The effects of climate change are affecting homeowners throughout Sweden, and the Stockholm area is particularly hard hit, according to a new survey.
When it comes to storm damage to houses, coastal areas are extra vulnerable, says Per Sangrud.
Most in the Stockholm area
Over 750 million kronor has been paid out in compensation from insurance companies over the past five years. Nearly a third of the amount has gone to homeowners in the Stockholm area.
It can be about roof tiles flying away or trees toppling and destroying properties.
Drier summers, wetter winters, and increasingly severe storms are all factors that can damage or negatively impact homes.
Per Sangrud believes that the time for not caring about climate adaptation is over and that the government, municipalities, and individual homeowners must realize that it's time to take action.
Municipalities have a great responsibility when it comes to climate adaptation. But homeowners also have a responsibility to protect their home.
Preventive measures
There is a need among homeowners to increase their knowledge of climate adaptation, thinks Sangrud. He urges homeowners to contact their municipality to find out what climate risks exist where they live, and to contact their insurance company, which can list preventive measures.
You can also start by just looking around. Do I have a tree that's too close to the house? Outdoor furniture that can blow away? Or an old flagpole that's not secured? That's important to review.
When it comes to the prognosis going forward for this type of damage, Sangrud says that they are likely to continue to increase.
The humble answer is that it's not going to get better.
The survey was conducted by Länsförsäkringar Fastighetsförmedling.
The statistics refer to storm damage and paid-out compensation between 2019 and 2023.
The municipalities where the highest proportion of homeowners have been affected by storm damage are Norrtälje, Solna, Lidköping, Vaxholm, and Värmdö.
The municipalities where the lowest proportion of homeowners have been affected by storm damage are Pajala, Vindeln, Skellefteå, Åsele, and Övertorneå.
Source: Länsförsäkringar Fastighetsförmedling
