Insurance claims soar after extreme weather event in Innlandet, Norway

Between August 7 and August 25 of last year, a total of 6,809 insurance claims were reported from the valleys in Innlandet and municipalities in Hadeland, as well as other areas southward toward the Oslo region. The compensation amount for damages in Gudbrandsdalen, Hallingdal, and Valdres reached a staggering 929.6 million kroner, covering 2,175 claims. These figures are preliminary and may still change.

Ståle Solem Ingebrigtsen, Managing Director of Norsk Naturskadepool, acknowledged that while insurance companies and the organization are prepared for significant natural disasters, they were particularly impressed with how those affected coped with the extensive damages to homes and properties. Some individuals experienced delays in receiving professional assistance due to a shortage of craftsmen.

The extreme weather event, dubbed Hans, caused considerable flooding, landslides, and storm damage in August of last year, resulting in more severe impacts than the last major flood recorded—Vesleofsen in 1995.

The valleys of Hallingdal, Gudbrandsdalen, and Valdres suffered especially hard from the consequences. The average compensation in Hallingdal was nearly half a million kroner, exceeding typical figures for such damages. The compensation encompasses damage to buildings and personal property under natural disaster insurance law, with claims for vehicles and boats accounted separately.

Solem Ingebrigtsen emphasized the importance of government resources dedicated to preventing natural disasters, stating that while not all damages can be avoided, preventive measures yield valuable benefits.