Water Damage Surges in France, Driving Up Home Insurance Costs
A Wet Year Leads to Increased Claims
Since the start of 2024, the frequency of water damage in France has increased dramatically, rising by 20.4%. This trend defies the pattern observed in other major categories of claims covered by multi-risk homeowner’s insurance. During the same period, thefts decreased by 2.9% and fires saw a 10.9% reduction, according to data from the France Insurers federation. Even “TGN” (tempest, hail, and snow), encompassing those climatic losses not covered by natural disaster insurance schemes, experienced a decline of 4%. Overall, all categories combined showed an increase of 6.1% in claims affecting housing.
This upward trend in water damage comes against a backdrop of record rainfall. 2024 has seen the wettest spring since 2008, with precipitation 45% higher than the average for the period from 1991 to 2020. Summer also saw excess precipitation of between 20% and 50% in several regions. This wet spell continued into autumn, where precipitation exceeded the average by almost 60% in September and 40% in October.
Addressing the Root Cause
Isabelle Paucton, general claims manager at MAIF, emphasizes the importance of addressing the root cause of water damage, rather than simply repairing the immediate damage. ”
>Gold, “the important thing in the event of a disaster is to treat the cause of the water damage, and not just the damage itself: the roof must be repaired correctly and not limited, for example, to the perimeter of the stolen tile”
The soaring costs of both materials and labor in recent years may have hindered some policyholders in their maintenance of roofs, facades, and pipes,
Water damage has long been the most frequent claim in France. While its average cost in 2023 was €1,204, this is lower than the average cost of a fire claim.
Rising Premiums Expected
The surge in water damage claims is expected to exert further upward pressure on home insurance premiums. According to the specialist firm Addactis, home insurance costs are forecast to increase by 8% to 10% in 2025.
What government policy and system, established in 1982, involves local risk maps and damage compensation for natural hazards in France? [[1](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17477891.2019.1696738)]
## French Floods: A Strain on Homeowners and Insurers
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show.
Joining us today is [Guest Name], an expert on property insurance and risk assessment.
[Guest Name], we’ve seen some alarming news recently regarding flooding in France. Can you shed light on the situation?
**Guest:**
Absolutely. This year, France has experienced a worrying surge in water damage claims, up a staggering 20.4% since the beginning of the year [This general trend is not directly mentioned in the provided article, however, it is possible water damage claims have risen in France]. Just last month, parts of southeastern France faced devastating floods leading to significant damage and power outages after heavy rainfall [[1](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/floods-cause-damage-power-outages-southeast-france-after-heavy-rainfall-2024-10-18/)]. While thankfully there were no reports of casualties in that incident, it highlights a concerning pattern.
**Interviewer:** It’s great to hear there were no casualties in that specific case. What’s behind this increase in water damage?
**Guest:**
It’s likely a combination of factors. We’ve seen more intense rainfall this year, and aging infrastructure in some areas may not be adequately equipped to handle these extreme weather events.
**Interviewer:** Where does this leave homeowners?
**Guest:**
Unfortunately, rising water damage claims are inevitably leading to increased home insurance premiums for French homeowners. It’s a balancing act for insurance companies: they need to ensure they can cover these growing costs associated with water damage, which means adjusting premiums accordingly.
**Interviewer:** Any advice for homeowners?
**Guest:**
Staying informed about local weather patterns and taking preventative measures is crucial. Regularly checking gutters, ensuring proper drainage around the house, and considering flood mitigation strategies, can make a big difference in minimizing potential damage.
