According to the study "Impact of climate change on insurance by 2050" carried out in 2021 by France Insurers, "the amount of claims due to natural events could reach 143 billion euros cumulatively between 2020 and 2050, an increase of 93%, i.e. 69 billion euros more compared to the period 1989-2019. " Taking out the right home insurance is more than wise.
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Natural disaster: definition
According to INSEE, a natural disaster is characterized "by the abnormal intensity of a natural agent (flood, mudslide, earthquake, avalanche, drought ...) when the usual measures to be taken to prevent such damage could not prevent its occurrence or could not be taken".
It is an interministerial decree that declares the state of natural disaster, "thus allowing compensation for damage directly caused to insured property, under the law of 13 July 1982, relating to compensation for victims of natural disasters".
What is the "Natural Disasters" guarantee?
Once the interministerial decree recognizing the state of natural or technological disaster has been published in the Official Journal, it is up to you to declare the claim to your insurer as soon as possible. The natural catastrophe guarantee is not part of the basic contracts but it is offered in the multi-risk home contracts.
There is also a "Storm, hail, snow" guarantee, called "Climatic events" guarantee. The latter concerns hail, the direct action of the wind, the weight of the snow, the humidity due to the rain ... The scope of the "Climatic Events" coverage may vary from one insurer to another or depending on the formula chosen. Learn!
Natural disaster: how to be well covered for your home?
The "Natural Disasters" guarantee is mandatory and therefore automatically included in any multi-risk home contract. It is therefore a legal, regulated guarantee. To properly cover your home against natural disasters, it is therefore advisable to take out the multi-risk home contract, the most adapted to your needs. Do not hesitate to compare offers, thanks to online comparators.
If you can no longer stay in your home destroyed by a storm or swept away by a mudslide, your insurer may cover the costs of relocation when the insurance contract provides for a guarantee of relocation or guarding costs. Do not leave anything to chance and check this point.
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How does natural disaster insurance work?
Do not waste time: send the claim to your insurance company or the insurance broker who manages your contracts no later than 10 working days after the publication of the decree in the Official Journal, by registered letter, preferably with acknowledgment of receipt.
Do not forget to indicate in your letter different elements: your name, surname and address; your insurance contract number; a description of the disaster (nature, date, time, location); the encrypted list of all lost or damaged items as well as associated invoices or photographs proving their existence; damage caused to third parties if any. Do not throw away damaged items, which may be claimed by the insurer or the expert sent.
The insurance must pay you an advance on your benefits within 2 months of the date of delivery of the estimated statement of damaged property or losses suffered, and compensation within 3 months.
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What deductible in case of natural disaster?
You are compensated only for the goods covered by your contract, and within the limits of the guarantee limits. When the natural disaster guarantee is invoked, a legal deductible applies, modulated according to the nature of the damaged goods (sum which will therefore remain at your expense). For personal property, the deductibles are € 380 for homes or any other property for non-professional use; and €1,520 if the damage is attributable to ground movement due to drought or soil rehydration.