A lot of snow has fallen in many parts of Germany in the last few days. The white roofs of the houses look simply wonderful in the morning sun. But the accumulated masses of snow pose considerable dangers: be it from snow avalanches that hit people or the strain that roofs can no longer withstand. But which ones? Insurance comes for Damage through Snow on? Here is an overview.
Which insurance company pays for damage caused by snow?
Especially now that the snow is gradually starting to thaw, there is a high probability that masses of snow could fall from the roof onto the sidewalk. In the worst case, they hit a passer-by. For this worst-case scenario, owners of apartment buildings should have home and landowner liability insurance, warns Andreas Gernt, insurance expert at the Lower Saxony Consumer Center. “This means you are always on the safer side.”
For single-family homes, the owner’s private liability insurance is usually sufficient if he or she lives in the house himself. This usually protects him/her from possible claims for damages from other people, even if, for example, a passer-by slips on the sidewalk due to slippery conditions.
Watch out: In order for the insurance coverage to actually take effect, owners must clear snow from sidewalks, driveways and property areas during the day and sprinkle it when it is icy. However, this obligation can be transferred to others, for example tenants or service providers. But even then, the responsibility for regular checks still lies with the actual owner.
Who pays for damage to the car
If a car is damaged by a falling snow avalanche, those affected should contact their fully comprehensive vehicle insurance company. But this does not cover the damage. Under certain circumstances, you can also claim damages from the homeowner if they have neglected duties, such as ignoring regional snow guards or failing to react to dangers.
In such cases, private liability or liability for house and landowners check the existence of a claim and can cover the resulting damage if necessary, explained Gernt.
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Building damage caused by snow
The snow load on the roof can cause damage to the building. But homeowners insurance does not automatically kick in, warns insurance expert Gernt. Additional natural hazard coverage is necessary for this, he emphasizes. Homeowners insurance only protects against basic risks such as fire, lightning, storm and hail damage. Therefore, special insurance is required for damage caused by snow loads.
2024-01-16 16:56:35
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