Swiss insurers face millions in claims after Friday storms

Swiss insurers are dealing with an unusually large number of claims after Friday’s storms brought strong winds, heavy rain and hail across the country, SRF reported. The damage is expected to total millions of Swiss francs, although experts say the rising costs are not the result of more frequent severe storms.

Storms damaged numerous homes and cars, particularly in northeastern Switzerland. Residents reported long waits for their vehicles to be assessed. One man from the Bülach region said his insurer told him he was 200th in line, while a woman from Winterthur was given an appointment to inspect her car in November.

Several insurers confirmed to SRF that they had been overwhelmed by claims. AXA said the scale was exceptional, with many damages reported within a short period. Zurich received around ten times more online reports than on a normal day last Friday.

Allianz expects more than 10,000 claims, while Mobiliar estimates the damage will amount to a high double-digit million-franc sum. Mobiliar said the storm was unusual because it extended from Lake Geneva to Lake Constance, brought hailstones that were sometimes the size of tennis balls and occurred early in the day.

Insurers are organising drive-in assessment centres to reduce waiting times. AXA will open centres in Hinwil from September 1, in the Olten region from September 9, in the Winterthur region from September 10 and in the Weinfelden region from October 27.

Allianz will operate hail drive-ins at Semes Bachenbülach from September 14, at the Eulachhallen in Winterthur from September 14 and at the Aarau bus company premises from September 21. Zurich opened a hail help point over the weekend and plans further locations in the greater Olten area, the Aargau and Solothurn region, Bülach and Winterthur. Mobiliar is also organising several drive-ins.

Cars damaged in the storms should be documented with photos and the damage reported to the insurer promptly. Vehicles affected by flooding should not be started, as this could cause engine damage. Repairs should generally wait until the insurer has inspected the vehicle, while loose parts should be secured if it is safe to do so.

Homes were also damaged by the storm, including roofs, skylights, roof windows, facades and shutters. The Zurich Cantonal Building Insurance, the canton’s building insurer, had received 11,600 claims by Monday and expects total damage of around 200 million Swiss francs.

The Association of Cantonal Building Insurers said storm damage to buildings was difficult to predict over the course of a year, with relatively low-damage years sometimes followed by sharp increases after major events. The Swiss Insurance Association said Friday’s storms were not a once-in-a-century event.