If You Are Insured, Report the Damage and Do Not Discard Destroyed Items

With the receding water in areas affected by the flood caused by the largest water wave in recent decades, the damages are just beginning to show. Those who were fortunate in misfortune and timely insured their property are advised by insurers to report the damage as soon as possible and not to discard destroyed and damaged items until the arrival of the appraiser.

Insurers simultaneously warn of the alarmingly small number of policyholders who choose to take out policies that would protect them from the consequences of such a disaster.
– Croatian citizens simply do not perceive insurance as a necessity, but as a luxury. When a disaster like the recent flood occurs, humanitarian aid is expected from the state, but it cannot be provided in full. It is up to insurers to instill a culture of insurance in the consciousness of citizens through their educational programs and public engagement. Property insurance is the only long-term way to protect citizens from the consequences of such disasters – they state at the largest domestic insurer, Croatia osiguranje.

Their data confirms this – only 12 percent of their policyholders who insured property against fire and other risks also insured against floods. Similar data is available from other insurance companies: Allianz estimates that only 25 percent of households in Croatia are insured, and it is difficult to estimate how many have additional flood insurance. Grawe’s experience is also that very few households are insured, and at Triglav osiguranje, it can be heard that the damages they pay for flood insurance are negligible because very few households insure against that danger. – Even after the floods recorded last spring, that number has not increased. Interest in flood insurance remains minimal – they say at Triglav.

On the other hand, insurers whose policyholders were somewhat more concerned about floods in recent days are very busy. – When it comes to the flood situation, we received 50 damage reports just yesterday. We have organized additional capacities so that our appraisers can go to the field and make assessments as soon as possible, where possible, of course. Namely, while the water has not receded, it is difficult to accurately assess the damage. Because of all this, we cannot yet say how much the damages will be – they say at Allianz and urge clients to report damages as soon as they can so that appraisers can timely go to the flood site and make an assessment. Additionally, it is important that destroyed and damaged items are not discarded until the appraiser arrives. All insurers give similar advice.

– When flood damage occurs, as with all other damages, we advise policyholders to try to do everything to protect their property and minimize damage. After that, they should report the damage to the insurer as soon as possible so that professional appraisers can assess the damage incurred, process the necessary documentation in the shortest time, after which compensation is paid to the policyholder as soon as possible. The legal deadline for damage payment is 14 days from the date of reporting and sending complete documentation – they state at Grawe osiguranje. For those who will consider flood insurance after such events, Allianz’s calculation may be useful, indicating that an apartment of 60 square meters can be insured for as little as 51 kuna per month, and for a house (building part and household items) for 211 kuna per month. (Tatjana Brebrić)