One year ago, Belgium and other parts of Europe were hit by a succession of storms, notably Eunice and Franklin. These led to insurers handling a record number of claims last year.
Trains and aeroplanes were disrupted, schools were closed and severe damage was caused to streets and buildings. While Eunice brought heavy winds – speeds of 133 km/h were measured by the coast – but fairly sunny weather, Franklin, which followed several days later, brought intense and long periods of rain.
Now just over a year since the storms, Assuralia (the association of insurance companies operating in the Belgian market) announced that storms Eunice and Franklin caused €573 million in insured damages; Belgium was among the worst affected areas in Europe.
Around 208,000 customers reported damage to their homes or vehicles, with the average claim amounting to €2,752.
Record claims
As a result, storm-related claims hit record-high levels last year. "Never before have storms caused so many claims, 257,319 claims were made last year for a total claim burden of €725.6 million," the association noted on Thursday.
"However, the 2014 'Pentecost storms' remain the most costly storms, with €654 million paid out in compensation, spread over 179,000 files."
Accounting for all natural disasters, 2021 broke all records as a result of the deadly floods that ravaged the country in July: "With the floods of 2021, our country faced the biggest natural disaster ever. Insurers paid out more than €2 billion in damages."
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Assuralia noted that in recent years the effects of an increased frequency and intensity of storms and floods are being felt by insurers.
"The sector urges coordinated and integrated prevention actions for all regions and a clear legal framework within which it can operate in collaboration with the authorities after a severe natural disaster."
