Thousands of households in northern and central Sweden have been affected by strong winds that snapped trees and cut power cables left and right, resulting in prolonged power outages.
Thankfully for the affected households, almost all damage is covered by home insurance, or by villa and holiday home insurance, explains lawyer and insurance expert Peter Stark at the Swedish Consumer Insurance Agency.
In principle, all insurance companies provide compensation if a tree or flagpole falls on a residential building, even if wind speeds are low when it happens, but you never receive compensation for removing the tree or flagpole; you have to do that at your own expense, says Stark.
Greenhouses are at risk
The exception is smaller buildings on the plot that are not part of the main building, such as greenhouses and sheds, unless there is comprehensive insurance.
But you have to take it on a case-by-case basis and let the insurance company assess the damage on an all-risk basis; you can never say for sure that you will receive compensation, says Stark.
Home insurance covers damage that occurs during extended power outages, such as frozen water pipes, and spoiled food when the refrigerator and freezer stop working.
It is also common for home electronics to be damaged when the power comes back on, which can lead to a power surge in the electrical grid, says Stark.
Have you been careless?
Insurance companies cannot invoke force majeure during storms to avoid paying out compensation for damages, he explains. However, there are situations where compensation can be reduced.
If you know a storm is coming, for example, you should always roll up your awning and make sure that loose objects are adequately protected or anchored to the ground. Compensation could be reduced if it turns out that you were very negligent, says Stark.
