Severe weather increasing insurance deductibles

Climate change is having a direct impact on home insurance deductibles, says the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

It's an increase that is being seen across Canada.

"Each insurer is clearly faced with what is happening all around us," said Amanda Dean, vice president Atlantic of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

"Homeowners, governments and insurers alike are impacted by the costs of severe weather, the changing climate, and costs of increased sewer backups, for example."

Across the country homeowner claims have doubled since the late 1990s, even accounting for inflation.

The increases are particularly large on Prince Edward Island, where they have tripled over the same time period.

Intact Insurance, which provides homeowner coverage across the country, told CBC News it's increasing the minimum deductible on home insurance policies from $500 to $1,000. It will cost twice that for a sewer backup claim. The increase applies in every province except British Columbia and Quebec.