Helpful Consumer Links
INSURANCE – RESIDENTIAL |
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| Insurance Bureau of Canada | The Insurance Bureau of Canada, the association for general insurance companies in Canada, provides tips for insuring all types of residential properties. |
| Homeowner Safety Brochures | The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction provides helpful information for protecting your home from flooding, severe wind, snow and ice, wildfire and earthquake. |
| Strata Housing | Owners and residents in all strata properties must the follow the Strata Property Act and Regulations as well as the strata’s bylaws and rules. |
| Strata Insurance | Strata property owners should become familiar with laws regarding insuring their building and common property, and the importance of having a separate policy for their unit and contents. |
INSURANCE – BUSINESS |
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| Business Insurance | The Insurance Bureau of Canada provides information on insurance for businesses. |
| Open for Business | A free business-continuity package. |
INSURANCE – AUTO |
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| Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) | ICBC is responsible for all driver registration and vehicle licensing throughout B.C. |
| Road Safety | Tips on safe driving, road conditions, speeding, auto crime and how to buy a safer vehicle, published by ICBC. |
| Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure | A wide range of transportation safety topics including: speed limits, wildlife collisions, and winter driving. |
GENERAL SAFETY & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS |
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| Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery |
The provincial government provides information on local emergency programs. |
| Get Prepared |
Practical information for creating an emergency safety plan for your family. |
| Weather Office |
Up-to-date forecasts to keep you abreast of any hazardous weather conditions. |
| Public Safety & Emergency Services | Resources relating to community safety, crime prevention, liquor control and licensing, fire safety and fraud protection. |
| Serving It Right | The mandatory self-study course on the host’s responsibilities when serving alcohol. |
CRIME |
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| BC Crime Prevention | Resources for province-wide crime awareness and prevention such as, home security, arson, auto theft and fraud. |
| Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) | Public resources and crime statistics. |
| Block Watch Society of B.C. | Block Watch helps residents reduce crime and promote neighbourhood security. |
| E-Comm 911 | An overview of how to report emergency vs. non-emergency crime situations. |
| The Vancouver Police Department | Resources for getting involved with Community Policing and Citizens' Crime Watch. |
| Crime Free Housing | A certification program for rental property owners who want to create and maintain crime-free housing. |
Cycling safety |
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| Hub, your cycling connection | A charitable organization on a mission to make cycling an attractive commuting option for everyone. |
| Bike Sense BC | Cycling safety with a B.C. focus. |
Pedestrian safety |
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| HASTe | The Hub for Active School Travel (HASTe) aims to reduce the impact of negative school-related transportation choices. |
| Road Sense | ICBC has free learning resources created by road safety experts and educators to help B.C. students develop road safety skills and awareness. |
Fire |
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| Evacuation Tip Sheet | Tip sheet for consumers in an area at risk of a wildfire to prepare them to leave their homes on short notice. |
| Fire Prevention Canada | National site dedicated to fire prevention and education. |
| Office of the Fire Commissioner | Information on fire safety and prevention. |
| Contains resources related to wildfire threat. | |
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Report a Wildfire: |
1-800-663-5555 or 5555 from a cellular phone. |
| Safe at Home | Fire-safety tips, techniques and product information. Test your home's safety with the "Safety Quiz." |
Flood |
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| Provincial Flood Information | Up-to-date information on flooding in B.C. |
| B.C. Floodplain Maps | Ministry of Environment floodplain maps and design briefs. |
Earthquake |
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| ShakeOut BC | A province-wide drill designed to educate the public in the event of a major earthquake. |
| Provincial Earthquake Information | What to do before, during and after a quake. A downloadable booklet, Earthquake and Tsunami Smart, is available. |
| Earthquake Risk Tool | A risk-mapping tool provided by the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction. |
HOMEOWNER & TENANT GENERAL INFORMATION |
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| Canadian Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) | Current housing information, for consumers looking to, buy, rent or renovate a home. |
| Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C. (CHOA) | Resources, advocacy and education for condo owners and strata corporations in B.C. |
| Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre (TRAC) | Information on tenants' rights in B.C. |
| Co-op Housing Federation of B.C. | Information related to co-op housing in B.C. |
| Vancouver Island Strata Owners Association (VISO) | A resource guide for strata owners on Vancouver Island. |
FINANCIAL PLANNING and SAFETY |
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| Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) | Useful information to help you with all your financial planning, from making a budget to shopping for a mortgage. |
| Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre | Tips on how to recognize report and stop fraud. |
| Scams and Fraud | Protect yourself from scams and fraud including: identity theft, email fraud, mass marketing, internet-related fraud and investment fraud. |
| Unclaimed Property | Search for any unclaimed funds to which you may be entitled. |
DISPUTE RESOLUTION |
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| General Insurance OmbudService | The GIO is an independent dispute resolution service for complaints related to home, auto or business insurance. |
| Mediate BC | The Mediate BC Society provides a range of dispute resolution services in B.C. |
| Civil Resolution Tribunal | An online resource for resolving strata and, in time, small claims disputes. |