Brokers Can Help Clients Strengthen Windstorm Preparedness: Ecclesiastical Insurance
Toronto, ON (Aug. 26, 2026) – As Atlantic hurricane season continues and summer severe weather brings the potential for tornadoes, thunderstorms and damaging winds across Canada, Ecclesiastical Insurance is highlighting the role brokers can play in helping clients identify windstorm vulnerabilities and strengthen property preparedness.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), severe weather-related insured losses exceeded $2.4 billion in 2025, making it the tenth costliest year on record. Over the past decade, annual insured losses from catastrophic weather and wildfires have nearly tripled compared with the previous decade, reinforcing the importance of proactive risk mitigation.
Windstorms can cause significant damage to roofs, windows, exterior building components, trees and outdoor equipment. Hurricanes and severe thunderstorms can also bring heavy rainfall and localized flooding, creating additional exposures for organizations and their properties.
“Brokers have an important opportunity to support clients by encouraging conversations about windstorm preparedness and property protection,” said Colin Robertson, Chief Experience Officer at Ecclesiastical Insurance. “Helping organizations identify vulnerabilities and take practical preventative measures can strengthen resilience and reduce their exposure when severe weather occurs.”
For brokers serving educational institutions, charities, arts and cultural organizations, faith communities, associations, heritage properties, and leisure and recreation facilities, these conversations can include practical measures such as regular roof and building inspections, tree and grounds maintenance, securing outdoor equipment and signage, and reviewing procedures for severe weather.
Monitoring forecasts and alerts, identifying safe areas within buildings, and ensuring staff and volunteers understand what to do when severe weather approaches are also important considerations.
To support brokers and their clients, Ecclesiastical offers practical risk management resources focused on windstorm and related weather risks. Its Windstorm Emergency Response Plan provides guidance for preparing properties and people before severe weather, responding safely during an event, and assessing conditions afterward.
Additional resources include the Are You Flood-Smart? Risk Bulletin and Ecclesiastical Specialist School™ training on Best Practices on Flood Protection, Prevention & Mitigation, which address flood risks that can accompany hurricanes and severe storms.
“Regular property maintenance and seasonal inspections can help address potential vulnerabilities before they become more significant concerns,” Robertson added. “These are practical conversations brokers can have with clients throughout the season to help protect people, property, and the organizations they serve.”
Ecclesiastical’s windstorm and flood preparedness resources are available through the company’s Risk Hub.
About Ecclesiastical Insurance
Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc is a specialist commercial insurer dedicated to protecting organizations that enrich the lives of others, including educational institutions, charities, landmark and heritage properties, arts and cultural institutions, associations and member groups, leisure and recreation facilities, and faith-based communities. Through tailored insurance solutions and risk management expertise, Ecclesiastical helps organizations build resilience, safeguard their missions, and protect the people and places that matter most. For more information, visit ecclesiastical.ca.
SOURCE: Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc
Tags: Brokers, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Natural Catastrophes, resilience, severe weather, storm surge damage