Danger of severe weather: Which insurance properly protects your property?

Danger of severe weather: Which insurance properly protects your property?

For many citizens, storms not only pose a threat to their own health, but can also cause massive damage to property. Those affected should know exactly which insurance covers which type of damage so that they can make claims in a timely manner in an emergency. [Süddeutsche] reports that it is particularly important to inform insurance companies immediately about damage.

If storm damage occurs to the house, homeowners insurance covers damage to the roof, windows or basement. This insurance kicks in if, for example, fallen trees or other wind damage occurs. Consequential damage such as damp walls or floors are also usually insured. A wind force of at least 8 (from 62 km/h) is used as a benchmark. If the exact wind strength cannot be determined, storm damage can still be assumed if similar damage can be found in the area, as [Consumer Center] explains.

Rain and flood damage

Household contents insurance covers damage caused by rain. This applies to furniture, furnishings and clothing that have been affected by moisture. However, insured parties must also take measures to reduce damage, such as sealing windows. For flood damage, consumers often need an additional element for natural damage in their home insurance. The insurance only covers this if the water gets into the house through overflowing water, weather precipitation or groundwater. Damage caused by groundwater or precipitation penetrating from below is usually not insured.

• Sturmschäden am Haus: Wohngebäudeversicherung deckt Schäden ab.
• Eindringender Regen: Hausratversicherung kommt für Möbel- und Kleidungsschäden auf.
• Hochwasserschäden: Zusatzbaustein für Elementarschäden erforderlich.

Partial or fully comprehensive car insurance covers damage caused by falling roof tiles or trees. In the event of a storm that knocks down trees, partially comprehensive insurance is responsible, while fully comprehensive insurance applies if a vehicle collides with a tree. The owner is liable for rotten trees, otherwise the fall of healthy trees is considered “force majeure”.

Liability and health protection

Private liability insurance will cover injuries or damage caused by flying inventory if the furniture was not adequately secured. Otherwise, in such cases, the homeowners insurance and health insurance of the injured party are responsible. Health insurance, on the other hand, covers injuries caused by falling objects. If permanent damage occurs, private accident insurance will also apply, if available.

It is crucial that all damage is reported to the relevant insurance companies immediately so as not to jeopardize claims for benefits. Make sure that your policies include all the necessary protection measures against natural damage, such as floods or hail, in order to be optimally protected in the event of damage. Ultimately, a precise understanding of the types of insurance and their benefits helps you to be better prepared and avoid possible financial losses in the event of a claim.

In summary, severe weather can present a variety of challenges and having the right insurance makes all the difference. The exact contract conditions and the availability of additional modules should therefore be checked regularly in order to optimally coordinate the insurance cover.

For more information on this topic you can visit [Süddeutsche] and [Consumer Center].