Climate protests: Allianz expects tightened security measures in museums

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Protest action in Potsdam (on October 23)

Photo: last generation / dpa

With some spectacular attacks on well-known works of art, climate protectionists recently wanted to point out grievances.

So far, the damage to property has been comparatively minor.

Nevertheless, the Allianz insurance group expects security measures to be significantly tightened.

After the series of incidents, more than half of the customers are already in contact, said Eric Wolzenburg, head of art insurance at Allianz Versicherungs-AG, the dpa news agency.

A mid double-digit number of museums are insured with the company or with consortiums with Allianz.

The values ​​in the houses are so high that an insurer alone cannot bear the liability, as Wolzenburg made clear.

At the moment, many houses want to assess their risks and discuss possible countermeasures.

Wolzenburg is convinced that in the future many large art museums will have security checkpoints like those at airports - with screening of bags and backpacks, body scanners and bans on taking pointed and sharp objects or liquids.

No impact on premiums yet

The affected houses reported damage of around 15,000 euros or a little more to Allianz.

The incidents and their consequences have not yet had any impact on the premiums, but he does not dare to make any predictions for the future, said Wolzenburg.

In addition to blocking numerous roads, climate activists have repeatedly targeted art exhibitions that have a media impact.

At the end of October, two people in Potsdam threw mashed potatoes based on a painting by Claude Monet.

However, the work was behind a pane of glass.

Nine days earlier, activists from the British group »Just Stop« had poured tomato soup over Vincent Van Gogh’s sunflower painting.

They also stuck themselves to the museum wall.

jok/dpa