Storms – how to navigate the claims process with ease
Thunder, lightning and gales – in Switzerland, storms can cause damage worth millions, as well place financial strain on affected households. Here you can read about the right way to proceed in the event of a claim.
iStock / AndreyPopov
Heavy storms and squalls – not a rare phenomenon in Switzerland. Storms can cause millions of francs’ worth of damage. After dealing with material damage, individuals may also find themselves in financial difficulty. Comparis lists the key points to bear in mind to ensure your claim is processed smoothly.
Whether due to lightning, hail or flooding – the consequences of storm damage can place homeowners and tenants alike in significant financial difficulty. Insurance can help to mitigate the impact. The best way to proceed is as follows:
1. Make your claim
Most insurers provide an online form for claims notifications. The advantage of this is that you can upload documents such as damage lists, photos and receipts directly. However, it usually takes longer for insurance companies to respond to claims submitted online than it does by telephone.
Online claims forms and helplines of the various insurance companies:
Allianz Suisse (0800 22 33 44)
AXA (0800 809 809)
Baloise Insurance (00800 24 800 800)
CSS Insurance (0844 277 277)
ELVIA (0800 666 222)
Generali (0800 82 84 86)
Helvetia (+41 58 280 30 00)
Migros Insurance (+41 58 561 58 58)
Mobiliar (00800 16 16 16 16)
smile.direct (0800 848 488)
Visana (0848 848 899)
Zurich (0800 80 80 80)
2. Clarify any outstanding issues
Many insurance companies have an extensive network of professional service partners who can repair storm damage. Home contents insurance also normally covers the costs of such services. When your home has suffered severe damage, you are entitled to receive assistance from the insurance company. If you contents insurer does not offer to help automatically, you can simply ask them. Professional services include:
Clean-up and restoration (often helpful for recording damaged items)
Drainage
Structural drying
Carpentry services
Electricians
Odour neutralization
Waste disposal
3. Document the damage
To ensure claims are paid as quickly and accurately as possible, make a list of damaged items specifying the purchase date, brand and price. Take photos of the damaged items.
Important: When submitting the list of damaged items, you should also include your bank details so that the funds can be transferred.
4. Arrange the clean-up work with the insurer
For major claims, most insurance companies send out a claims inspector. The damage can then be recorded and the cost estimated more accurately on site. You can give your receipts and list of damaged items to the inspector. Keep a copy for yourself.
Important: If it takes a few days for the damage to be inspected, ask the insurance company if you can start cleaning up beforehand.
5. Stand your ground
Some insurance companies will cover the cost of overnight stays in hotels if necessary. Others will pay for psychological support. However, if you are still unhappy with the way your claim has been handled overall, it is best to bring this up with the insurance company directly.
6. Consider switching insurer
After the claim has been paid, you have the option of switching to a different contents insurer – just cancel your policy within 14 days of receiving notification of the claims payment. When choosing a suitable insurer, it is important to consider service quality along with potential cost savings. Service quality does not always become apparent until you have to make a claim.
Examples of insured storm damage
(minus the deductible stated in the policy)
Gales over 75 km/h: bent bicycle frame due to fallen trees
Hail: cracked glass tables on balconies
Flooding: flooded cellar
Rockfall: broken windows and glass doors
Landslides: forecourts covered in mud
Groundwater: seepage into interior rooms
Lightning: damaged electrical items
This article was first published on 04.02.2020