Insurers had received more than 1,000 damage claims by Monday morning following storms that swept across the Netherlands in recent days.
Interpolis and Centraal Beheer, both part of Achmea, have received around 1,000 claims so far, a spokeswoman said. Nationale-Nederlanden (NN) has received “just under five hundred” claims, according to a spokesperson.
Strong winds mainly damaged homes and other residential property. Cars were also damaged, for example by fallen trees.
Interpolis and Centraal Beheer said strong winds had blown large amounts of leaves onto roofs, particularly flat roofs. “As a result, gutters and downpipes can become clogged. If heavy rain subsequently falls, the water cannot drain properly and can enter the building, resulting in leaks and water damage,” the spokeswoman said.
The insurers advise people to check that gutters and downpipes are clear of leaves after a storm.
North Brabant has recorded the most damage claims so far among customers of Interpolis and Centraal Beheer. Limburg, South Holland and Gelderland follow. The spokeswoman expects more claims from across the country in the coming days.
NN, which also operates the ING Verzekeringen, OHRA, ASN Verzekeringen and ABN AMRO Verzekeringen brands, has received reports of blown-over fences. It has also received claims involving cyclists who fell because of the strong winds.
The insurer expects the number of claims to rise. “The damage reports submitted via the advisors have yet to come in,” the spokesperson said.
The Netherlands faced Storm Boelo this weekend, officially the first autumn storm of the year. It brought strong gusts of wind, particularly to coastal areas. Storm Austen had already passed over the country on Friday, but it was not classified as an official storm.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
