On May 1, 2016, the residents of the municipality of Wood Buffalo in Northern Alberta were enjoying an early summer, with record breaking temperatures of 30° + and no sign of rain in the forecast. Little did they know their lives would be turned upside down in days to come. A wildfire was beginning southwest of the city of Fort McMurray, and because of the hot, arid weather, there was no stopping its destructive path. On May 3rd a mandatory evacuation order was given for the town and over 100,000 residents were told to leave their homes, and leave quickly. People were displaced to evacuation centres and told to ‘wait and see’ what would happen next.
Over the coming days the fire would grow to 101,000 hectares, destroying almost everything it touched. And there was no rain in sight.
Pembridge was there to respond and support our customers. Here's how...
Allstate Canada Group Offers Assistance to Northern Alberta Customers and Donates $25,000 to Canadian Red Cross
In response to the devastating wildfires spreading across Fort McMurray and surrounding areas this week, the Allstate Canada Group of Companies (Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and Pembridge Insurance Company)announced today that it is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with emergency relief efforts.
Protect Your Home from Wildfires
Be Prepared
In the Event of a Wildfire
Be ready to evacuate at any time. When you need to leave, quickly gather all family members and pets and head to the meeting place listed in your emergency preparedness plan. Follow the directions of local authorities and all evacuation orders.
Submitting a Claim | Ft. McMurray and Area Wildfire
Our thoughts are with those affected by the wildfires in Fort McMurray and surrounding areas. We know this is a difficult time for the residents of Fort McMurray who have been affected by the ongoing wild fires. Please know that we are working hard to assist our customers who have been evacuated from their homes. The safety of you and your family is the most important thing right now. Please follow all instructions from Alberta Emergency Services and do not return to your home until they instruct it is safe to do so.
We recommend you contact your broker as soon as you experience a loss, or are evacuated to understand your coverage. Your insurance broker has the experience and expertise to provide you with the answers you need and will guide you throught the claims process.
We want to reassure you that our Claims Services network is on alert and ready to provide emergency services to those customers impacted by this tragedy. Depending on the severity of the fire and areas affected, we could encounter high call volumes and call wait time could increase.
To make a claim:
If you have been affected by the wildfires and need to make a property or auto claim, please take the following steps:
Promise Line: 1-800-661-1577
Fax: 1-800-920-3140
Website: Submit an Auto Claim / Submit a Property Claim
Once you can return to your home, assess and document the damage - taking photos and/or video is helpful and may speed up the claims process.
After you have reported a loss, you will be assigned a claims adjuster who will guide you through the rest of the process.
If you are a Pembridge customer and you need some cash immediately to cover living expenses, please call us 1-800-661-1577.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to the questions you may have at this time. If you have additional questions please contact your broker or our Claims department, we are here to help.
Our home and tenant policies cover fire damage to the home and contents. In addition if residents need to leave their home because of mandatory evacuation orders, your Pembridge policy will also offer some coverage for reasonable living expenses incurred for a specified period of time subject to your policy deductible. If you intend to present a claim for Mass Evacuation, be sure to keep copies of all receipts.
Absolutely. The most important action was to get your family and yourself out of your home and to safety. We can access the information we need to help you with your claim.
Additional Living Expense Coverage is available to those whose homes have been lost or damaged due to the fire or another insured loss.
Allstate Canada Group Offers Assistance to Northern Alberta Customers and Donates $25,000 to Canadian Red Cross
In response to the devastating wildfires spreading across Fort McMurray and surrounding areas this week, the Allstate Canada Group of Companies (Allstate Insurance Company of Canada and Pembridge Insurance Company) announced today that it is donating $25,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with emergency relief efforts.
Pembridge Response to Alberta Wildfires | May 11, 2016
The situation in Fort McMurray continues to evolve and our thoughts are with those who have been evacuated from the wildfires and who continue to bravely face down so much uncertainty at this time. Pembridge is responding to ensure customer’s expectations are met.
Alberta Wildfire Re-Entry Information | June 1, 2016
We know this is a difficult time for the residents of Fort McMurray who have been affected by the wildfires. Please know that we are working hard to assist our customers who have been evacuated as they plan to return to their homes over the coming weeks. The safety of you and your family is the most important thing right now. Please follow all instructions from Alberta Emergency Services and do not return to your home until they instruct it is safe to do so.
We have prepared a document to assist you through the process.
Here is what you need to know as you prepare to return home.
The Government of Alberta and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo have created a detailed re-entry information booklet that we suggest you take the time to read http://www.rmwb.ca/News-Room/RMWB-Wildfire-Information/Wildfire-Re-Entry-Plan.htm
Our Claims teams are responding to calls and emails and our brokers are available to provide any assistance needed. You can also direct questions or insurance claim reports to Pembridge Insurance Company’s claims line, 24/7, at 1-800-661-1577.