Westland Insurance Releases Practical Guide to Help Canadian Business Owners Prepare for Unpredictable Winter Weather

Strategic Insights -

As winter approaches in Canada, business owners in the provinces of British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec face unique challenges that can impact their property, operations, and employees. Canadian winters can change overnight, and for many small and mid-sized businesses, that can mean costly downtime or damage. Westland Insurance, one of Canada's largest insurance brokerages, has released a practical guide designed to help businesses prepare for the unpredictable winter weather. The guide offers actionable tips and recommendations to help business owners identify vulnerabilities and protect their assets before the next storm hits.

Key Takeaways:

  • The guide provides practical maintenance tips to prevent damage from wind and ice to storefronts and signage, such as securing outdoor furniture and heavy equipment.
  • Business owners can reduce losses from leaks or power outages by taking simple measures such as installing storm shutters, using backup generators, and maintaining a snow removal plan.
  • The guide recommends reviewing insurance coverage in case of business interruption, including consideration of business interruption insurance and contingent business interruption insurance.
  • Westland Insurance suggests building a storm response plan, including assigning roles, keeping emergency contacts handy, and backing up key data.
  • The guide also includes recommendations for long-term resilience, such as building community partnerships and investing in risk management strategies.
  • Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing insurance brokers in Canada, trading over $4 billion of premium.
  • The company operates coast to coast, providing expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments.
  • Westland's mission is to protect individuals, businesses, and communities across Canada with trusted advice and tailored insurance solutions.

Statistics:

  • 80% of small and mid-sized businesses in Canada are vulnerable to winter-related disruptions.
  • 60% of businesses in British Columbia report experiencing storm-related damage to property and disrupt operations.
  • The cost of winter-related downtime averages $50,000 per day for small and mid-sized businesses in Canada.

Sources:

  • Westland Insurance Group. (2025). Practical Guide to Help Canadian Business Owners Prepare for Unpredictable Winter Weather.
  • Globe NewsWire. (2025). Westland Insurance Releases Practical Guide to Help Canadian Business Owners Prepare for Unpredictable Winter Weather.