Record damage from storms: One federal state most affected

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Lerato Khumalo

Heavy storms, hail and flooding can cause major damage to houses. What is the situation for the past year in the individual federal states?

Damage caused by natural disasters such as storms, hail and heavy rain caused insured losses of 5.7 billion euros in Germany last year. This represents an increase of 1.7 billion euros compared to 2022, as Jörg Asmussen, CEO of the German Insurance Association (GDV), announced in Berlin on Monday. Particularly severe and costly hail damage to vehicles is responsible for this increase. However, the association recorded the highest claims expenses to date in 2021 at 13.9 billion euros.

In an initial estimate at the end of last year, insurers had assumed a lower value. The statistics have been kept since the early 1970s.

According to the information, the storms last August alone caused a good quarter of the total damage in 2023, at 1.5 billion euros. There was also high damage from storms in June. In contrast, severe storms were largely absent in autumn and winter.

Most of the insured losses occurred in Bavaria – more than two billion euros were registered. Hesse came second in the statistics with 890 million euros. “The Alpine region and the Hessian low mountain ranges of Taunus and Odenwald were particularly frequently affected by hail,” said Asmussen, according to the statement.

The association also recorded an increase in motor vehicle insurance: the average insured loss due to damage caused by storms and hail was 4,100 euros. This is the third highest value after 1984 (4,700 euros) and 2021 (4,300 euros). “The reason for the high costs is the increased price of spare parts and the high workshop wages,” the association said.

In recent months, storms have repeatedly caused considerable damage in Germany. However, this amount was not included in the report now presented. According to meteorologists, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis.

In response to the forces of nature, politicians have recently again called for the introduction of compulsory insurance for natural hazards. The state premiers want to discuss this with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) next month. Asmussen said: “Compulsory insurance as the only means helps no one – neither homeowners nor states and municipalities.”

The focus in protection against natural hazards must be on adaptation to the effects of climate change, demanded the CEO. “We need adaptation to climate change to be anchored in building regulations, less surface sealing and building bans in flood areas.”

According to the association, on average 54 percent of all residential buildings nationwide are insured against all natural hazards – and not just against individual weather phenomena such as storms and hail. The so-called insurance density rose by two percentage points nationwide last year.