'We can't move ahead,' Family stuck in limbo after hurricane destroys home
Hurricane Fiona is one of the most catastrophic events to hit Atlantic Canada; weeks later, many have found their insurance won't cover the damage.
"We're hearing more often of insurance companies turning them down," said Brian Button, mayor of Port aux Basques. "We are hearing more denials than we are of the positive coverage."
As homes in the small Newfoundland coastal town were ripped from foundations and pulled out to sea, people like the Savery family, who moved to the town from the Barrie area three years ago, are still searching for answers.
A photo of their iconic blue home teetering on the edge of a cliff was shared worldwide, capturing the moment before it was torn apart by wind and waves.
An Ontario family's iconic blue house is swept away in Hurricane Fiona's path in Port aux Basques, N.L. (Courtesy: R. Roy Wreckhouse Press)
Peggy Savery said she initially understood that her claim was denied, but on Wednesday was told it's still up in the air.
After receiving a letter on October 8, that stated in part, "We reserve the right based on your insurance policy terms and conditions to close your file without compensation regardless of whether the investigation has to be completed or not."
"They know they are the reason why we can't move ahead," said Savery. "To find out that we're being held up even longer because of our insurance company is very frustrating."
She said until she knows one way or the other, her family is stuck in limbo and applying for any federal or provincial disaster relief.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), storm surges are not typically covered by insurance, even with an add-on policy to cover floods.
"The risk modelling for storm surge and what causes the ocean to enter homes and properties, that modelling needs to be further developed," said Amanda Dean, vice president of Atlantic IBC.
The situation is exposing gaps in an industry trying to catch up as disasters become more frequent and unpredictable.
"That's why our industry is so motivated to sit at the table with government and talk about private and public partnerships in order to help those who are at the highest risk," said Dean.
In the meantime, the road to recovery is littered with more questions than answers.
"Back in the day, it was necessary to build the homes by the sea, but is it today? That's the question we have to ask ourselves," said Button.
As many wait to see what provincial and federal support they may qualify for, a GoFundMe campaign for the Savery's has raised nearly $50,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
BREAKING Jury deliberations begin in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case
Jury deliberations began Wednesday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, putting the outcome of the historic case in the hands of a dozen New Yorkers who have vowed to be fair and impartial in the face of their unprecedented task.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
P.E.I. kiteboarder 'lucky to be alive' after shark attack in Turks and Caicos
A professional kiteboarder from P.E.I. says he has been seriously injured in a shark attack that occurred while he was snorkelling in the Turks and Caicos Islands last week.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
What weather experts say to expect this summer in Canada
Get ready to feel the heat, Canada. Weather experts are predicting more sunshine and warmer temperatures for the summer.
Canada announces $11B for military aircraft training
Canada has announced an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military, including the purchase of 70 training aircraft for the Future Aircrew Training program.
CNN exclusive: A federal grand jury may soon hear from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' accusers
Federal investigators are preparing to bring accusers of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs before a federal grand jury, two sources familiar with the probe tell CNN — signaling the U.S. Justice Department is moving toward potentially seeking an indictment of Combs.
In bizarre provocation, North Korea flies trash, manure balloons over the South
North Korea flew hundreds of balloons carrying trash and manure toward South Korea in one of its most bizarre provocations against its rival in years, prompting the South’s military to mobilize chemical and explosive response teams to recover objects and debris in different parts of the country.