Trouble with insurance: Flood victims fight for compensation and repairs

Trouble with insurance: Flood victims fight for compensation and repairs

Susanne Blatzer and her family live in Swisttal-Odendorf in a house with a garden. Two years ago they were affected by a flood disaster in which their garden, cellar and the mezzanine of the house were damaged. In the midst of this tragedy, all they were left with was a life-sized elephant figurine in front of the house. For her, this figure symbolizes strength and steadfastness. Since the flood, however, the family has been fighting with their insurance to cover repairs and bills. They had to pre-finance a lot of the work at their own expense and are still waiting for approval from the insurance company. Despite having taken out natural hazard insurance, the Blatzers have so far only received reimbursement for part of the damage. The trouble with the insurance is a burden on the family and has cost them a lot of energy.

A problem also arises from the conversion of a former garage into an office during the reconstruction work. The insurance company justifies the reduction in the damage amount by saying that the costs of restoring the building due to the upgrading of the former garage as living space are higher than the damage determined.

This situation is typical for many flood victims in Swisttal and shows the difficulties in dealing with insurance in the event of natural disasters. The high financial burden caused by the flood damage and the inadequate compensation payments can have long-term effects on the market, consumers and the affected industry. Many homeowners could find themselves in financial distress due to the high cost of repairs and renovation work and be forced to sell their properties. This could lead to an increase in property supply in the area, which in turn could lead to a drop in prices.

In addition, the Blatzers' case could also affect consumers' trust in insurance companies and their services. If customers have such experiences, they may be hesitant to purchase insurance or increase coverage for natural disasters in the future. This could lead to fewer homeowners taking out natural hazard insurance, which in the long term could lead to higher financial burdens for those affected in the event of a natural disaster.

The Blatzers' case also highlights the importance of more transparent and customer-focused claims settlement by insurance companies. It is important that insurance companies understand and respond appropriately to customers' needs and financial challenges during such difficult times. A dialogue between the insurance company and the policyholder as well as a fair and timely settlement of the claim are necessary to avoid such conflicts.

According to a report by www1.wdr.de