide resulting in flooding
- 2007: Daniels Harbour, NL
- 2005: North Vancouver, BC–one death and 100 homes evacuated
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are powerful tropical storms with extreme winds and heavy rain. They can rip off tree roots, flood basements, and knock down power lines, causing widespread outages that last for days or even weeks. Hurricanes can, and have, occurred along both of Canada’s major coasts, though storms stronger than Category 3 are unlikely due to the cooler northern waters of the Atlantic and Pacific.
That said, Atlantic Canada experiences, on average, one hurricane every three years. While many policies provide some level of protection against wind damage, coverage for water-related losses—including flooding or storm surge—varies by insurer and may require additional endorsements.
Major hurricanes in Canada
- 2019: Atlantic Canada–estimated $105M losses
- 2014: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island–over 313,000 homes and businesses without power
- 2011: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador–2 fatalities
Avalanches
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a mountainside, often triggered by weather changes or natural shifts in the snowpack. They can wipe out entire structures, bury roads, and cut off access to mountain communities. Given that avalanches occur in mountainous areas, the risk is concentrated mainly to British Columbia and Alberta.
Insurance coverage for avalanche damage is less straightforward than for some other natural disasters. While some policies may cover damage caused by an avalanche, others may not unless the avalanche was triggered by an earthquake and you have earthquake coverage.
It’s always best to consult your insurance provider to understand exactly what your policy includes and whether additional coverage is needed, especially if you live in an area where avalanches are a concern.
Major avalanches in Canada
- 2008: Harvey Pass, British Columbia–8 fatalities
- 2003: Western Canada–30 fatalities
- 1999: Glacier National Park, BC–1 fatality
Earthquakes
An earthquake is when the ground suddenly shakes because of movement deep beneath the Earth’s surface, usually along fault lines where tectonic plates meet. A strong earthquake can damage homes, crack the foundations, or break water and gas lines. In coastal areas, it can even trigger landslides or tsunamis.
Most standard home insurance policies in Canada don’t automatically cover earthquake damage. Instead, it’s usually offered as an optional add-on. Considering the significant damage earthquakes can cause to buildings and personal belongings, this coverage is often recommended for those living in high-risk areas, including:
- British Columbia, especially Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland
- Parts of Southern Quebec and Southeastern Ontario, especially along the St. Lawrence and Ottawa River valleys
Major earthquakes in Canada
- 2010: Magnitude 5.0 earthquake in Val-des-Bois and Gracefield, QC, caused two landslides and damage to roads
- 1989: Magnitude 6.3 earthquake in Ungava Peninsula, QC, produced surface faulting
- 1988: Magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Saguenay Region, QC, costing over $37M
Storm surges
A storm surge is an abnormal rise in the sea level, usually caused by strong winds from hurricanes or other large storms. It can push seawater far inland, flooding coastal homes and damaging foundations.
While often associated with the ocean, storm surges can also affect large lakes. That means it’s not just the Atlantic and Pacific coasts at risk, but the St. Lawrence Estuary, the Beaufort Sea, and the Great Lakes that are at risk of coastal flooding.
Like tsunamis, storm surges are not typically covered by standard home insurance. To be protected, homeowners, tenants, or condo owners in coastal areas usually need additional coverage, such as overland water coverage, in place before the damage occurs.
Major storm surges in Canada
Tsunamis
Tsunamis are massive ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic activity, or landslides. They can flood entire coastal areas, damage structures, and wipe out infrastructure. While the west coast of British Columbia is most at risk, bear in mind that tsunamis in Canada are rare, with only five major events recorded in the Canadian Disaster Database since 1900.
That said, if a tsunami were to occur and damage your home or belongings, a standard home insurance policy would likely not provide sufficient coverage. You would need to have added overland water coverage (or an equivalent) to your home, tenant, or condo insurance policy before the damage occurred in order to be eligible to file a claim.
