More than 100 million euros in damage due to precipitation

In April, dozens of families in Enschede had to leave their homes because of water damage after a downpour. They cannot return home permanently. This means a local damage peak of millions of euros. According to Richard Weurding, managing director of the Dutch Association of Insurers, the Netherlands will have to adapt to a changing climate. "Climate-adaptive construction is important to be able to handle large showers, for example, which can fall very locally," says Weurding. "Damage that is compensated if people are insured through their contents (all the items in the house) and building (the house itself)." Yet quite a few people are still unaware of the need for home contents and home insurance. "Especially then the suffering and uncertainty is great."

Absorbing financial risks through insurance

That is why the Association wants to develop a vision on essential insurance together with the government and consumer organisations. To make people more aware of the financial risks they run and the possibilities to protect themselves against them. For example, through home contents and home insurance. According to Weurding, an accessible and accessible periodic financial MOT can be helpful. "Originally an idea of the AFM and Money Wise. It still needs to be worked out further, but it could be a good solution for this."

Damage peaks are increasing

Although the weather was relatively quiet last year, according to Weurding, that does not mean that we as insurers and as a society can sit back. "Extreme weather peaks are increasing internationally and lead to record damages , of which 57 percent turned out to be uninsured internationally last year." Weurding also points to the extremes we are seeing this year: a huge amount of rain in the first months of 2025, followed by persistent drought this spring. "Which increases the fire risks to homes and businesses, especially in wooded areas."

Damage prevention

Weurding insists on the importance of damage prevention: "Many people often don't know what to do in extreme weather. It helps if you know what the (climate) risks are of the area where you live. This can be done through overstroomik.nl and klimaateffectatlas.nl. Insurers play an important role in this by warning both companies and customers of extreme weather in a timely manner. That is why the Association is working with the KNMI to warn people as well as possible through prevention tips and weather warnings. If you know in advance what to expect, you can prevent a lot of damage. For example: Close windows, clean gutters, dry things in time, secure garden equipment in the shed and fences.