Weather conditions and their influence on the environment. - Insurance companies report higher storm damage in Hesse during 2023.
Last year in Hessen, the damages from storms, hail, floods, and heavy rain were much higher compared to the previous year. The GDV in Berlin reported that the total amount of damages due to weather-related issues reached around 900 million euros, while in 2022 it was just 130 million euros.
Of this, around 520 million euros were for property insurers covering damages to houses, household items, commercial and industrial facilities, and approximately 370 million euros for motor vehicle insurers.
The data provided by GDV shows that out of 1,000 home insurance policies in Hessen, 24.3 were affected by storm and hail damage. This places Hessen in the third spot on a nationwide scale when it comes to natural disasters. Across Germany, the average number of claims for storm and hail damage stands at 18.5. The region with the most damages was Schleswig-Holstein, with 31 reports.
Although almost every house in Hessen is insured against storm and hail, only half of them have protection against risks such as heavy rain and floods. This correlates with the average in Germany. The association pointed out that many homeowners are unaware of their specific vulnerability to natural hazards.
Read also:
- Tough return to normality in snow and ice
- Fewer unauthorized entries: Domino effect through controls
- Trial against BND employee from mid-December
- Xhaka leads Leverkusen to triumph in cup tournament, scoring two goals.
- The General Association of the German Insurance Industry in Berlin noted the significant impact of climate change on insurance claims, especially in regions like Hesse, where storm damage reached a record GDV of 900 million euros in 2023.
- Frankfurt am Main, the financial hub of Germany, might need to consider strengthening its infrastructure and urban planning to mitigate the rising costs associated with weather-related damage, considering Hesse's third-place rank in natural disaster claims.
- Environmental factors, such as increased precipitation and severe weather events, are contributing to higher claims for storm damage, flooding, and hail, as evidenced by the marked increase in insurance payouts in Hesse.
- With only half of homes in Hesse protected against flood risks, insurance companies warn that the region might face significant economic consequences in the event of future extreme weather events, emphasizing the necessity for proactive environmental preservation efforts.
- The German government and environmental organizations should collaborate to educate homeowners on the risks their properties face from weather events, empowering them to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage and adaptation strategies.
- As storms, hail, flooding, and heavy rain become more frequent due to climate change, the German insurance industry calls for comprehensive risk assessments and adaptation policies to manage the escalating costs of weather-related damage and protect communities across the country.
Source: www.stern.de
