Storm Boelo brings about 1,000 damage claims at Achmea
Nationale-Nederlanden expects more claims after the first autumn storm.
Interpolis and Centraal Beheer, both part of Achmea, have received about 1,000 storm damage reports so far, a spokesperson says.
Noord-Brabant is the worst-hit province among Interpolis and Centraal Beheer customers, followed by Limburg, Zuid-Holland and Gelderland. Their spokesperson expects reports from across the country in the coming days. NN's spokesperson also expects more claims: "The damage reports made through the advisers still have to come in."
Interpolis and Centraal Beheer say the strong wind blew many leaves onto roofs, especially flat ones. "As a result, gutters and rainwater drains can become blocked. If a lot of rain then falls, the water cannot drain properly and can get inside, causing leaks and water damage," the spokesperson says. The two brands advise people to check after a storm that gutters and drains are free of leaves.
NN also sees fences blown over and cyclists who fell because of the wind.
Storm Boelo, officially the first autumn storm of the year, hit the Netherlands this weekend with heavy gusts mainly in coastal areas. Storm Austen passed over on Friday but was not an official storm.
The Verbond van Verzekeraars, the insurers' association, will publish final figures on this autumn's storm damage only next year.
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Achmea
Achmea is a Dutch insurance group that owns several insurance brands, including Interpolis and Centraal Beheer, and offers car, home, health and other insurance. Because it brings together several well-known insurers under one company, its figures often cover a large share of the Dutch insurance market.
Verbond van Verzekeraars
The Verbond van Verzekeraars is the trade association of insurance companies in the Netherlands, representing their shared interests. It collects and publishes industry-wide figures, such as totals of insurance claims after storms and other damage events, so its numbers cover all member insurers rather than a single company.