More than average claims in 2022 for gardening insurance

Gartenbau-Versicherung draws up a claims balance for the year 2022: the second year in a row with a clearly above-average claims year. Over 50 million euros were given to the members of the insurerungsverein paid out or are – to a small extent – ​​still available. Because the lack of materials and craftsmen is still causing delays in many places. The claims ratio in direct business was 69%. Every fifth member company reported damage in 2022.

Storm damage in Italy Photo © Gartenbau-Versicherung

In fact, more money was paid out for storm damage than the members had paid in for this risk. The storm trio Ylenia, Zeynep and Antonia alone, which swept across Germany, France and the Netherlands for several days in February 2022, caused almost 1,000 damages totaling 11.2 million euros. Another regional focus was the Italian west coast, which was repeatedly hit by severe storms and even tornadoes in the summer. Here, too, the claims payments were in the millions – EUR 4.7 million were due for the largest single event alone in mid-August 2022.

After storms, hail was the second leading cause of damage in 2022. In France in particular, many panes were broken, for example around the densely populated horticultural center in Orléans. In June alone, 7 million euros were incurred for hail damage in France, almost 5 million euros of which was due to the event near Orléans.

But not only natural events ensured high payouts. In Germany, most damage in 2022 was caused by technical failure or quarantine pathogens. The Jordan virus ToBRFV hit several German tomato farms with damage in the six-digit range.

Hail in France near Orléans. Photo © orleans-drone.com

In view of the last two claims years, CEO Christian Senft positively emphasizes the successful internationalization of the specialist insurer: “The last two years have shown again how important it is for our members to have a broad regional spread. This is the only way we can offer affordable and good protection in the face of climate change.” The first members in Poland concluded contracts in 2022, which means that Gartenbau-Versicherung is now active in 8 countries.

Due to the strong growth abroad, Gartenbau-Versicherung was able to further expand its qualified teams for claims processing outside of Germany in 2022. “Damage in Alsace is processed just as quickly and professionally as in neighboring Baden,” emphasizes Senft. “Because our high standards of our service apply everywhere, and we help every member in an emergency quickly, competently and personally. According to the feedback we received, this worked extremely well again in 2022.”

At the same time, this claim is also the guiding principle of a digitization project that will start this year, explains Senft. Because the claims process is to be reformed in order to at least ensure the very high level of satisfaction among members in the future and at the same time become even more efficient internally. “Our first goal is to become even faster and better for our members. Even in the event of extreme events, which are becoming more likely as a result of climate change. In addition, our teams at headquarters and on site should have more time to use their human qualities in advising and personally supporting our members. We are setting the course for this this year,” concludes Senft.

Source: Horticultural Insurance

Release date: 03/27/2023