Living in Saskatchewan exposes us to a wide range of weather conditions, including hail, wind, extreme heat, rain, snow, and ice. When these elements combine, it often leads to unavoidable disasters.
A few years ago, Northern Saskatchewan faced severe forest fire situations due to a dry spring and constant wind. This year, British Columbia is also struggling with a wave of uncontrollable forest fires. We express our gratitude to the brave firefighters and volunteers who risk their lives to combat these fires.
During the fall, particularly around harvest time, the ground, grass, and crops in Saskatchewan tend to become dry. With the dry vegetation and warm weather, the conditions are ripe for potential grass fires. Whether you’re working in the fields, having a campfire, or engaging in any outdoor activities, it is essential to keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Having this precautionary measure readily available allows you to extinguish any initial sparks, which can significantly reduce the risk of a fire.
In the event of a fire, it is crucial to ensure you have appropriate coverage on your insurance policy to protect against potential losses. If you reside in an urban area, it is advisable to check with your village, town, or city to determine if your taxes cover any fire department charges that may arise from attending a fire for which you are responsible. For those residing in rural areas, the local fire department will respond, but you will likely be responsible for the costs associated with their deployment and firefighting efforts. In cases where you live near multiple Rural Municipalities (RMs), towns, or cities, multiple fire departments may be involved, resulting in substantial service fees. For instance, a single fire department’s call-out fee can amount to $1200 or more, with additional costs of $800-$1000 per hour for firefighting operations.
To protect against these potential expenses, you can consider purchasing “Volunteer Fire Fighting” coverage on your home or farm policy. Some insurance companies offer coverage limits of $2000, $5000, or $10,000 for this purpose. We strongly recommend consulting with us to ensure you have this coverage and that it is adequate for your specific area. It is also advisable to contact your local RM office to understand the firefighting costs in your vicinity and the coverage amounts commonly carried by residents. Depending on your location, it may be prudent to have a minimum coverage of $15,000-$20,000 to guarantee sufficient protection.
Should you have any inquiries regarding this coverage or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our insurance professionals.