Storm Nils Insurance Claim: Get Compensated – Deadline Advice

With around two million visitors each month (and nearly 3.5 million quotes per year), LesFurets is today the leading comparison site in the insurance field. Its general director Cédric Menager provides some essential advice after the damage caused by storm Nils in Lot-et-Garonne.

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What should policyholders pay attention to in this type of situation?

Cédric Menager: Two scenarios must be distinguished. The first is when bad weather is recognized as a natural disaster by ministerial decree published in Official Journal. In this case, the “natural disaster” guarantee of your comprehensive home insurance applies automatically.

The second case is when the event is not recognized as a natural disaster. There, it all depends on the guarantees taken out in your contract. Some insurance policies include “climatic events” or “flood” coverage, others do not. This is why it is essential to reread your contract carefully before a loss occurs.

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“The excess, in this case, is set at €380, regardless of the insurer”

Concretely, what should the insured do?

C. M. : If the natural disaster is recognized, the insured has thirty days from the publication of the decree in Official Journal to make his statement. This period is relatively long, but you should not wait. You must compile a complete file: take photos of the damage, keep the invoices, collect repair quotes, in short, any useful document to prove the extent of the damage. The excess, in this case, is set at €380, regardless of the insurer.

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What if the storm is not classified as a natural disaster?

C. M. : In this case, you must check the guarantees included in your contract. If you have “climatic events” coverage, you can be compensated. Otherwise, unfortunately, the damage will not be covered. It is therefore crucial to know exactly what your contract covers. If you are in doubt, call your insurer immediately.

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The reporting deadline is then much shorter: five working days from the discovery of the loss. If you discover the damage later, for example in a second home, the time limit begins to run from the moment you notice the damage. The declaration can be made by telephone, by registered mail or online. More and more insurers are favoring online declaration, because it helps relieve call centers and speed up the processing of files.

“We also need to build a solid file”

What are the pitfalls to avoid?

C. M. : The first trap is not meeting deadlines. Then, you must check your contract before the loss occurs. With the increase in climatic events, it becomes essential to have suitable coverage. In the event of a disaster, you must also put together a solid file. Photos are essential, but you must also keep purchase invoices, repair quotes, and even exchanges with craftsmen or municipal services.

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Regarding car insurance, what should you check after a storm like Nils?

Cédric Menager: If your vehicle is damaged by a flood, a falling tree or an object thrown by the wind, you must check that your contract includes “climatic events” guarantee. If this is not the case, you will not be compensated. Here again, it is useful to compare offers to find the most suitable formula.