The warnings on TV struck. The tornado swept over Philadelphia and large parts of the east coast of the United States. The Brekke family, who had rented a flat in the city, were in the middle of the inferno. It whips against the walls and ceiling. Strong wind, lightning, torrential rain and heavy hail. A window in the apartment was blown in. – We experienced the situation as very dramatic and it was far too cold to live in the flat after the window was destroyed, says Brekke about the trip to the USA at Easter this year. The solution was to temporarily move to a hotel for two days until they found a new flat. The tornado was so strong that the window blew in and was destroyed. Photo: Ole Anton Brekke Brekke has travel insurance through If, which uses European Travel Insurance. A company they themselves own. Brekke was sure that they would cover the extra bill of NOK 25,000. But the insurance company has rejected the claim. Claimed that the insurance was wrong – This is petty. We were exposed to a natural disaster and why should we take out travel insurance when this type of extra expenses are not covered, asks Brekke. The family rented an apartment via Airbnb. They tried to get hold of homeowners, without success. – Airbnb was no help either, he says. Two nights in a hotel and a new apartment for the last 24 hours in the USA led to extra expenses of NOK 25,000. This is what it looked like when the storm ravaged the home the Nordfjord family had rented in Philadelphia. The Brekke family have been periodically in the USA every year in recent years, where their son Arne Martin Brekke receives treatment using the doman method. The 28-year-old has cerebral palsy and is getting good help from the treatment. The Brekke family has been periodically in the USA every year in recent years, where their son Arne Martin Brekke receives treatment in connection with cerebral palsy. Photo: Bård Siem / news IF: – Not enough with warnings on TV The insurance company believes for its part that the damage to the apartment is a relationship between the home owner and Brekke. It is also pointed out that the coverage of expenses in connection with moving due to natural damage only becomes relevant when the governing authorities warn of extreme weather in advance. – In this case, there is a relationship between landlord and tenant, says Sigmund Clementz, head of communications at If and European Travel Insurance. He adds that Brekke can also make claims against the landlord’s insurance company. Travel insurance does not cover everything that happens on a trip, points out If Reiseforsikring’s head of communications, Sigmund Clementz. Photo: If – The Brekke family received several tornado warnings on TV and had to move from their flat due to natural damage. Is the insurance company not obliged to cover the extra expenses in connection with this? – It will only be covered if local authorities in the country you are in or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway give an order that the area must be evacuated, he says. – What about using discretion? – I would like to be able to make discretionary assessments that go far beyond the terms. But that will mean that insurance premiums will be much higher and many will not be able to afford it, he says. Clementz points out that a danger warning on TV, equivalent to a danger warning about extreme weather from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, is not enough to be covered by travel insurance. Ole Anton Brekke took a video recording of the news broadcast on TV where it was reported that the storm was about to calm down. The Consumer Council asks people to check the terms and conditions Director of the Consumer Council, Jorge Jensen, understands the family’s frustration. He encourages them to complain to the Financial Complaints Board if they feel they have been wronged. Every year, the tribunal receives many complaints from people who complain about travel insurance. At the same time, Jensen points out that it is very common for people who are traveling to think they are better insured than they really are. – Often the travelers only become aware of the terms of the insurance contract after the accident has occurred. We want to encourage people to familiarize themselves with this in advance, he says. Jensen also refers to the website Finansportalen.no. Here the Consumer Council monitors the market for you. You get help comparing and moving pension products, banking services, insurance and funds. Professional director of the Consumer Council, Jorge Jensen, says that many people have not looked into the conditions of the travel insurance before they set off on a trip. Photo: John Trygve Tollefsen They think they did everything they could In Stryn, Ole Anton Bakke has little understanding of the insurance company’s interpretation. – In the insurance conditions for natural damage, strong wind is one of the conditions for payment. You won’t get stronger winds than a tornado, says Brekke. If If believes that it is the homeowner’s insurance company that should cover this, according to Brekke, it is If’s duty to cover its policyholders, and then go to the other party with a recourse claim. – I am very disappointed. Who had to come up with the tornado warning for them to accept it. The president? – But could you have done anything differently to avoid getting into an argument with the insurance company? – If we had access to travel, we might have been able to get the window repaired. But we didn’t have that. The situation was chaotic and I don’t see how we could act otherwise, says Bakke, who has decided to terminate the agreement with If Reiseforsikring. Airbnb wrote in an email to news that they are asking the Brekke family to get in touch again, in the hope that they can help. The Brekke family lived on the top floor of this building when they were on holiday in Philadelphia in the USA at Easter. Photo: Ole Anton Brekke
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Arguing with insurance company about moving costs after USA tornado – news Vestland
