Heavy rain and hail in June: Storms cause billions in damage


Heavy rain and hail in June
Storms cause billions in damage

The storms of the past few days are now also costing insurers dearly. Car insurance companies in particular are affected. In the eyes of an expert, there is a connection between storm damage and climate change.

According to experts, the severe storms in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the past ten days will cost insurers more than 2.5 billion euros. The storm and hail damage caused by the low pressure areas “Volker” and “Wolfgang” alone would have caused more than two billion euros insured damage in the German-speaking area, said actuary Onnen Siems, managing director of the consulting company Meyerthole Siems Kohlruss (MSK).

“More than half of the damage occurred in Germany, mainly in the auto comprehensive insurance division.” The low “Xero” caused hail damage mainly in Switzerland, while floods occurred in southern Germany. Siems estimates the damage from this at half a billion euros.

For comparison: According to data from the industry association GDV, insurers in Germany had to pay 1.95 billion euros for the consequences of natural hazards such as storms, hail and floods throughout 2020.

Siems brings the accumulation of storms in connection with climate change. June was – after 2003 and 2019 – the third warmest since weather records began in 1881. On average, it is 2.6 degrees warmer than the average for the past 30 years. The warm, humid air discharged in thunderstorms with lightning, heavy rain, storms and hail. “There is a connection between insurance claims and climate change,” said the expert.

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