Norway’s only earthquake damage coordinator expects more reports after weekend tremor

Norway’s sole earthquake damage coordinator predicts an increase in insurance claims as residents inspect their homes following Sunday’s 3.6-magnitude quake—the strongest in the country since 2004—Dagbladet reports.

Nils Håvar Øyås, who normally works as a claims adjuster in Surnadal, Nordmøre, serves as Norway’s only coordinator for earthquake-related damage assessments. Speaking to Dagbladet on Sunday afternoon, he noted that while initial reports had been sparse, more were likely to emerge as homeowners examined their properties.

“It hasn’t been a particularly powerful quake, so direct damage is unlikely. But it may have exposed pre-existing weaknesses,” Øyås said, adding that such events often prompt residents to notice issues they had previously overlooked.

His role involves collecting damage reports from insurers, consulting experts, and evaluating whether claimed losses can be linked to seismic activity. Typically, he handles “a few up to around 40 cases per year,” primarily from Western and Northern Norway.

Øyås dismissed concerns about fraudulent claims, stating that any unrelated reports likely stem from uncertainty rather than intent. “After such events, people pay extra attention,” he explained.

As of Sunday, major insurers—including Gjensidige, Tryg, and If—had received few or no quake-related claims. If confirmed one minor case, while Gjensidige anticipated some reports as residents inspected foundations. “It’s a good opportunity to check things people often forget,” said Bjarne Aani Rysstad, Gjensidige’s communications director for damage insurance.

The 3.6-magnitude tremor, centered in Eastern Norway, disrupted Dagbladet’s live broadcast Sunday morning but caused no immediate reports of significant structural damage. Øyås urged residents to report suspected quake-related issues to their insurers for assessment.