Family Insurance has partnered with Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) to provide eligible customers in BC with loss prevention and wildfire mitigation services. The service will be available at no additional cost to Family personal property customers in BC in the event that their eligible personal homes, rented and seasonal dwellings become threatened by wildfire.
Partnership with Wildfire Defense Systems
What services will WDS provide?
Through our partnership, WDS will provide loss prevention services, where possible and safe to do so, on Family Insurance customers’ eligible property that is threatened by wildfire. Services include:
- Removing flammable materials such as propane tanks, firewood, furniture, and more from the property
- Closing doors, windows, and garages, and applying vent tape
- Spraying a biodegradable, non-toxic fire retardant on combustible material and vegetation surrounding the property
- Spraying a biodegradable, non-toxic, fire-blocking gel on the property itself
Who's eligible for these services?
The mitigation services provided through our partnership with WDS are available to Family personal property customers with eligible properties in BC at no additional cost. Eligible properties include homeowners, seasonal, and rented dwellings located in BC under the 57th parallel line, (excluding all islands in BC other than Vancouver Island). Condominiums, tenants, strata-duplexes and mobile homes are also excluded.
Will WDS provide services to all customers’ property under threat of wildfire?
During a wildfire, WDS supplements local emergency response services and provides mitigation services to as many customers’ eligible properties as it can safely, considering the fire’s proximity, weather conditions, and other factors. There is no guarantee that WDS will be able to safely access every property threatened by wildfire.
Can a customer request these services for a specific property?
There is no need to request mitigation services during a wildfire. WDS maps and monitors the fire in relation to our customers’ properties and will access as many of the properties under imminent threat as it can safely to mitigate the risk of fire damage.
Can customers opt out?
Yes, customers can opt out at any time by contacting their Insurance Broker and providing their policy information. Insurance Broker contact information can be found on the letter sent by Family Insurance advising of this service or on their Property Insurance Declaration page.
If a customer opts out and then their property is damaged by wildfire, will their property still be covered?
Coverages provided under the policy will not be affected should a customer opt out.
Will customers who opt out see premium increases?
No, opting out will not impact premiums.
Will WDS enter customers’ homes?
WDS does not enter customers’ homes. The activity takes place on customers’ property when it is under imminent threat of fire, and the services are provided at no additional cost to the customer.
Does WDS clean property afterward?
Once there is no longer a threat from wildfire, WDS will return to properties it serviced to return any items it removed and do some clean up, such as removing fire-blocking gel it applied to structures. However, WDS’s priority is mitigating the risk of wildfire and there is no guarantee that it will be able to clean all properties.
What if WDS damages a customer’s property?
We will cover the costs of repairing any damage unintentionally caused by this service. This will not impact your policy or your premium.