When wildfires hit close to home, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. In Manitoba, the recent surge in wildfire activity has left many homeowners and cottage owners wondering what steps to take, what their insurance actually covers, and how to get the support they need. We spoke with Ryan Martens, CEO of Fast Insurance to unpack some of the most frequently asked questions and concerns, especially for those currently facing evacuation or property loss.
If someone learns their cottage or home has burned, what is the absolute first thing they need to do?
“The most important thing? Leave immediately,” says Ryan. “If you get called for an evacuation, just go. Don’t stress about grabbing everything; follow the orders and get out safely.”
He adds, “Most insurance policies cover evacuation, typically offering around $2,500 in Additional Living Expenses (ALE). That one-time payout helps you cover hotel stays, meals, and incidental costs during an evacuation period—usually a week or so. That small fund is designed for immediate relief, before any actual home damage kicks in.”
“Once fire damage occurs, your ALE coverage shifts into a longer-term benefit, paying for months of renting, hotels, food, and even clothes, if needed.”
So does this mean the payout is separate from the damage claims?
“That initial $2,500 is purely for evacuation—it’s distinct from long-term claims for damaged property,” Ryan explains.
Once someone’s evacuated and discovers damage, what should they do regarding their belongings?
“The biggest challenge in any claim is remembering what you owned. Insurance companies expect you to list everything—couches, TVs, family heirlooms. The easiest way? Prepare ahead: walk through your home with your phone, video-record everything. Open closets, drawers, and pantries. Say aloud what you have: ‘Two couches, a china cabinet, three TVs, four lamps…’”
“If you don’t already have that footage, don’t panic—start immediately after evacuation. Take a camera and create the most detailed list possible. The more keys you can provide, the more accurate your payout will be.”
That sounds like a lot to remember in a stressful moment. What’s your advice for people trying to build that list after a loss?
“Lean on your memory, but also ask friends and family. They’ve seen your space and might remember things you’ve forgotten. And remember—every small item adds up. Don’t skip the small stuff.”
If someone is ready to start a claim, who do they contact first?
“During business hours, call your broker. They can guide the process. If it’s after hours, call your insurance company’s emergency line—they’re staffed 24/7.
Here’s what you’ll need: your policy number, if available. If not, they’ll find you via name and address. Expect some slowdown due to claim volume during major wildfire events, but calls will be answered.”
What happens next, especially regarding contents vs structure?
“Let’s break it into two parts:
Personal property: That’s your stuff—TVs, furniture, appliances. You’ll need to create a comprehensive list if you don’t already have one. Walk room‑by‑room. Obtain quotes if possible, so you can demonstrate the value of each item.
Structural property (home or cottage): Insurers typically have this data readily available, including year built, square footage, construction type, and number of stories. That means this part tends to be easier to evaluate. However, details still matter: the quality of finishes, type of flooring, countertops, and cabinetry—they vary widely.”
Many people send minimal specs when getting quotes. How important is it to provide detailed build information?
We are now getting calls from people collecting quotes with minimal specs: footage, a few photos, and off they go. However, as a builder, I know how many variables can be overlooked—hardwood vs. engineered, level-one granite vs. level-five, etc.
“That’s a key challenge—insurers don’t have every single detail, so they rely on utmost good faith. That means they trust you to be honest about your materials and finishes. If you had upgraded kitchens, special toilets, that needs to be communicated.”
“Some of that they can verify from permits or previous inspections. But many items depend on you telling them, so keep records and receipts of upgrades.” Says Ryan
What should homeowners do to prevent being underpaid on quotes they provide?
Ryan explained, “With large-scale events, adjusters are overwhelmed and may lean on homeowners. In smaller events, adjusters manage quotes and contact builders directly.”
“When homeowners gather quotes, they must ensure those quotes reflect their pre-loss property. If you submit a low quote, that may become your reality, so get reputable quotes that match your quality.”
We’ve had projects where three quotes were submitted: Two were almost identical, one was 60% lower, and the 60% lower one was accepted. That homeowner was very shortchanged.
What should people do?
Ryan added, “Advocate for yourself. Insurers may go with the cheapest quote. If that contractor’s quote doesn’t match your property standards, push back. Contact your broker immediately. Broker advocacy is key—they can negotiate with the insurer, request higher estimates, or ask for additional quotes.”
Who will cover the code upgrade and bylaw requirement costs when rebuilding?
Ryan explained, “Most homeowner policies include a code upgrade/bylaw endorsement, typically offering around $30,000 extra coverage. This pays for structural upgrades for compliance, like thicker insulation, 2×6 stud walls instead of older 2×4, double-pane windows, fire-rated materials, etc.”
“Seasonal and residential policies don’t always include this automatically—you must ask for it.”
If upgrades exceed $30,000, the homeowner covers the rest.
“You can increase the endorsement limit if needed. Work with your broker to determine if $30,000 is enough or if you need $50,000 or $100,000. Do this before rebuilding starts.”
Can homeowners choose to take a cash settlement instead of rebuilding?
“That depends on your policy,” Ryan says. “Some policies offer a cash settlement clause, allowing you to take cash without rebuilding. But this is rare for large properties like cottages.”
“Most people will have to commit to rebuilding to ‘like kind and quality’. You can upgrade during rebuilding, but you cover any extra costs yourself. Want an extra bathroom or upgraded finishes? That’s out of your pocket.”
What if your policy’s insured value isn’t enough due to rising costs?
If your policy’s insured value—say $400K—is not enough due to rising costs?
“That’s where Guaranteed or Extended Replacement Cost coverage helps,” Ryan explains. “Instead of paying only up to your limit, insurance pays up to 125% of the policy value to cover inflation or unexpected rebuild costs.”
“Some policies combine dwelling, contents, outbuildings, and ALE into one single limit. This is helpful if one area is underinsured—you can borrow from another.”
What is the number one mistake people make with wildfire insurance claims?
Ryan shares, “Underinsuring seasonal properties is the biggest mistake. People assume old cottages are cheap—‘It’s just old.’ But remote builds cost more due to logistics, transport, barges, helicopters, etc.”
“Urban homes might cost $400 per square foot; off-grid cottages can be $600 per square foot or more.”
“If you input ‘standard construction, nothing fancy,’ your calculator spits out a low value, which may not reflect reality. For example, a 1,000 sq ft remote cabin might need $600,000 to rebuild, but if insured for only $400,000, that leaves a $200,000 shortfall.”
What if someone evacuated but their home isn’t damaged?
Ryan says, “After safety comes control. Check your insurance policy: Are you covered for fire? Do you have bylaw/code upgrades? Guaranteed replacement cost? Are seasonal buildings and docks properly listed?”
“Report to your broker: especially if you have boathouses, bunkhouses, or landscaping not covered elsewhere.”
“Some insurers freeze policy changes when wildfires are nearby (within 25–75 km). Once restrictions lift, update your policy.”
Fire prevention is important too. “Clear trees and shrubs 50 feet from your structure. If nothing fire can latch onto, it may pass by.”
What else should homeowners watch for in their policies?
“Most policies have special limits on valuables,” Ryan notes. “Jewelry may have default limits of $5,000 to $10,000. If you own valuable pieces like a $20,000 engagement ring, schedule it for full value and to avoid deductibles.”
“Collectibles, art, cash, bikes, boats all have limits. You may need to schedule or add floaters for coverage above those limits.”
“Replacement cost on contents means insurers reimburse for new, same-kind, or quality items, even if your old item was used. A 20-year-old TV will be replaced with a new TV of equal specs, not a used one.”
What’s the difference between market value and rebuild cost?
Ryan explains, “Market value is the price someone will pay to buy your home. Rebuild cost is the material and labour cost to construct your home from scratch.”
“Cottage markets often have high sale prices—you might see a $1 million home insured for $500,000, because rebuild cost is less than market value. Conversely, you might get a bargain by buying a property well below its rebuild cost. Insurance picks reality: rebuild cost, not sale price.”
What are coverage enhancers like single limit and guaranteed replacement cost?
“Single limit coverage lets you draw from the contents allowance to supplement dwelling limits,” Ryan says. “If your home is underinsured, but your contents limit has unused space, you can ‘borrow’ it.”
“These work hand-in-hand with guaranteed replacement cost.”
Do most cottages qualify?
“Not all cottages qualify. Some insurers don’t offer them or only at higher premiums. You can shop around.”
What’s your top advice for homeowners facing wildfire risk?
“Be proactive,” Ryan urges. “Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Ensure your property is thoroughly documented and that you are familiar with your policy’s details. Your home—or cottage—is an investment worth protecting. A small amount of preparation today can pay off huge tomorrow.”
And one underrated tip?
“Use your broker. We represent both you and the insurer, ensuring fair treatment for all parties involved. If you’re being offered a low quote or suffering delays, we step in, coordinate new estimates, and follow through. You don’t have to go it alone.”
Proactive Checklist Before Wildfire Season
Let’s step out of damage and into prevention—what should every homeowner do before wildfire season?
Verify your insurance limits:
- Dwelling rebuild value
- Guaranteed replacement cost option
- Code/bylaw upgrade endorsement
- Single limit
- Scheduled items (jewelry, collectibles, boats, tractors, etc.)
Document your property thoroughly:
- Video walkthrough inside/outside
- Highlight finishes, custom upgrades, outbuildings
- Store videos in the cloud
Check for policy exclusions:
- Seasonal occupancy limits
- Renovation disclosures
- Unreported structures
Create a defensible space:
- Remove trees, brush, and plantings within 50 ft of the structure
- Create fire barriers (rock, gravel, lawn)
Adjust before disaster:
- If wildfires are near, expect a freeze on coverage updates
- Lock in needed coverages before evacuation orders
If You’re Evacuated Today—Urgent Steps
Recap of key steps if evacuation is underway:
- Leave immediately
- Contact Insurer/Broker—during business hours, call the broker; otherwise, call the insurer’s emergency line
- Record what you have—video walk-throughs (if you have them), photos, receipts and create a detailed list
- File your claim quickly—don’t wait
- Be accurate—document contents and structure quality
- Advocate—ask your broker for guidance and intervene if the settlement seems low or misaligned
- Monitor—stay involved; don’t let the claim close without your confirmation
Summary Cheat Sheet
Situation & what to do:
- Evacuation order: Leave immediately. Call the insurer/broker. Claim ALE.
- After damage: Inventory contents. Provide details on finishes. Collect quotes.
- Insurance review: Check limits, upgrades, guaranteed replacement costs, and schedule valuables.
- Rebuilding: Rebuild like-for-like or upgrade at your cost. Advocate on low quotes.
- Before wildfire season: Clear 50 ft around structures. Update policy. Video record interior & exterior.
- Worst-case post-loss: Report claims fast. Advocate. Use a broker.
- Value reality check: Rebuild cost does not equal market value. Confirm the policy reflects inflation.
Helpful Resources
- Government of Manitoba Emergency Management
- Fast Insurance
- Fast Insurance Blogs
- Wildfire Evacuation Guide (Canada)
This article was prepared with insights from Ryan Martens of Fast Insurance and Glen Veenstra of Pine Creek Homes. If you’re unsure about your coverage or want to prepare better before the next season, now is the time to take a closer look. Your future self will thank you.
