Finans Norge: The extent of climate-related claims in Norway is increasing 

In the last ten years, natural and weather damage has led to more than NOK 28 billion in compensations in Norway. Extreme precipitation accounts for almost half, according to Finans Norge.

Finans Norge, which organizes most of the country’s insurance companies, has presented a climate report showing the extent of natural disasters over the past ten years.

According to them, the extent of climate-related damage in Norway is increasing. They point out that, among other things, there is often damage after extreme precipitation, which is increasingly occurring in Norway. Damage after extreme precipitation accounts for about half of the compensation after all weather and natural damage in the last ten years, according to the report.

On the other hand, 10% of the damage comes from frost, 8% from lightning, 15% from storms, 7% from landslides, and 19% from blockages in drains. In addition, there is damage to roads and infrastructure, which the report does not address.

Many at the same time

Director Hege Hodnesdal for damage insurance at Finans Norge says that extreme precipitation events often lead to many damages in a short space of time.

“Increasingly densely populated and central areas where many people live are suddenly affected by torrential rain. Then a lot of damages come at the same time,” she said.

Of the ten largest natural damage incidents since 1980, seven of them occurred after 2010, Finans Norge’s figures show. There have also been major incidents in previous periods, but less frequently.

The quick clay landslide that hit Gjerdrum on December 30, 2020, is the worst natural damage in recent times. The landslide cost ten people and an unborn child their lives.

Calls for climate adaptation

In the report, Finans Norge points out that it is cheaper to prevent than to repair after natural damage incidents. In addition, it can prevent serious damage.

The organization believes it is good that several municipalities take climate considerations into account and adapt relevant development areas to the climate of the future. Still, it also calls for an overview of the risk of natural damage where there are already buildings.

“We believe the authorities must take even greater account of where and how things are built in the Norway of the future in order to avoid major damage. It is important to be careful, and clear responsibilities are crucial,” Hodnesdal explained.

The Gjerdrum committee also called for better mapping of areas with existing buildings when they presented their report on Monday. Among other things, they recommended a new natural damage protection law.

Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews

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