Business · Economy · 2 hrs ago
Only 57% of German buildings have cover for flood and heavy-rain damage
Heavy rain and floods have caused costly damage to homes in Germany, including in Dirlos, where flooding hit in 2013 and 2018.
About 400,000 homes are in areas at high risk of flooding, and heavy rain can also cause damage far from rivers and lakes.
Only 57% of buildings have natural-hazard insurance, which can add cover for flooding and heavy rain to standard home insurance.
The share of insured existing homes has stalled, and interest often rises after disasters then fades.
Experts say climate change could increase these risks, while a study cited in Germany found insurers could in principle pass risks on to reinsurers.
Germany has debated making this insurance compulsory, but the question of whether insurers can carry growing risks remains.
Experts also call for better protection and safer building plans, and Fulda district uses more than 180 sensors to warn residents and emergency services about heavy rain and floods.
Only about 57% of buildings in Germany have insurance against natural hazards such as flooding and heavy rain.
About 400,000 residential buildings are in areas at high risk of flooding.
Experts expect heavy rain and floods to become more frequent as the climate warms, increasing the risk of damage to buildings.
Coverage among existing buildings has stagnated, while interest in policies often rises only temporarily after disasters.
Experts also call for better flood protection, climate-resilient construction and less building in known risk areas.
- Who
- Owners of buildings in Germany, including those in high flood-risk areas.
- What
- Only about 57% of buildings have insurance covering damage from natural hazards such as flooding and heavy rain.
- When
- As of 8 November 2026.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Heavy rain and flooding can cause costly damage, and experts expect these events to become more frequent as the climate warms.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Flooding caused heavy damage in Dirlos.
Flooding again caused heavy damage in Dirlos.
After the Ahr Valley flood, interest in natural-hazard insurance rose, though the effect usually did not last long.
Tagesschau reported that about 57% of buildings in Germany had natural-hazard insurance.
- Buildings insured
- About 57%
- Residential buildings in high flood-risk areas
- Around 400,000
- Flooding in Dirlos
- High damage in 2013 and 2018
- New homes in designated flood zones
- About 1,000 to 1,500 a year
- Flood-warning sensors in Fulda district
- More than 180
What people are saying
Climate change worries me
Heavy rain can also occur where there is no river nearby
Not stated