In partnership with the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR),
Aviva Canada has launched Plan & Protect, a free mobile app that provides Canadians with customized information about what to do before, during and after a severe weather event or earthquake.
“We share a common goal with
Aviva Canada – to protect Canadians and educate them about disaster prevention and emergency preparedness,” says Glenn McGillivray, Managing Director, ICLR. “We’re proud to be involved in a partnership with Aviva – who is committed to digital innovation - that will help Canadians and provide them with the information they need to prepare for natural disasters, whether caused by a severe storm or a devastating earthquake. Together we can control the damage caused by natural hazards and build more resilient communities.”
The app, which is free of charge, offers personalized information and advice from a variety of respected sources, including the ICLR, the Canadian Red Cross and Public Safety Canada. “As one of the leading insurers in Canada, we see the devastating impact of severe weather and natural disasters firsthand,” says Irene Bianchi, EVP National Claims, Aviva Canada. “We’re excited to partner with the ICLR to help people prepare for the unexpected. Canadians who download the Plan & Protect app will have the information they need to protect their family and homes, even if Wi-Fi isn’t available.”
Once the app is downloaded, users are asked to create a profile and answer a brief set of questions in order to determine their level of vulnerability to Canada’s five most common severe weather events and natural disasters – floods, wildfires, severe wind, winter storms and earthquakes. Each area, city and region has its own unique risk profile, so it’s important for people to know about the events they’re most likely to encounter. Plan & Protect can be used in two distinct ways - by timeframe (i.e., before, during or after an emergency) or by type of emergency - and tells users exactly what to include in a 72-hour emergency kit. The app also sends seasonal preparedness tips and stores home and auto insurance policy information, allowing a user to access all content without an Internet or data connection.
The app is available for Apple and Android devices, in English or French, and is available now in support of National Emergency Preparedness Week (May 1-7). For the first 10,000 app downloads, Aviva Canada will donate $5 for each download to the
Canadian Red Cross to help communities affected by disasters.
