With spring finally here, it's a great time for homeowners to review their insurance policies and make sure that they're covered against the type of damage that comes with the change in weather.

During the spring, floods and the resulting water damage can be caused by the combination of snow melt and heavy rains that come with this time of year. If you're not prepared, water damage can do permanent structural damage to your home. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates, there are between 30,000 and 40,000 incidents each year involving water damage in basements significant enough to warrant an insurance claim, with a total cost of approximately $140 million.

Basement flooding is a serious concern, for a number of reasons. If your basement floods regularly, it can result in long term damage to the building and even reduce your property value. People who suffer from respiratory ailments often have more difficulty in chronically damp homes. And repeated insurance claims for basement flooding can increase your premiums and minimum deductibles. It's important to remember that not all of this damage is covered by home insurance. Damage caused by a flood is generally not covered unless you have flood insurance. Some other forms of water damage are covered, however, and we'll talk about that in more detail later in this article.

Prepare your home for Spring

The best defence against the flooding that can come in the spring months is to prepare your home ahead of time. Not all water damage is preventable, but regular maintenance can protect you against many of the common causes of damage.

Here are some ways you can protect your belongings from water damage during the spring thaw: