With Fort McMurray residents on their way back to homes that haven't had power for an entire month now, it's inevitable that they will be returning to a fridge full of rotten food. It doesn't take a month to ruin your food AND your fridge though. Here's what you should do if you have been without power to your fridge or freezer for any extended period of time.

As residents return to their homes in the voluntary phased re-entry of Fort McMurray, many are finding out for the first time, what exactly they have to come home to. Many will have damage to assess and some complete losses that they will need to report to their insurance company. Many insurance companies have already set up mobile claims centres in town and making concessions to make sure that they can do anything they can to make things easier for the victims of the fire.

The Government of Alberta and Google have both released satellite images of the devastation that the wild fires in Northern Alberta have caused. Alberta's Map Services App comes with a warning that "structures that appear to be standing should not be considered undamaged". While these maps may not provide all the answers that victims are seeking, for many this is a first glimpse into what waits for them back home.

Wawanesa, announced today that they will be extending the maximum time of Prohibited Access coverage for their Fort McMurray and area policyholders. This coverage, which normally only lasts for two weeks, will be extended to 30 days to help residents who will most certainly be out of their homes for longer than the original time frame. Please find the full release below. 

Our thoughts are with the community of Fort McMurray as they continue to deal with aftermath of the devastating wildfires. We have reached out to our clients, if you have not heard from us please call or email us, we are here to support you. For our insurance customers who have damages to report or who have been evacuated from their homes and need support with out of pocket, shelter or meal expenses, please contact your insurer using the list below or contact us at 1-855-475-0959 or email us at main@armourinsurance.ca.

For more information about covering emergency expenses while being evacuated, please see our previous article with info on Mass Evacuation Coverage.

As forest fires ravage Fort McMurray and residents remain under evacuation notice, insurance companies are mobilizing teams, extending hours and preparing to assist the thousands of residents affected by this disaster. For home owners in this area it's important to know how your property insurance can help you through this catastrophe.

Your home insurance policy has two parts. Property and Liability. Liability coverage is generally meant to protect you incase someone is injured on your property and launches a lawsuit against you. Your property coverage is meant to provide replacement costs in the event that your home or your belongings inside the home are damaged or stolen. But, did you know that there are limits to amount that your belongings are covered for?

Whether you own or rent your home, it is always a good idea to protect your belongings with a property insurance policy. While there are some big differences in a home owner's insurance policy and a renters or tenant insurance policy, they are both put in place with the same goal: to protect your property in the event of an accident or theft.

The most significant insurance mistake you can ever make is not having any insurance at all. For example, if you drive without auto insurance you are breaking the law. If you get homeowners insurance when you purchase your house and then cancel it, you would be in quite the predicament if a fire destroys your kitchen.

Insurance is a way for consumers to protect their possessions and themselves from the risk of loss by paying a relatively low annual payment to an insurance company. The idea is simple, but there are so many things to consider when purchasing an insurance policy. Here are six ways to save on your insurance this year.