41 percent of all German residential buildings have no elementary protection in their insurance. After severe weather, this becomes a problem: heavy rainfall often causes massive damage that is then not reimbursed.
The risk is real. Storm and hail are covered as standard in residential building insurance – but flooding from heavy rainfall only if the policyholder has explicitly purchased elementary protection. This optional coverage is lacking for the majority.
For brokers, property managers, and real estate owners, this means concretely: Elementary protection must be discussed more strongly in customer advice. The protection gap is growing while heavy rainfall events become more frequent and intense. Without elementary coverage, the damage to the building remains with the owner.
Insurers are also tightening their terms. Those who want heavy rainfall protection pay an additional premium – or no longer receive it at all in new building areas with elevated flood risk.
