Mayor Scott Requests Extension of Insurance Deadlines

Mayor Don Scott issued a statement requesting that insurance deadlines be extended for residents of the RMWB and property owners effected by the 2016 Horse River Wildfire.  Mayor Scott commended the insurance companies who voluntarily extended the deadline, and called on other companies to do the same. The following is the entirety of Mayor Scott’s statement:

“As our residents continue to recover from the 2016 Horse River Wildfire, the Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has requested that a one-year extension to insurance claims be granted to all Wood Buffalo residents and property owners impacted by the wildfire.

Many residents in our region were unable to begin the process of rebuilding their homes until November 2016, with some not knowing if they would be able to rebuild as late as June 2017. Beyond these initial delays, residents with attached and semi-detached homes or condominiums continue to face significant complications with their rebuild.

We are aware that some insurance providers have voluntarily extended the two-year time limit for some of our residents and property owners. We commend this approach and hope that other insurance providers take similar steps in support of our community.

On behalf of residents and Council, on March 19, I presented these concerns in a meeting with Minister Ceci and Ms. Nelam Jetha, Superintendent of Insurance. I want to thank the Minister and Superintendent for consideration of this matter and look forward to the Government of Alberta’s continued support of our recovery efforts.”