In the wake of extreme flooding that damaged hundreds of homes near the Coldwater River in Merritt and prompted the evacuation of thousands, some of whom have yet to return home, residents immediately began contacting their insurance providers for assistance. 

Some, like Steve Haller, were in for a frustrating discovery regarding their policy.

Haller cares for his elderly mother, who suffers from epilepsy and the long-term effects of being struck by a vehicle four years ago. His mother’s home on Coldwater Ave. was heavily damaged during the flooding, with the basement entirely filling with water. 

“When this flood happened, after we were evacuated from my house… I phoned the insurance place and I spoke with a lady, and she said, yes you guys have flood coverage, so I thought everything’s good to go,” said Haller. 

However, the insurance agent then informed him that, in actual fact, his policy covered flooding caused by broken water lines, sewer back up, hot water tank malfunction, etc. and did not relate to overland flooding.   

Haller argues that what they call flooding would be more accurately described as water damage.

“They use the term flood to sell the policy, and then when a flood happens, they say no this is our dictionary definition of what a flood is,” said Haller. 

“It’s water damage, it’s not a river overflowing.” 

“I’m very unhappy with my insurance company,” said Haller’s mother, Laurie.

“They said that we had flood insurance,” she added, noting that once her policy expires in April she has no plans to renew with her current company. 

Despite their protests, the Hallers insurance claim was denied, leaving them with one of two options: pay out of pocket or apply for Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA). 

“Her basement suite had six feet of water,” said Haller.

“So, now we have to go through the government and it’s just a waiting game. I don’t want to go spend a ton of money, like oh let’s spend $5,000 and put a new furnace in, and then six or three months later the field office finally decides to get a hold of us and go in and say, no this place is condemned.” 

Haller said that if they are forced to take out a loan in the meantime to repair the house it would be nearly impossible for his mother to qualify, let alone make the minimum payment and cover the interest on a fixed income. 

According to the Province of BC website, “Once the disaster is declared eligible for DFA, financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80% of the amount of eligible damage, less the first $1,000.”

“Everything is going to have to be ripped right back to the concrete,” said Haller, noting that the tub, toilet, sink, floors, counters, cupboards, hot water tank, furnace and more will need to be replaced. 

Haller has also raised questions about the protocol involved in renewing the insurance for the past two years, during which, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his mother have not been able to go to the insurance office as they typically would to have their policy explained to them. 

“We weren’t able to actually physically go into the office to renew our policy, they did it automatically,” said Haller. 

“And then they called us and said, your house insurance has been automatically renewed can you come down, they hand us a clipboard through the door and say sign there, and then they send us the policy in the mail… So, prove to me that we were told about this overland flooding.” 

In the meantime, Haller is stuck at an impasse. 

“My mom’s house, I can’t do anything with it,” said Haller. 

“We got the mud out, we got the contents out, but we can’t even close the door in the basement because everything’s frozen and twisted. This isn’t right.”

Laurie is understandably distraught to see her home in such a state of ruin. Not only is the residence her only real asset, it was formerly her father’s home and holds a strong sentimental attachment. 

“That’s the only thing I’ve got,” said Laurie.