Experts say record rainfall in British Columbia is highlighting the increasing risks of flood damage and the need for people to consider both insurance and preventive measures.

B次元官网网址淓ffectively what weB次元官网网址檙e seeing in B.C. is another manifestation of climate change in action,B次元官网网址� said Blair Feltmate, head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo.

B次元官网网址淕oing forward, precipitation events are going to be more extreme in nature and by association more costly.B次元官网网址�

He said that flood damage is already by far the most expensive type of extreme weather risk, particularly basement flooding which costs on average $43,000 to repair.

While those living close to water are generally at higher risk, he said itB次元官网网址檚 something everyone should be aware of because increasingly intense rainfall can create problems far from where itB次元官网网址檚 expected.

B次元官网网址淪omeone should not think that just because theyB次元官网网址檙e not close to standing or running water or on a floodplain that theyB次元官网网址檙e free of risk. TheyB次元官网网址檙e not.B次元官网网址�

To better understand the risks to a home, Feltmate suggests checking in with a local conservation authority to access the most updated flood risk maps.

Flood insurance, which only generally became available in Canada after the destructive Calgary flood of 2013, is becoming increasingly popular, but is also helping push up insurance premiums. Feltmate said home insurance premiums have climbed about 20 to 25 per cent on average in the past six years, with about half of that increase coming from flood coverage costs.

Linda Dolan, owner of Alport Insurance Agencies Inc. in Port Alberni, B.C., says that many people are adding flood insurance to their coverage when they can, but that companies are being selective on who theyB次元官网网址檙e offering coverage to.

She said premiums can be high, and coverage limited for those in higher risk areas, while some homeowners canB次元官网网址檛 get flood insurance at all.

B次元官网网址淭he unfortunate thing with flood insurance, is if youB次元官网网址檙e in a high risk zone, itB次元官网网址檚 either not available to you or the price is so high that itB次元官网网址檚 not affordable.B次元官网网址�

She said that coverage for landslides and ocean swells, which could also see increases from extreme weather, are still generally not covered by any policies.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada, which has set up mobile pavilions in heavily hit communities in B.C. to respond to questions, says almost half of the province has taken on flood insurance, while an estimated five per cent of B.C. homeowners arenB次元官网网址檛 eligible for coverage.

B次元官网网址擳he Canadian Press