Barrie, Ontario — New estimates from the Insurance Bureau of Canada show that Barrie, Ont. and its surrounding communities were hit harder by July’s tornado than previously thought, as the city continues rebuilding the newly estimated $100 million in insured damage.
On July 15, a tornado swept through Barrie and its neighbours of Innisfil, Kawartha Lakes, Little Britain, Manilla, Lindsay and Lake of Bays. Previous estimates put the damage costs at $75 million, however, the insurance body increased that estimate on Thursday, based on surveys from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc.
Environment Canada has said that the damage path of the tornado that hit Barrie was about five kilometres long and up to 100 metres wide, with maximum wind speeds of 210 kilometres per hour.
The tornadoes left 71 homes uninhabitable and resulted in more than 2,200 insurance claims for damage to personal and commercial property, the Insurance Bureau of Canada said.
The insurance bureau’s Ontario vice-president, Kim Donaldson, said in a statement that there had been “some delays due to supply chain shortages caused by the pandemic” in sorting claims and asked policyholders for “patience.”
“Insurers have been in the community since day one, working hard to help their clients throughout the entire claims process, and will continue to work with policyholders,” Donaldson said.
Residents affected by the tornadoes or those who have questions about their home, auto or business insurance should contact their insurance representative or the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s information centre, Donaldson said.
