Having to call 911 is usually during one of the most traumatic experiences for a person. However, for some Canadians, the fees associated with 911 calls can result in a lasting shock that lingers long after the event. In most Canadian cities, the fire departments are funded through municipal budgets. This means that when you pay your property taxes, they’re also covering the costs of firefighters and other first responders. These costs include their salaries, equipment, and fuel in the event of an emergency in your home or neighbourhood.
However, this isn’t how all municipalities work. In some cases, residents are charged additional fees for emergency and fire services, in addition to their property taxes. For example, in towns such as Lacombe County, Alberta, these costs can vary widely. Generally, it depends on where you live and what your home insurance policy covers. Let’s take a closer look at 911 calls, fees, and how they can affect your home insurance coverage.
What is a 911 Call?
In the event of an emergency, people typically know to dial 911. According to the official Toronto Police Service website, an emergency is considered any situation that requires immediate assistance from a first responder. First responders can include police officers, firefighters, paramedics, or other emergency personnel. In some cases, all three will respond, like a serious traffic collision where people become trapped or injured.
If I Call 911, Do I Have to Pay?
Fortunately, no! 911 calls do not require you to pay money in the event of an emergency. A 911 call is free from any phone, including pay phones, landlines and cell phones. With this in mind, it is important to note that depending on who arrives at the scene, you may be charged. The 911 call alone, however, is free.
In the event of a fire department call, you may be charged a fire department fee. On top of this, you may be charged a separate ambulance service fee for transportation to a hospital. This differs from the 911 call itself, and you are billed after your ambulance trip. In some cases, your insurance may cover you for your bill from an ambulance. In Ontario, a resident with a valid health card must pay a $45 co-payment for an ambulance if the service is deemed necessary by a professional physician. If the patient does not have a valid Ontario health card or the ambulance ride was not deemed necessary, the cost is $240.
Are Ambulance Fees Covered by My Home Insurance Policy?
Unfortunately, your standard home insurance policy will not cover ambulance fees in Ontario. However, some policies may cover it under a specific coverage titled Voluntary Medical Payments, or VMP. This is an optional add-on that can cover medical expenses, including ambulance services. VMP also assists you in the event someone is accidentally injured on your property, even if you aren’t considered liable. If you’re unsure of your coverage, be sure to check with your isure broker.
Fire Department Fees In Canada
In most cases, Canadians contribute to fire services through property taxes. This model covers salaries, equipment maintenance, and operational costs for firefighters. However, this is not the only system.
As mentioned above, in some municipalities, residents pay additional fees for fire services in addition to their property taxes. These are known as fire department fees and occur particularly in rural or less populated regions. In many cases, these areas rely on volunteer-run fire departments and use a “fee-for-service” model to cover the costs associated with responding to emergencies. This can include charges for:
- The number of trucks and firefighters that are deployed to an emergency.
- The hours spent at the scene of a fire emergency.
- The specific equipment that is used in an emergency.
- The amount of water or foam concentrate that is applied.
Fire department fees are not paid upfront and, much like an ambulance ride, are billed afterwards when the service is complete. Once this occurs, you are responsible for paying.
What About False Alarms?
Yes, you can be charged for false 911 calls. However, the specific rules and fees will vary by municipality. For ambulances, as mentioned above, you may be charged $240 in the event a physician believes an ambulance was unnecessary. For Police and Fire, you will not be charged for false alarms.
However, it’s important to note that in Ontario, a false 911 call can lead to criminal charges. This typically falls under the public mischief section of the Criminal Code, which can result in a fine or imprisonment.
Does My Home Insurance Cover Fire Department Fees?
Suzanne Cardinal, the commercial lines manager at Ontario West Insurance Brokers, says home insurance will generally cover fire department fees.
“Virtually every insurance policy, whether it’s commercial or personal, has some provision for payment of fire department fees,” she tells Rates.ca.
Even if these payments aren’t paid up front, Cardinal adds your home insurance policy typically covers both the fire damage and the fire department fees. With this being said, coverage limits can vary and you should always verify the details with your provider.
How Much Do First Responders Cost Taxpayers?
Firefighter Costs in Ontario
Some people may not know it, but firefighting can cost a lot. This is why fire department fees exist. To put it into context, deployment fees alone can cost hundreds of dollars. On top of this, other firefighting expenses can escalate quickly.
In some areas in rural Ontario, fire departments are entirely volunteer-run. This is in contrast to the professional forces seen in major cities such as Toronto or Burlington.
Ambulatory Costs in Ontario
In Ontario, taxpayers fund ambulance services through a shared cost model. This means that both the provincial and municipal governments each cover a portion of the operating costs. In most cases, municipalities often bear more than 50% due to increasing costs. These can include fixing ambulances as well as purchasing new vehicles. As mentioned above, in addition to taxes, individual patients with a valid health card pay a co-payment, while others will face a full fee.
Police Force Costs in Ontario
For the police, taxpayers fund them through various means. Every year, the Canadian municipal, provincial and federal police forces cost about $16.5 billion. For specific sites such as Toronto, the police budget is a significant portion of the overall city budget, with the 2025 budget request being roughly $1.2 billion, funded by property taxes alone. To add to this, costs can be further influenced by factors such as salaries and benefits.
Do These Fees Affect My Home Insurance Rates?
In most cases, insurance companies will cover most fire departments. However, according to Cardinal, the process can still affect a person’s home insurance rates. Insurance companies may also charge higher premiums to recoup any losses.
“If you live in a municipality where those fees are charged, and insurance companies have to pay them out, that increases how much the insurance company is paying out every year,” she says.
In cases where the fire department is called to an incident with little damage, Cardinal says a municipality that collects a fire department fee might cost a client their claims-free home insurance discount. This is the case even if no damage has occurred.
Cardinal compares fire department fees to ambulance rides in the sense that they are paid after a call is complete. She says there isn’t much a consumer can do if they live in a municipality where a fire department fee model is in place. If you’re unsure as to whether or not you would have to pay a fire department fee, it is important to find out.
How To Stay Protected
Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make sure you stay protected and understand your risks:
- Review your policy documents: Look for a section in your policy that is titled “Additional Coverages” or “Extensions of Coverage.” This is where details in regards to fire department fees are usually placed on your documents.
- Take note of your coverage limit: Check the maximum amount your insurer will pay. Is it a set cost, such as $10,000?
- Contact your isure broker: Of course, the easiest way to get a clear answer is to simply ask! Contact your insurance representative and get informed on fire department fees and any coverage limits that may be in place.
At the end of the day, you can’t always control where you live. Additionally, you cannot control whether or not first responder fees exist in your area. However, being informed in regards to your coverage can provide peace of mind in the event the unthinkable happens. Remember, if you’d like to go over your home insurance policy or want to make changes, please contact us today.
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