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Storm alarm: How to protect your car from expensive storm damage!
Find out about car insurance in the event of storm damage: who pays, how do you document damage and what precautions are important?
Storm alarm: How to protect your car from expensive storm damage!
The increasing frequency of severe weather in Germany is leading to ever greater damage, affecting not only private households but also vehicle owners. In 2024, the insured damage from heavy rain, floods, storms and hail will amount to a total of 5.7 billion euros, reports the GDV. The federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria were particularly affected, with a combined total of around 1.6 billion euros in flood damage. These numbers underscore the urgency of protecting yourself from such natural events and the need for adequate insurance.
Motor vehicle insurance recorded damages of around 1.3 billion euros in 2024. This corresponds to the long-term average. However, experts warn that the level of damage will continue to rise due to climatic changes and the associated extreme weather events. To counter this trend, drivers should take appropriate precautions.
Precautions for drivers
Drivers are advised to watch out for unforeseen obstacles such as flying objects, particularly on bridges and at tunnel exits. It is advisable to slow down, turn on the lights and increase the safety distance when there are bad weather conditions. Flooded roads should be avoided at all costs to prevent possible engine damage. Storm warnings should be taken seriously and, if in doubt, you should avoid driving.
Documentation of damage
In the event of storm damage, prompt and comprehensive documentation is essential. The damage should be photographed immediately and witness statements collected. In addition, those affected should inform the vehicle insurance company as quickly as possible, ideally within seven days. During heavy rain and other natural events, there is an increased risk of accidents due to poor visibility and aquaplaning, which can also affect insurance benefits.
In the event of flood damage, partial insurance covers insurance costs for parked cars. However, if a driver drives into a flooded street, comprehensive insurance applies. The regulations are also clear in the event of falling bricks or branches: partial insurance covers damage from force eight winds, while fully comprehensive insurance kicks in in the event of a crash with fallen trees if the driver reacted too late.
Dangers of heavy rain and flooding
Heavy rain events are particularly dangerous; according to GDV, the insured damage in 2024 amounted to more than 2.6 billion euros. This sum is around one billion euros above the long-term average. In addition, it was found that the share of heavy rain and flood damage in total damage increased significantly in 2024.
| Federal State | Damage (in millions of euros) |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 530 |
| Bavaria | 281 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 142 |
The dangers of flooding are particularly pronounced, not only for conventional vehicles, but also for electric cars. In the event of flooding, there is a risk of short circuits or high-voltage accidents. Here it is important not to start, move or charge the vehicle and to order a qualified inspection.
Given the increasing number and severity of damaging events, insurers are calling for increased prevention and comprehensive protection. The aim is to create an overall natural hazards concept that combines insurance, preventive measures and government cooperation to protect against extreme risks in order to minimize risks and keep insurance coverage affordable.
Overall, Germany is faced with the challenge of countering increasing natural hazards with effective insurance protection and professional precautions. Only through comprehensive measures can the financial burdens of those affected be better addressed in the future.