Full cellars, dented walls and destroyed houses: In view of the recent flood disaster, the discussion about compulsory insurance is picking up speed.
Düsseldorf - The consequences of the flood disaster are heating up people.
After the flood in western Germany, there was a controversial discussion about compulsory insurance against natural hazards.
Damage caused by natural forces is defined as damage caused by natural events such as heavy rain, floods or landslides.
Compulsory insurance: The state should only help in a transitional phase
The Munich economist Monika Schnitzer thinks it makes sense, “if you want to prevent some from foregoing such insurance, trusting that you will receive help from the state in the event of a disaster,” said the member of the Advisory Council (“Wirtschaftlichkeit”) of the “ Wirtschaftswoche ". However, the level of the premiums must be matched to the level of the risks. "Whose house and property are more at risk should pay higher premiums," Schnitzer explained.
The President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Gabriel Felbermayr, also advocates compulsory private insurance.
"This would have to be equipped with a deductible so that the incentives for self-protection remain upright," he told the magazine.
The premiums should "be adapted to the existing risks, as is the case with other insurance companies".
The state should help in a transition phase when owners of houses in floodplains were suddenly confronted with high premiums.
Consumer advice centers: Compulsory insurance as an interference with fundamental rights that is too great
The President of the Munich Ifo Institute, Clemens Fuest, on the other hand, sees “no sufficient justification” for compulsory insurance. If politicians nevertheless decide to do so, they should “definitely be private”, and there should be “a very high deductible so that the false incentives to build in flood-prone areas are kept within limits”.
The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) had previously recommended insurance against natural hazards to homeowners, but rejected compulsory insurance as it would encroach on basic rights. Vzbv board member Klaus Müller spoke out in favor of a legally anchored principle of all-risk coverage. “This would give consumers the right, for example, that their houses would initially be protected against all risks. But you can also deselect individual risks, ”explained Müller. The Baden-Württemberg Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann announced on Tuesday that he would again advocate compulsory insurance at the Prime Minister's Conference in autumn.
(dpa)
