COVID-19 Information
To help keep you and your business safe during the COVID-19 outbreak, the following are some resources to assist you with your pandemic planning and business continuity efforts.
27 minute read
Business Insurance Customers
Personal Home & Auto Insurance Customers
Message to our customers
TruShield was founded on the idea that protecting your home or business should be as easy and uncomplicated as possible. Now, more than ever, this remains our utmost priority. We know that our commercial insurance customers are facing new and unprecedented challenges. We continue to monitor this situation closely and want to share some of the things that we’re doing to help you:
- We know that many of our customers have had to temporarily close locations, so we’re automatically extending coverage for unoccupied buildings. Please contact us if any of your locations are closed for longer than 90 days. We’ve also created this guide outlining steps that you can take to help keep you and your property safe when your business is closed.
- If you’ve parked your business vehicles temporarily due to reduced operations, please contact us and we’ll work with you to suspend liability and collision coverage until your vehicles are back on the road again.
- If you’ve initiated delivery services to keep your business up and running, contact us and we’ll work with you to make sure that you’re protected.
- We know that many of our customers are using their personal vehicles less during the pandemic. That’s why we’re offering them options to reduce their premium if they’ve changed their driving behaviour or will not be driving at all.
We also have a COVID-19 resource page on the TruShield Insurance website with information to assist you with your pandemic preparedness and business continuity efforts, and we’ll be updating this page with new resources as they become available.
If you have questions about how your insurance coverage is affected by the pandemic, we are only a phone call or email away.
These are challenging times for all of us, and as the situation continues to evolve, so will our support.
Please stay safe.
Tony O’Brien
Executive Vice President, TruShield Insurance
Resources
Business Continuity & Preparedness
Government of Canada: Business Support
Business Resources
Tools
FAQs
Are your offices still open?
At TruShield Insurance, the health and wellness of our employees and customers is our utmost priority. As a proactive measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19, all of our employees are now working remotely. We remain open for business and are here to serve you.
How can I contact you?
My business has been impacted by COVID-19. Will you be offering flexibility for premium payments?
If you’re experiencing financial difficulty because of the pandemic, please contact us.
Can I still submit a claim?
Yes. Click here for more information on how to report a claim.
Are my business premises covered if they’re unoccupied for a period of time during the pandemic?
Yes, your policy will continue to cover your premises. Please contact us for more details about the coverage within your policy.
Is there any coverage for legal actions against me resulting from the pandemic?
Depending on the terms and conditions of your policy, your business may be covered for allegations related to the pandemic. Please contact us for details.
If my business closes, experiences a loss of revenue, or has increased expenses through the period of the pandemic, will I be covered by business interruption or business income insurance?
Please contact us to discuss the details of your policy.
Have coverage questions?
If you have questions about coverage related to the pandemic outbreak, please call us at 1.844.795.7975.
Reporting claims
Please report any non-emergency claims online by filling out one of the following forms.
If your claim is urgent, or you have a question about a claim already in process, please call 1.855.629.1213.
Business Support FAQs
What should I do if I’m concerned about rent payments?
Federal
The Federal government has announced an emergency aid package that will directly support Canadians and businesses facing financial hardship. For more details on the program and information on eligibility, please visit this site.
Provincial
AB
For details on rent payment plans from the Government of Alberta, please visit this site.
BC
NB
NS
I am struggling to meet some of my obligations (utilities, suppliers, etc.), can I postpone these payments?
Federal
Information on Federal support for businesses can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.
Provincial
AB
According to the Government of Alberta website, Albertans who are experiencing financial hardship directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic can work with their utility company to defer electricity and natural gas bills until June 19, 2020 without any late fees or added interest payments. For more details, please visit this site.
BC
NB
NL
NS
PE
QC
Has any relief been announced with respect to the payment of WSIB premiums?
Provincial
Ontario
WSIB is offering a financial relief package to all Ontario businesses to help reduce the financial burden of the COVID-19 situation. Visit this link to learn more.
What are the details for the temporary wage subsidy?
The Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers is a three-month measure that will allow eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions required to be remitted to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). For more information, please visit this site.
What guidance has governments provided to employers where one of their staff has to take leave because they’re ill, self-isolating, or in quarantine?
The Government of Canada has asked that employers consider relaxing sick leave policies for employees who are ill. This includes suspending the need for medical notes to return to work, as it reduces the burden on an already stressed health care system. If employees are required to take unpaid leave, the Government of Canada recommends that individuals who are sick or quarantined because of COVID-19 should apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit, whether or not are eligible for Employment Insurance. The Benefit is available for the period from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020. Learn more here.
My business provides an essential service. How can I reduce risk to employees?
The Government of Canada has provided decision-making guidelines for workplaces and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic on this website.
What guidance has governments provided to employers who have to temporarily lay off employees because of COVID-19?
Consultation with legal counsel is recommended if you plan to undertake any such measures. Employment and Social Development Canada has provided the following guidelines on termination of employment on this website.
Business is slow and I don’t have enough work for my employees. Are there any resources available to help deal with this?
Unfortunately, this is likely to be the case for many businesses. The Government of Canada’s Work-Sharing (WS) program helps employers and employees to avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in business activity beyond the control of the employer. The program provides Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to eligible employees who agree to reduce their normal working hours and share the available work while their employer recovers. Learn more.
My staff are working remotely. What are some best practices?
As the COVID-19 situation evolves, many companies are working to support employees who are working from home. A few things that you as an employer could do to help facilitate Work From Home effectively are listed here.
Where can I find more information about qualification for EI benefits?
To review the eligibility requirements for EI, visit this site for more details.
I need access to cash flow, where can I apply for support?
To access a list of government Economic Response Plans, visit this site.
Is my business considered to be an essential service?
Federal
The definition of an essential service can vary from one province to another. To see if your business has been defined as an essential service, click this link for an online guide.
Provincial
Nova Scotia
The Government of Nova Scotia has developed an online tool to quickly help employers determine if they may remain open, in compliance with current workplace safety requirements. Visit this site for more details.
Latest blogs
Important infection control strategies for restaurantsJuly 9, 2020 - 12:15 pm
Infection control tips for retailersJuly 9, 2020 - 11:32 am
Big social media tools for small businessesJune 30, 2020 - 2:21 pm
Guidelines for infection control on your job siteJune 23, 2020 - 11:39 am
Tackle messes with the right insurance for your cleaning businessJune 1, 2020 - 2:37 pm
Key infection control guidelines for your job siteMay 28, 2020 - 4:13 pm
