Peace of Mind With Okanagan Home Insurance
Okanagan is a region located in southern British Columbia, just north of the border between Canada and the United States. Notable features include the Cascade Mountains to the southwest and Okanagan Lake. There are several relatively large cities in this region, including Vernon, Penticton and Kelowna. If you intend to settle in one of these cities, or anywhere else in the region, you need the protection of Okanagan home insurance.
Agriculture has been important to the Okanagan region for over a century. Today, Okanagan is famous as Canada's wine country, where you will find award-winning vineyards and vintages. Other important crops in Okanagan include fruit trees, lavender and sage. Residents and visitors alike enjoy fishing or boating on Okanagan Lake and other outdoor activities in one of the 10 provincial parks found in the region, including the charmingly named Wrinkly Face Provincial Park. Local wineries and restaurants offer epicurean delights, and golf is a popular pastime.
Climate of the Okanagan Region
There is a dramatic difference between the climate of the northern Okanagan Valley and the southern part of the region. Residents recognize the city of Kelowna as the approximate point of division between the two.
Temperatures in the northern area tend to be relatively cooler. Northern Okanagan tends to get more precipitation. Though relatively mild by Canadian standards, winters in Kelowna can be cold, with high temperatures hovering near the freezing point. Scientists refer to this as a humid continental climate.
The southern area of the Okanagan Valley has a semi-arid climate. Apart from the Arctic, this is one of the driest regions in all of Canada. Southern Okanagan boasts the highest average daytime temperature in all of Canada, approximately 15 C. Note that this is the average for the entire year; temperatures can climb much higher in the summer and dip down lower in the winter. Southern Okanagan is xeric scrubland, the only ecosystem of its kind in the entire country.
Effects on Okanagan Home Insurance
The climate variations between north and south make a difference to your Okanagan home insurance coverage. In Kelowna and areas to its north, you may see approximately 65 centimetres of snow per year. Heavy snowfall can damage your trees and your roof. In the wetter north, you may also have to consider flood insurance, which standard home policies usually do not include.
Home insurance is an important consideration in southern Okanagan as well. The hotter, drier environment increases the risk of wildfires. The 2018 and 2023 wildfire seasons have been among the worst ever seen in British Columbia, destroying over 1 million hectares and causing millions of dollars in property damage. To a certain extent, wildfires are necessary for the health of the forest and grassland. However, uncontrolled wildfires pose a risk to the health and safety of the human inhabitants of the region. They also emit greenhouse gases which, in turn, increase the risk of more wildfires by contributing to increased temperatures due to the greenhouse effect.
Benefits of Having Home Insurance in Okanagan
The purchase of your home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make. If an adverse event, whether a natural disaster or a human act, should damage or destroy your property, home insurance typically reimburses you for the loss so you can start over.
Home insurance doesn't just protect your property; it also protects you from liability. If someone gets hurt on your property, your home insurance policy should cover the ensuing medical expenses.