Almost NOK 3.5 billion has been paid out as a result of natural damage as of November 2023. This is shown by figures from the Norwegian Natural Damage Pool. In 2022, the figure was around NOK 810 million. 2023 will therefore be the most expensive year since the natural damage insurance scheme was established in 1980. Natural damage is damage to buildings or contents that is directly caused by landslides, storms, floods, storm surges, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves or meteorite impacts. So no damage as a result of, for example, torrential rain. The extreme weather “Hans”, which hit large parts of Eastern Norway in August, and a landslide in Halden are among the events that have contributed to the record. The storm, which was named “Pia” in other countries, caused more destruction before Christmas. Here from Haugesund. Photo: Simon Elias Bogen Norwegian Nature Damage Pool Buildings and contents that are insured against fire damage through house and contents insurance are automatically also insured against natural damage. This follows from the Natural Damage Insurance Act. In the event of damage, customers contact their own insurance company. Natural damage means damage that is directly caused by a natural disaster, such as landslides, storms, floods, storm surges, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves and meteorite impacts. All insurance companies that offer fire insurance in Norway are members of the Norwegian Natural Damage Pool. The figures cover claims up to and including 30 November. But December has also been characterized by storms such as “Pia” and “Gerrit”, which, among other things, damaged roofs, gardens and cars. Insurance gets more expensive This year, Norsk Naturskadepool has paid out almost twice as much as they received, and currently has a deficit of around NOK 2.1 billion. That means more expensive insurance. Buildings and contents that are insured against fire damage through house and contents insurance are automatically also insured against natural damage. This year, the price of this insurance is 0.065 per thousand of the sum insured on the home. In 2024, it will be increased to 0.07 per thousand. One expects more damage reports as a result of the weather. – If the normal stays as it has been this year, the deductible will be significantly higher, says Ståle Solem Ingebrigtsen, general manager of Norwegian Natural Damage Pool. The claims have been in a queue this autumn, he says. What is a natural disaster? If you have building and contents insurance in Norway, natural damage is included through the Norwegian natural damage pool as a legally required insurance. Natural damage is considered: Storm, i.e. wind strength stronger than 20.8 m/sec (small storm). Landslides, i.e. erosion of rock, soil, clay, snow and more. Flood, i.e. streams, rivers, lakes (watercourses) that overflow their banks. Storm tides, i.e. floods that occur in combination between tides, low pressure and strong winds. Earthquakes, i.e. movements in the earth’s crust. Tidal wave, i.e. a particularly large wave that occurs as a direct result of geological events, e.g. earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions. Another word for tidal wave is tsunami. Meteorite impacts, i.e. objects from space – meteoroids – which survive the passage through the atmosphere and which fall to the earth’s surface. Volcanic eruption, i.e. flow of volcanic material. All insurance companies that sell fire insurance are members of the Norwegian Natural Disaster Pool and in the event of a natural disaster, each company covers its share of the damage in relation to the market share it has. Source: Finans Norge Climate change is to blame Elin Lundstad is a climate researcher at the Meteorological Institute. She believes there is little doubt: Climate change is to blame for this year’s record. – I am not surprised at all. Elin Lundstad is a climate researcher at the Meteorological Institute. She asks people to be careful. Photo: PRIVAT Lundstad says we can expect increased rainfall, more downpours and more floods in the coming time. – We are not spoiled by the weather in Norway in the first place. So some of the weather is just weather, but the really large amounts of rainfall, and extreme weather, are something else. Extreme weather since 2017 “Hans” – 9 August 2023 “Gyda” – 12-13 January 2022 “Frank” – 21.-22. January 2021 “Elsa” – 10 February 2020 “Didrik” – 15 January 2020 “Knud” – 21-22 September 2018 “Cora” – 14 January 2018 “Birk” – 22-23 December 2017 “Aina” – 07-08 December 2017 “Ylva” – 21.-22. November 2017 “Vidar” – 12 January 2017 When the Meteorological Institute warns of extreme weather with a name, the purpose of the naming is to facilitate communication between the authorities, the general public, the media and meteorologists, so that misunderstandings do not arise. It must always be clear which weather event is being talked about. The list of names is made in advance, and the names are used continuously to identify the various extreme weather events. The list consists of boys’ and girls’ names, alternately, in alphabetical order. The criterion for being able to call a weather situation extreme weather is strict with a warning meteorologist: The weather must very likely cause very large damages or extraordinary danger to life and property in a land area of significant size. Source: Meteorological Institute Lundstad’s recommendation for the time to come is: Follow along. – Listen to the notifications. The notice says stay inside, then stay inside. The extreme weather “Hans” was very well forewarned. When such things are reported, collect the caravan and secure it before it disappears. Be careful and prevent. 800 per cent increase from 2015 – Through 2023, the number of claims with our customers has generally increased by around 14 per cent from last year. Much of this is due to natural damage and extreme weather, in addition to an increased number of travel and car damage, says Kristin Vetleseter, communications director at Fremtind. Natural and weather events, and damage from water intrusion into private homes and buildings are the fastest growing cause of damage, she explains. Kristin Vetleseter, communications director at Fremtind. Photo: Fremtind Throughout the autumn, they have experienced a large influx of customers who have had water damage to their homes and buildings. – In Fremtind alone, payouts for such damages have increased by 800 per cent since 2015. These events are therefore becoming increasingly important when we have to assess risk, for building insurance in particular. Calls for better prevention She says that the occasional stormy weekend is normal for the time of year, but that this year it has almost been a weekly phenomenon. – Also in recent weeks, many customers have been affected by water ingress through leaks in buildings as a result of rainfall, including from the storm “Pia” just before Christmas, she says. Drone images from Nesbyen showing the flooding during the extreme weather “Hans” in August this year. Photo: Thomas Mørch Vetleseter calls for progress in prevention work at national level. – Climate adaptation and prevention are necessary so that we can continue to insure buildings and homes across the country in the years to come, and at a price that people can afford. The overall responsibility lies with the national authorities, while the municipalities have a special responsibility.
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Extreme weather in 2023 has led to record payments of insurance money – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
