storm According to an estimate by insurers in Germany, there was less insured property damage in the year that ended than in the previous year. Damage totaling 2.6 billion euros from natural hazards is expected, said the general manager of the German Insurance Association (GDV), Jörg Asmussen. These are round three billion euros less than in 2024.
However, this does not result in a new trend. “The fact that there was less damage this year is a matter of luck,” said Asmussen. The long-term threat of extreme weather due to climate change will continue to increase. Science confirms this: According to the scientific initiative World Weather Attribution (WWA), global warming significantly increased the likelihood of floods, heat waves, storms or fires in 2025.
In property insurance, which covers damage to buildings and furniture, for example, the overall association recorded insured losses totaling 1.4 billion euros from storms, hail and lightning. In addition, there was damage amounting to 500 million euros from natural hazards such as floods and heavy rain. In motor insurance, damage from storms and floods amounted to 700 million euros.
“In view of the increasing risks, it is urgently necessary to develop a holistic defense system,” demanded Asmussen. There have been no major storms in Germany in 2025 so far – unlike in 2024, including the south and southwest of Germany had to contend with major flooding.
