These regions are particularly affected by storms

Thunderstorms are moving across Switzerland almost daily this week, marking the start of the 2025 storm season. It usually lasts until September, but much is uncertain: the number and extent of storm damage varies greatly from year to year, as figures from AXA, Switzerland's largest non-life insurer, show. 2024 was an average storm year - AXA recorded CHF 132 million in damage to vehicles, buildings, household contents and furnishings. This is roughly the same as in 2022 (CHF 143 million), around half as much as in 2021 (CHF 292 million) and 2023 (CHF 239 million) and around twice as much as in 2019 (CHF 73 million) and 2020 (CHF 61 million). "The differences are very large and have a massive impact on our claims balance sheet. However, storm risk, with its temporal and geographical volatility, is part of our core business and is factored into our long-term planning," says Stefan Müller, Head of Property & Casualty Insurance at AXA.

Storms today more short-term and intense

AXA figures show an increase in storm damage over the last four years. "It would be premature to speak of a trend, but our experience shows that storms have occurred at shorter notice in recent years than in the past and their intensity has increased significantly: extremely strong gusts of wind, more heavy rain, more frequent large hailstones - and all of this has been localized and small-scale in some cases," says Stefan Müller. This development is only partially reflected in the statistics on flood damage in particular, as the federal government, cantons and municipalities have invested more in protective measures at the same time. Flood relief tunnels, retention basins, dam heightening and the national flood hazard map are paying off.

Hail damage as a key driver

Not all regions in the country are exposed to the same risk. AXA's claims statistics show a clear picture of where which type of damage occurred most frequently. In terms of both the number of cases and the costs involved, hail damage to cars accounts for the largest proportion of storm damage. In the last twenty years, the cantons of Ticino, Jura and Neuchâtel, but also Nidwalden, Obwalden, Bern, Lucerne, Schwyz and Fribourg have been particularly affected. "Major hailstorms in particular, which damage a large number of cars in a short space of time, can be a major driver of the claims balance," says Patrick Villiger, Head of Motor Vehicle Claims at AXA. In contrast, there was hardly any hail damage in the cantons of Schaffhausen, Geneva, Graubünden, Glarus and Thurgau.

Frequent flooding in the canton of Schwyz

Over the last ten years, the canton of Schwyz has suffered the most flood damage per insured household, followed by the cantons of Thurgau, Solothurn and Lucerne. It should be noted, however, that individual events were very significant in each case. The cantons of Vaud, Nidwalden, Basel-Land, Graubünden and Uri have been spared flooding for the most part in the last ten years.

Ticino has the most lightning

One canton clearly leads the statistics for damage caused by lightning: In the last ten years, the risk of damage caused by lightning was almost seven times greater in Ticino than in the rest of Switzerland. AXA counts several hundred household contents claims in this canton every year. Compared to Basel-Land, Vaud and Geneva, the risk was even 26 times higher. The reason is understandable: When warm, humid Mediterranean air is pressed against the Alpine chain, thunderclouds form with strong updrafts and downdrafts and high electrical voltage. This discharges in lightning.

How to protect your property

If you take a few precautions, you can minimize the risk of certain storm damage to your property. In unstable weather conditions, apps with push notifications warn you quickly and accurately. If a storm with strong winds is forecast, mobile objects such as barbecues and garden chairs should be secured or put away and sun blinds should be raised. In heavy rain, water drains should also be kept clear and windows closed. If there is a risk of water entering the building, moisture-sensitive and valuable objects should be raised. In the event of hail, vehicles should be parked underneath and shutters should be raised. Because what many people don't know: "Hail can't damage windows, but it can damage roller shutters," explains Stefan Müller.

Insurance for storms

Depending on the damaged property, different insurance policies come into play. Storm damage to furniture and furnishings is covered at replacement value by household contents insurance. Damage to vehicles is covered by partially comprehensive insurance. And building damage is covered by buildings insurance, which in most regions runs through the canton. "Fortunately, Switzerland has an excellent, and worldwide unique, legally regulated natural hazards insurance. It ensures uniform cover and premiums for all private insurers and in all regions. It therefore guarantees a very high level of insurance in the event of storms," says Stefan Müller.

Source: Axa