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Anyone who has suffered flood damage to their house can be happy if they are properly insured. © picture alliance/dpa | Karl-Josef Hildenbrand
Storms, hail, floods – natural forces can cause immense damage. But which insurance offers the best protection?
Munich – Cities affected by flood disasters in Saxony, Poland and the Czech Republic are facing major challenges, and the number of deaths is rising. In Austria, dozens of communities are cut off from the outside world. Amid the masses of water that are flooding basements, the people affected are desperately wondering who will pay for the damage caused. Not all insurance policies cover damage caused by storms or floods. Therefore, choosing the right insurance is crucial.
Experts recommend special insurance for flood damage
Experts at Test.de advise everyone to first take out private liability insurance. If, for example, roof tiles fall during a storm and injure a passer-by, the compensation claims can quickly reach astronomical levels. However, private liability insurance does not cover damage caused to your own home by storms or bad weather.
Building insurance does not cover flood damage
According to Test.de, building insurance is required for this. This offers “classic triple protection” for damage caused by fire, storms and hail as well as tap water (burst pipes, frost, moisture damage). However, flood damage is not included. In order to cover such damage, homeowners must also insure themselves against “elemental damage or natural hazards”. According to Test.de, this is highly recommended. Such elemental damage insurance can be added to building or home contents insurance.
What damages are covered by insurance against elemental damage or natural hazards
- flooding
- Backlog
- earthquake
- Subsidence
- landslide
- Snow pressure
- Avalanches
- Volcanic eruption
Insurance coverage against elemental damage or natural hazards
Die Consumer Center informed that only about 54 percent of all private homes in Germany are insured against damage caused by natural hazards such as flooding. This is despite the fact that damage caused by heavy rain can affect anyone. If you want to know whether your house is in a flood risk area, you can carry out a free online check.
Despite the current flood crisis, not everyone seems to be desperate: a group of young men in Austria toast each other with beer in the floodwaters. (BeBau)
