Wildfire Insurance Basics in Canada
General information on contacting your insurer after a wildfire, documenting damage and expenses, understanding additional living expenses, and avoiding assumptions about coverage.
Contact your insurer or broker as early as practical
Open a claim and ask what the insurer needs before major cleanup or disposal. Record your claim number and the names of people you speak with. Coverage, deductibles, limits, exclusions, and documentation requirements come from your actual policy and insurer.
Document damage and keep useful records
When it is safe, photograph or video damaged property, make an inventory, preserve receipts, and gather available proofs of purchase. Keep damaged items for inspection unless they create a health hazard or your insurer instructs otherwise.
Track temporary and evacuation-related expenses
Some policies provide additional living expense coverage when a home is uninhabitable or an evacuation order applies, but eligibility and limits vary. Keep receipts for accommodation, food above normal costs, transportation, and other relevant expenses, then confirm what your policy covers.
Do not rely on a generic webpage for a coverage decision
Standard Canadian home insurance commonly covers fire damage, but every claim is fact-specific. A FireRadar guide cannot determine whether a particular loss, evacuation expense, vehicle, business interruption, landscaping item, or rebuilding cost is insured.
Common questions
Does home insurance cover wildfire damage in Canada?
Fire damage is generally covered by standard home insurance policies, but exact coverage, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and settlement terms depend on the policy.
Are evacuation hotel costs always covered?
Not always. Many policies include forms of additional living expense coverage, but the trigger, duration, and limits vary. Confirm with your insurer.
Should I throw damaged belongings away immediately?
Document them first when safe and ask your insurer for instructions. Do not keep items that create a health or safety hazard merely for claim documentation.
Official and trusted sources
FireRadar summarizes these resources in plain language. Follow the source itself for the newest guidance, local instructions, eligibility rules, or operational decisions.
General insurance information and claim-preparation guidance for people affected by wildfire.
Federal preparedness, evacuation, home preparation, and safe-return guidance.
Related FireRadar resources
A safety-first checklist for returning after a wildfire evacuation, including official re-entry clearance, utilities, structural safety, food, water, smoke residue, and documentation.
A practical starting point for post-wildfire rebuilding: safety, insurance, permits, contractors, resilient design, documentation, and avoiding rushed decisions.
Learn how to approach smoke, soot, and ash cleanup after a wildfire while reducing particle exposure and knowing when professional remediation may be appropriate.
Open province, territory, wildfire, hotspot, smoke, and AQHI map views from the FireRadar directory.