1 minute read
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Insurance Policies And Firefighting
Do you know what’s in your home insurance policy when it comes to firefighting?
Since the beginning of 2023, Municipal District of Bonnyville Council has approved updates to the Fire Suppression and Cost Recovery Policy, which included clearly identifying processes for billing including not billing M.D. residents more for firefighting costs than what their insurance policy will cover.
According to the policy, the M.D. may charge firefighting fees — on a cost recovery basis — to property owners, and only to the maximum that their policy covers. Property owners will have to show proof of insurance in order to reduce the original invoice. M.D. property owners who fail to insure their property against fire, will receive an invoice to recover the full cost. Residents may appeal to Council for exemption in this case.
So how do you know if your insurance policy covers firefighting costs?
M.D. ratepayers should talk to their insurance brokers about their fire coverage — property damage/loss may be insured but firefighting costs might not be included. Every policy is different. Review your policy and make sure you know what your coverage is whether it be for fire, flood, or anything else that could affect your life.
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN RECEIVE A VOICEMAIL WITH EMERGENCY ALERTS FROM THE M.D.?
If you sign up for an account at bit.ly/ MDVoyentAlert you can choose how you receive information — by downloading an app, via email, through a text message, and even an automatic call to your phone number. You can even choose to get information from all four sources.
You can also find a map which shows where active alerts are currently in place, find out more information on the Voyent system, and submit information to be sent out via Voyent (for example if you have a lost pet) at bit.ly/MDVoyentAlert.
Have questions? Contact our Public Safety Department at 780-812-3332 or via email at voyent@md.bonnyville.ab.ca.
