Which insurance policies pay for floods, hail and glass breakage? A financial expert provides an overview

Which insurance policies pay for floods, hail and glass breakage? A financial expert provides an overview

According to a report by www.hna.de,
After the storm in Kassel, many people are asking themselves the question: Which insurance companies pay for floods, hail and broken glass? An overview.

The storm on Thursday (June 22nd) in Kassel caused enormous damage. But which insurance company pays when water runs into the house, hail dents cars and windows break? What needs to be considered now. An overview.

Storm damage in Kassel: What homeowners insurance covers
Homeowners insurance covers roofs damaged by a storm, windows smashed by hail or a fire caused by a lightning strike. Depending on the policy, it also pays for outbuildings, such as sheds or garages. However, most insurers only recognize storm damage from wind force eight. The insured person does not have to prove how strong the wind was.

Homeowners insurance only pays for water damage if it is caused by pipe leaks, regardless of whether it is the sewer pipe, the heater or the washing machine hose. However, if water gets into the house from the flooded street or through the backwater from the canal, this policy will not save you anything. Then only natural hazard insurance can help.

Storm damage in Kassel: many people's home furnishings ruined
Household contents insurance comes into play when furniture, broken electrical appliances and other movable property are ruined. The new price will be replaced - so invoices for more valuable pieces should be kept. But “building insurance and household contents insurance only cover weather-related storm and hail damage,” explains the Association of Insured Persons.

If rainwater runs into the house because the storm destroys the roof, the household contents insurance will pay. In the event of floods or backwaters, however, it waves away. Natural hazard insurance is also necessary here. Anyone who forgets to close the window or balcony door when it rains will also come away empty-handed.

Storm damage in Kassel: Hail damage to the car – What does the insurance pay?
If your car is damaged by hail, your vehicle comprehensive insurance will pay for it. The dents are usually repaired - and this can cost several hundred euros. Because the workshop first has to get to the battered body parts. This is easiest if there is damage to the hood, says José Alonso, head of the Vehicle Technical Center of the Kassel Motor Vehicle Guild.

It becomes more difficult if, for example, the roof lining has to be removed. Repairing a car roof with ten dents could cost around 600 euros. ADAC car insurance quoted an average sum of 3,000 euros for repairing hail damage in 2021. Insured people can also have the money paid out for the repair. The costs are determined by an expert appointed by the insurance company.

If the repair costs exceed the current value of the car, insurers speak of a total loss: they deduct the residual value of the demolished car from the replacement value and reimburse this difference. But it is also possible to have only parts of the damage repaired, says Alonso. Important: Some insurance policies stipulate a workshop commitment.

Storm damage in Kassel: This applies to fallen trees
If the storm uproots a tree in the garden, the owner is not always liable for damage that occurs on neighboring property or to cars. However, the prerequisite is that the tree was robust enough to withstand the normal forces of nature.

If this is the case, the injured party's insurance company has to step in. Anyone who has a tree must therefore check its condition regularly, otherwise they can be held liable.

Storms in Kassel: Report any damage to your insurance company quickly
Anyone who has damage should first reduce it if possible - for example by temporarily sealing a broken roof. The consumer advice center advises reporting damage to the insurance company as quickly as possible and asking how to proceed.

"For example, the insurer will say whether you should hire a tradesman straight away or whether they want to send someone over first. You should definitely get the insurer's statements in writing." The damage should be recorded in detail and broken items should not be disposed of for the time being.

The recent storm damage in Kassel has had a massive financial impact on the insurance industry, particularly on residential building insurance, household contents insurance and vehicle comprehensive insurance. Many insurance companies have to pay large sums of insurance compensation, which could lead to a change in premiums and coverage amounts. Consumers face the challenge of choosing the right insurance coverage to be adequately protected in the event of future severe weather events. The need for natural hazard insurance is particularly emphasized to provide protection against floods and other weather-related events.