Updated October 2026

Flooding can happen quickly, sometimes with very little warning. Heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, overflowing rivers and overwhelmed drainage systems can cause extensive damage to Ontario homes and businesses.

When flooding occurs, homeowners often have questions about protecting their property, insurance coverage and what to expect during the claims process.

At L.D. Dermody Insurance Brokers, we want to help homeowners understand what steps to take before, during and after a flood.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

1. What Should I Do if Flooding Is Expected in My Area?

If flooding is imminent, your first priority should be the safety of everyone in your household.

If it is safe to do so, consider taking the following precautions:

• Move valuable belongings, electronics and important documents to higher levels of your home.

• Move furniture and other items away from areas likely to flood.

• Install temporary flood barriers or sandbags where appropriate.

• Ensure basement floor drains and exterior drainage areas are clear of obstructions.

• Check that your sump pump is operating properly and that its backup power supply is working.

• Follow instructions issued by local emergency authorities.

If flooding threatens electrical equipment, contact your electrical utility or a qualified electrician about safely disconnecting power.

Never enter standing water to reach an electrical panel or operate electrical equipment.

If authorities issue an evacuation order, follow their instructions immediately.

2. Is Flood Damage Covered by My Home Insurance?

It depends on the source of the water and the coverage you purchased.

Most home insurance policies cover certain types of sudden and accidental water damage, such as water escaping from a burst pipe.

However, damage caused by water entering your home from outside is often treated differently.

In Ontario, insurers may offer optional coverage for:

Overland Water or Flooding: Certain losses caused by surface water from heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or overflowing rivers and lakes.

Sewer Backup: Certain losses caused when water or sewage backs up through drains, toilets or other plumbing fixtures.

Groundwater: Certain losses involving water entering through foundations or below-ground openings. Availability and exclusions vary significantly between insurers.

These coverages may be offered separately or combined into a water damage package.

Not every property qualifies for every coverage, and limits and deductibles can vary.

3. What if Water Enters My Basement?

Basement flooding is one of the most common sources of confusion when it comes to home insurance.

The cause of the water entering your basement is particularly important.

For example:

• Water backing up through a floor drain may fall under sewer backup coverage.

• Rainwater accumulating outside and entering through a basement window may fall under overland water coverage.

• Water entering through foundation cracks may be considered groundwater infiltration or seepage.

• A burst interior plumbing pipe may fall under the policy's standard water damage provisions.

Although the resulting damage may look similar, the applicable coverage can be very different.

Your insurance company will investigate the cause of the loss to determin