What you need to know if you’ve been affected by the Mississauga explosion

A Mississauga neighbourhood is still cordoned off as police investigate an explosion that left one woman dead and several others injured on Tuesday afternoon. The blast  flattened one house and damaged dozens more. It also forced a mass evacuation, displacing up to 100 residents.

Pete Karageorgos, Director of Consumer and Industry Relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, was on site to help residents deal with the next steps. Here are some of his tips for the residents whose homes have been affected.

CHECKLIST

– Contact your insurance company and start a claims process immediately, share all details

– Raise any questions you have and ask about what you’re covered for, including living expenses

– Keep receipts of purchases made during your time out of the home

– Once allowed back home, examine and report all damages

– Take photos and/or videos- DON’T MOVE ANYTHING before documenting the scene

– Create an inventory, include descriptions and costs of the items

– Keep receipts for cleanup and repair expenses

Contact your insurance company to start a claims process immediately:

Homeowners should report the incident and ask questions about their coverage. Also ask if you’re eligible for living expense coverage, usually intended for people who may need immediate or temporary accommodations. Maintain and keep all receipts of purchases made during the period where you aren’t allowed back home. If you were home at the time of the incident, share that experience with your insurance provider, that will help paint a picture of the amount of damage.

Going back home:

As soon as you’re allowed back into the home, take pictures and start assessing any and all damages seen on the outside and inside of the home.  Anytime an incident like this occurs, homeowners may be in shock and so they might not realize some of the damages right away. But there is a window of time where new damages can be added to your claim. Keep a record of everything.

City and building inspectors are currently assessing the safety of homes. Any new updates should be reported to them at 311 and insurance adjusters.