City, Country – [Date] – Czech insurance companies have reported a decrease in the number of claims related to natural disasters this year compared to the previous year. However, the total value of these claims is approaching last year’s figures, with storms and hailstorms causing the most significant damage.

A survey conducted by ČTK among major domestic insurance companies revealed that the Moravia region has been the most affected in terms of natural disasters this year, whereas in 2022, it was the southern part of the country.

Generali Česká pojišťovna, one of the leading insurance providers, has handled 24,350 insurance events with an estimated value of two billion Czech koruna this year. In the same period last year, there were 40,933 claims amounting to 2.7 billion Czech koruna. Jan Marek, a spokesperson for the insurance company, noted that while storm damage is the most prevalent, hailstorms are responsible for the highest damages.

Marek commented, “The numbers from the last two years show that each year is truly different. Storms and hailstorms remain the natural elements that cause the most damage in the Czech Republic. Hailstorms result in the highest overall financial losses. The consequences of heavy rainfall have also been added this year, whereas last year, it was predominantly floods.”

Although northern and southern Moravia have experienced the most natural disasters this year, the entire southern region of the country was the most affected last year. Marek pointed out, “By this time last year, we had almost twice as many claims as this year. And although there are fewer claims this year, their value is high compared to last year’s period.”

Kooperativa, another leading insurance company, has recorded 16,400 natural disaster-related insurance events amounting to 1.25 billion Czech koruna this year. Spokesperson Milan Káňa stated that storms and heavy rainfall caused the most damage, with 6,300 claims. In 2022, there were 33,160 claims amounting to 1.9 billion Czech koruna, while in 2021, there were 31,400 claims totaling 2.42 billion Czech koruna. The tornado in southern Moravia significantly impacted the claims in 2021.

Česká podnikatelská pojišťovna described this year as relatively calmer compared to previous years. The volume of storm-related claims reached 166 million Czech koruna in the first nine months. “In 2022, we paid out 313 million Czech koruna to clients for these claims, 612 million Czech koruna in 2021, and 244 million Czech koruna in 2020,” said Reneta Čapková, a spokesperson for the insurance company.

Allianz reported over 5,000 claims amounting to 170 million Czech koruna during the first half of this year. However, the volume of natural disaster claims increased in July and August, with approximately 2,000 additional claims totaling 170 million Czech koruna, according to spokesperson Marie Petrovová. In 2022, there were 18,300 claims with a total value of 750 million Czech koruna.

Uniqa Insurance company’s statistics showed a 26% decrease in storm-related claims from June to the end of August compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, August remained a strong month for storms, according to spokesperson Eva Svobodová. Despite the fluctuations in claims, this year’s natural disaster season is projected to result in more than a fifth increase in insurance payouts compared to the previous year.

Czech insurance companies have faced various challenges due to natural disasters this year, but their capacity to manage claims and mitigate damages has proven effective. Despite changing patterns of storm damage, the insurance industry continues to play a pivotal role in providing financial support and stability to individuals and businesses affected by these events.

Article by Prague Forum