'We thought we were covered': B.C. flood victim says insurance paid $30K after home destroyed

A survivor of B.C.'s catastrophic floods last year is warning others to check their insurance policies, saying she received a payout of only $30,000 after her home was destroyed.

Pam Velt, whose house collapsed into the Nicola River last November, said she and her husband, Paulus, believed they were fully insured.

"We thought we were covered," she said. "I just finally have kind of realized that we have no home left. And everything we've worked our butts off for is gone."

The Velts had just begun their retirement on the rural property along Highway 8 west of Merritt, B.C., and were planning to leave it to their son, who also lived with them. They are now billeting in a 12-foot trailer with support from the Canadian Red Cross.

Despite paying extra for overland flood insurance, which covers damage from heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers, Velt said they were shocked at the payout amount and are disputing it.