As summer approaches, many Canadians are planning trips to waterfront cottages or pools to cool off – but a new survey by Allstate Insurance Company of Canada has suggested that the pandemic restrictions may have negatively impacted the swimming and water safety skills of Canadians, which could put them in danger.
The survey, conducted by Leger for Allstate, showed that 57% of Canadians plan to spend time near water this summer. Of that figure, 31% indicated that they plan to be near water at a rented cottage, or one owned by family or friends. It was also found that respondents aged 18 to 34 (65%) and households with children (78%) are proportionally more likely to plan vacations near water.
As popular as a vacation next to a swimming location is, the risk of untrained swimmers cannot be discounted. Nearly a third of Canadian respondents (30%) said that the pandemic negatively impacted their time spent reinforcing and learning about water safety due to fewer opportunities to swim, cancelled or missed swimming lessons, or a lapse in learning lifesaving techniques and training, Allstate’s survey said.
Citing data from the Lifesaving Society’s 2020 Drowning Report, Allstate said that 70% of the drownings in Canada occurred in natural bodies of water. Such numbers highlight the need for more education and public awareness, the insurer commented.
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Allstate also found that 53% of respondents who own a cottage are only somewhat familiar with the insurance liability coverage, while 21% are not familiar at all. Meanwhile, for those who rent out their backyard pool, 58% are somewhat familiar with their insurance liability coverage, while 18% said they are not. Liability insurance is required when the property owner encounters unexpected costs due to accidents.
“It is very important for Canadians to speak with an insurance agent to ensure they have the appropriate coverage before they choose to rent their property,” said Allstate agency manager Gene Myles. “For instance, in some provinces they may require an endorsement added to a policy, in other regions, they may require an increase in their liability coverage.”
