Are you covered should disaster strike?

A cluster of wicked weather recently in Saskatchewan has many homeowners asking whether they’re covered should Mother Nature strike too close to home.

The province has been on the receiving end of tornadoes, flash flood and near-record setting amounts of rain in June and July.

SGI is reporting more than 3,000 property claims totaling $47 million in Saskatchewan since April.

Doug Archer, owner of Knight Archer Insurance, says a typical comprehensive home policy usually covers a number of disasters – including tornadoes, like the one that hit the Raymore-area Friday.

More than 15 homes were severely damaged when the storm system hit around the supper hour Friday. Some houses were completely destroyed.

SGI is reporting more than 3,000 property claims totaling $47 million in Saskatchewan since April.

However, some experts warn homeowners should be aware not everything disaster-related is covered – including flood damage.

“People should be taking precautions against have their property flooded, and if they fail to take precautions, then they’re on their own,” Archer said.

It is extremely rare — almost unheard of — for any insurance company to cover seepage, or when water enters the home from outside. Sewer backup is usually an option for homeowners to take advantage of in comprehensive home policies.

The Saskatchewan government has already committed to offering homeowners up to $160,000 per household through the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program.

To qualify, a community must declare a state of emergency. Seventy-two RMs have already done so this year.