HOME INSURANCE LIKELY TO GO UP

Marijuana grow operations run by organized crime groups are going to
drive up your home-insurance rates.

"If this trend continues and the claims soar there will be rate
changes," said Lindsey Olson, vice-president of the Insurance Bureau
of Canada.

"It's the worst in B.C.," she said, noting the soaring numbers of
claims by landlords who have had their homes trashed by grow operations.

Olson said the bureau does not have hard numbers yet but the increase
in the number of claims due to marijuana grow-op damage is on the rise.

Various options include modifying policies on rental properties to
make landlords do more checks.

"We are frustrated by the Residential Tenancy Act, which limits what
the landlord can do... we will probably be seeking legislative
changes," she said.

It is estimated that insurance companies pay out an average of $8,000
per home in damages after a grow operation is taken down. But some
policies do not cover the damage.

Police say 99 per cent of all grow operations are found in rental
properties.

One option being looked at by insurance underwriters is to eliminate
claims for vandalism by tenants.