2024 threatens to break all storm damage records – as of now, already 43% more storm damage cases have been registered compared to the same period in the previous year. The storms in June and the beginning of August contributed to a large extent, Seesam’s newest overview shows.

“Storms cause ever more trouble in Estonia year on year and the reality is that every following year brings new storm damage records. Even though the payment of indemnification related to the latest storm and major downpour is still ongoing, the amount of indemnification paid is already a third higher than in the previous year. The highest damage thus far has amounted to 6,000 euros and the average storm damage amount of the year has been 1,405 euros,” said Dagmar Gilden, Seesam’s Home Insurance Product Manager.

Harju County with the most damage

According to the insurer, the list of damaged objects remains very similar each year regardless of the fact that both the Rescue Board and insurance companies speak out on and share warnings about storms. Perimeter fences suffer the most damage, especially those that are already in a poor condition before the storm. These are followed by various covered terraces, property located in the yard such as trampolines, garden furniture and robotic lawn mowers, as well as the roofs of buildings. Unfortunately, the main culprits of damage are trees falling down. This year, a falling tree damaged the roof and terrace of a residential building in one case and the perimeter fence in another case, with the respective damage being 5,100 euros and 4,800 euros. In one instance, the broken top of a birch damaged a trampoline, resulting in 310 euros of damage.

“Cases where the wind blows objects that are loose in the yard against the window, such as an unfastened trampoline, garden furniture or a swing chair on the balcony of an apartment building are also frequent. The damage is not necessarily huge, but it causes inconvenience and these instances could be avoided rather easily. We recently had a case where garden furniture was not fastened properly – it was caught in the wind, flew around the garden and got damaged. The damage was 1,405 euros,” noted Gilden as examples of storm damage.

The insurer notes Tallinn and its vicinity as the main area of damage with the highest number of households suffering storm damage this year.

According to Gilden, storm damage amounts to nearly 5% of all damage and loss handlers deal with such damage on a daily basis, as strong gusts of wind that cause damage appear in different regions even when a major warning is not issued in the media.

No mercy from lightning

Lightning often accompanies storms, and in this case, we can talk about two major groups of damage: fires and equipment damage caused due to power surges.

“Lightning causes considerable financial damage to people every year even without causing fires in buildings. For example, one of our clients recently suffered damage to various household appliances, with the damage over 5,000 euros. In several instances, solar panels and their accompanying equipment have suffered damage exceeding 10,000 euros. In the case of equipment used for servicing the building, such as heat pumps, security and surveillance equipment or solar panels and their accompanying equipment, the electronics used for the control functions of the equipment are often damaged,” noted Gilden in relation to damage caused by lightning.

Since the natural pattern of the seasons has changed and Estonia is more frequently facing heat waves, droughts and extreme storms, Gilden recommends reviewing the home insurance contract, giving the aforesaid more consideration.

“The homeowner should review whether and on what conditions insurance will indemnify damage when an appliance has been plugged into the wall outlet during lightning and consequently damaged due to a power surge and whether there are any differences in indemnification in the case of equipment servicing the building,” Gilden advised.

Regardless of whether the home is insured, precaution is needed for lightning to make sure the home and household objects remain in good order and no extra hazards e.g. by a fire are caused.

“Storm clouds often roll in without prior warning; therefore it is a good idea to unplug household electronics that do not constantly require electricity and can be unplugged when leaving the home for a long day out or for the weekend. Likewise, it is not reasonable to charge devices such as phones, computers, bicycle batteries, etc. during lightning. Switching off the power from the breakers or the main circuit breaker is also a way to alleviate the risk as recommended by the Rescue Board,” noted Gilden on the steps that help protect the home from lightning damage.