June 3, 2024, 11:29 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Due to ongoing rainfall, many areas in southern Germany are currently experiencing flooding. Basements in numerous homes are filling up. Which insurance covers damages in such cases?
In many cases, the sewer system is not designed to handle massive amounts of water. This can happen when it rains heavily and for a long time–as is currently the case in southern Germany. Water always finds its way. Unfortunately, this can mean into the basement of a residential building. The resulting damage can be costly. To avoid bearing the costs if the basement floods, one should protect themselves with appropriate insurance.
Overview
Basement Flooded–Which Insurance Applies?
It is often the basement that quickly floods after heavy downpours. What about insurance then? “Neither standard household nor homeowners insurance covers damage from floods, sudden storms, and heavy rain,” explains Julia Alicia Böhne from the German Insurance Association (BdV).
This means there is no coverage for what is typically stored in the basement: heating and electrical systems, oil tanks, freezers, washing machines, old furniture, beverages, and tools, up to expensive e-bikes. On average, items worth around 15,400 euros are stored in the basement, according to calculations by the German Insurance Association (GDV).
Homeowners usually have to replace the destroyed items out of their own pocket. This can be costly, especially since often not only the inventory is affected, but also the house itself. This results in expensive renovation work.
Related: Basement Flooded? When to Call the Fire Department
Natural Disaster Insurance for Flooding
If you don’t want to pay for this yourself, you should consider a natural disaster insurance in advance. “This is available as an add-on to homeowners or household insurance,” says Böhne. The policy covers natural hazards such as heavy rain, flooding, snow avalanches, and earthquakes, as well as backwater. This occurs when water enters the building through the sewer system.
The natural disaster insurance covers costs up to the reconstruction of a house and includes expenses for alternative accommodation and potential rental losses. If a house is located near a flowing body of water, this should definitely be stated when signing the contract. The risks of hail, storm, and fire are covered by the standard building insurance.
Related: How to Protect Your House from Heavy Rain
The Danger of Heavy Rain is Often Underestimated
Although heavy rain and flooding can be expected almost everywhere, homeowners underestimate the risk, according to the GDV. Only six percent are aware of it, the association found based on a survey.
Structural Measures Can Help
The Association of Private Builders (VPB) recommends considering protection against water masses during the construction of a house. The building should be designed so that water runs away from the house, and basement windows do not drain towards the basement. This can directly prevent a flooded basement, and insurance may not even need to apply.
Ellinger considers a backwater valve a must. It prevents water from the sewer system from flowing back into the house. Either the light wells or the basement windows should be designed to be watertight against pressure water or rising seepage water.
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Document Maintenance
If a basement is still flooded, the natural disaster insurance applies. However, the homeowner must regularly operate and maintain the backwater valve. “They all forget that,” Ellinger knows from experience. Maintenance must be documented, so it’s best to keep the receipt.
Natural Disaster Insurances Are Becoming Increasingly Important
“Looking at the current situation in southern Germany, including in my hometown, one quickly becomes aware of the extent of flash floods. Those who have taken out natural disaster insurance are fortunate. It is an insurance that will likely be taken out more frequently in the future, considering the flood developments of recent years.”