Natural disaster insurance

Natural Hazard Insurance - Natural hazard insurance is a supplementary policy to home building or contents insurance that covers damage caused by natural hazards such as high water, heavy rain, flooding, earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, and snow load. It thus fills a coverage gap that is intentionally excluded from standard home building insurance.

What does natural hazard insurance cover?

Standard home building insurance protects against fire, water damage from pipes, storms, and hail - however, natural hazards such as flooding caused by river flooding or heavy rain, backflow from the sewer system, earthquakes, landslides, subsidence, snow load, and avalanches are expressly excluded. Natural hazard insurance covers precisely these risks as an additional component.

In Germany, the zoning system for flooding, sewer backup, and heavy rain (ZÜRS) assigns each address to one of four risk classes. ZÜRS Zone 1 (low risk) covers around 92% of all buildings and is generally insurable without issue. Zone 2 represents a moderate risk, Zone 3 an elevated risk, and Zone 4 a very high flood risk-in these cases, insurers charge significantly higher premiums or may even refuse coverage in individual cases.

In addition to the ZÜRS zone, premiums depend on the building’s value, construction method, the location of the basement, and individual protective measures such as backflow valves or flood barriers. A deductible of 500 to 5,000 euros per claim is standard in the market and significantly reduces the annual premium. Typical costs for a single-family home in Zone 1 range between 100 and 300 euros annually.

Politically, there has been discussion in Germany for years regarding mandatory insurance against natural hazards. The Conference of Ministers of Justice has repeatedly spoken out in favor of it, and a corresponding bill is currently in the legislative process. For homeowners, this means: Anyone who does not yet have natural hazard insurance should act promptly-because if mandatory coverage is introduced, premiums could rise due to a surge in demand.

Backflow: A Frequently Underestimated Risk

Backflow is a particularly relevant type of claim: During heavy rain, the sewer system can no longer handle the volume of water, causing wastewater to back up through the house connections into basements. Backflow damage is only covered if a functioning backflow preventer-such as a backflow valve or a lifting system-is installed and maintained. If this protection is missing, the insurer may reduce or deny coverage. We therefore recommend having the backflow protection system inspected regularly by a specialist company and keeping proof of maintenance.

Preventive protective measures and their effect on the premium

Those who actively invest in protecting their building can not only reduce the risk of damage but also negotiate better insurance terms. Among the most effective structural measures are: the installation of certified backflow valves (cost: €500-1,500), flood-proof light wells with covers, sealing basement walls and floors against rising water (basement waterproofing: €5,000-15,000 depending on size and condition), water-resistant flooring and heating systems in the basement, as well as mobile flood protection systems (door dam systems, sandbag alternatives). Insurers view these measures favorably: A building with documented protective measures can, in some cases, be classified into a lower risk category, which can reduce the annual premium by 20-40%. Document all protective measures with invoices and photos and submit them to the insurer when applying for coverage.

Practical Tip for Property Owners in Nuremberg and Franconia

The Nuremberg metropolitan region is characterized by the Pegnitz, Rednitz, and Regnitz rivers, as well as numerous smaller streams. Neighborhoods such as Werderau, Mögeldorf, or St. Johannis are located near riverbanks and may be classified as ZÜRS Zone 2 or higher, depending on the address. Even in higher-elevation areas such as Erlenstegen or Ziegelstein, heavy rain events regularly cause backflow damage in basements. We advise all property owners in the metropolitan region to check their individual ZÜRS classification via the GDV portal and to compare quotes from at least three insurers-including regional providers such as Versicherungskammer Bayern and national providers. For properties in Fürth (near the Rednitz) and Erlangen (near the Regnitz), we recommend proceeding with particular caution: These cities have experienced repeated flooding events in the past, which may be reflected in the ZÜRS classification. If you have questions about the risk assessment of your property, we are happy to assist you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is natural disaster insurance mandatory?

As of 2026, there is still no legal requirement in Germany to purchase natural disaster insurance, although the political debate is well underway. Some federal states, such as Baden-Württemberg, had mandatory insurance until 1994, which was then abolished. Regardless of the current legal situation, we strongly recommend taking out a policy-because a single instance of flood or heavy rain damage can completely deplete a homeowner’s financial reserves. Damage costs ranging from €20,000 to €100,000 are not uncommon in the event of severe incidents and must be borne entirely by the homeowner without insurance coverage.

How much does natural disaster insurance cost?

Costs vary significantly depending on location, ZÜRS zone, building type, and the chosen deductible. For a typical single-family home in the Nuremberg metropolitan area in ZÜRS Zone 1, annual premiums as an add-on to existing home insurance range from €100 to €300. In ZÜRS Zone 2, premiums rise to €300-700 annually; in Zone 3, they can reach €1,000 or more. A higher deductible-such as €2,500 instead of €500-can reduce the premium by 20-30% and is a sensible option for owners with sufficient liquid reserves.

Can the insurance policy be canceled after a claim?

Yes, both the policyholder and the insurer have a special right of termination after a settled claim. In practice, insurers occasionally exercise this right for buildings in high ZÜRS zones following major damage, which can make it considerably more difficult to obtain a new policy. Preventive measures such as backflow valves, flood-resistant construction, and basement waterproofing significantly improve your negotiating position with the insurer and reduce the risk of termination following a claim.

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