Reliable protection against natural hazards
Comprehensive protection for your home against natural hazards such as floods, heavy rain, and earthquakes. Secure your property with the elementary damage insurance from nextsure – digital, comprehensible, and tailored.
Securing Financial Stability
Protection Against Extreme Weather
Preservation of Your Property's Value
Why elemental damage insurance is becoming indispensable
Increasing extreme weather events
High Financial Risks
Protection of the Home
Often not in standard policies
What does an elemental damage insurance cover?
The natural hazards insurance offers financial protection against specific natural dangers that can cause significant damage to buildings and household contents. The core benefits include protection against flooding, for instance, due to high water or heavy rain, as well as backflow, which occurs when water from the sewage system enters the building. Additionally, damages caused by earthquakes, subsidence, and landslides are covered. Snow pressure, meaning the weight of snow masses on roofs, avalanches, and volcanic eruptions are also included under the insurance coverage. It is crucial to check the exact definitions and exclusions in the insurance contract, as the terms can vary in the market. nextsure places emphasis on transparent clauses so that you know exactly which natural events your natural hazards insurance covers and what requirements must be met for service provision. Typically, damages caused by storms or hail are already included in the residential building or household contents insurance and are not the primary part of the elementary coverage.
Protection from natural hazards
An overview of our fundamental building blocks
Flood
Protection against flooding from bodies of water and heavy rainfall.
Backlog
Protection if water from drainage pipes pushes into the house.
Earthquake
Coverage for natural ground vibrations.
Subsidence
Insurance coverage for ground subsidence over cavities.
Landslide
Performance in the event of natural landslides of soil masses.
Snow load
Protection against damage caused by the weight of snow masses.
Avalanches
Protection against damage from falling snow or ice masses.
Volcanic eruption
Cover for damage caused by ash or rock fall.
Heavy rainfall
Safety during extreme rainfall and its consequences.
Individual protection for your home and belongings, comprehensively and clearly explained.
Essential Protection
Secure against elemental risks now!
Who is natural hazard insurance particularly important for?
An elemental damage insurance is fundamentally of high relevance for every property owner and also for tenants (as part of contents insurance). However, it is particularly urgent for owners of houses and apartments in areas with an increased risk of natural hazards. These include regions near bodies of water that are prone to flooding, or areas known to be affected by heavy rainfall events, landslides, or snow loads. Even if your property is not directly located in a designated risk zone (e.g., ZÜRS zone), securing it can be sensible, as extreme weather conditions are becoming increasingly unpredictable and can affect areas previously spared. For family man Markus, for example, it secures the family home and the financial stability of his loved ones. For retirement planner Sabine, it means preserving her wealth and ensuring that she does not face financial ruin in old age should nature strike unexpectedly. Investing in elemental damage insurance is an investment in the long-term security of your property and financial independence.
Costs and Factors: What Influences the Contribution?
The cost of insurance against natural hazards is individual and depends on various factors. A key aspect is the location of the insured property, classified by the zoning system for flooding, backwater and heavy rain (ZÜRS). Properties in higher risk zones (e.g. ZÜRS 3 or 4) tend to have higher premiums. The chosen sum insured, which should correspond to the value of the building or contents, also plays a role. The amount of the deductible, meaning the amount you must cover yourself in the event of a claim, also affects the premium: A higher deductible often leads to a lower premium. Structural features of the house, such as the presence of a basement or the type of roof covering, may also be taken into account. nextsure analyses these factors precisely to offer you a transparent and fair premium for your natural hazard insurance. Our digital tariff calculator enables a quick initial assessment, followed by individual advice on the optimal design of your protection.
How to conclude your elemental insurance with nextsure
The conclusion of your fundamental damage insurance with nextsure is simple, transparent, and fully digitized. Visit our website and use our intuitive online calculator. Enter the required details about your property or household contents, such as address, year of construction, living area, and specific risk features if applicable. Based on this information, we will immediately create a tailored offer for you. You can compare different tariff options and adjust the excess to suit your needs. Our experts are at your side throughout the entire process to offer advice if questions arise or if you wish for an individual adjustment. After selecting the appropriate tariff, you can conclude the contract directly online. You will receive the insurance documents digitally and have access at any time via your personal customer portal. Nextsure relies on clear contract conditions and quick, uncomplicated processing, so you feel optimally protected.
Preventing Natural Hazards: Tips for Prevention
Although natural hazard insurance provides financial protection, actively preventing damage is an important step in securing your property and minimising potential inconveniences. In the event of flood risk, you should consider mobile flood protection systems and move valuable items from basements and ground floors to higher levels. Ensure that backflow valves in sewage pipes are operational to prevent water from entering from the sewer system during heavy rainfall. Regular maintenance of the roof and gutters can prevent damage from snow pressure or water ingress. Become informed about the specific risks at your location and implement appropriate structural measures, such as sealing basement walls or securing hillside properties. Good preparation can make a difference in an emergency and significantly reduce the extent of damage. nextsure supports you not only with insurance coverage but also with information on damage prevention.
Analyse requirements
Identifying risks
Calculate offer
Choose a tariff
Complete online
Immediately protected
In the event of damage: How to act correctly with elemental damage insurance
When a natural disaster occurs, quick and thoughtful action is crucial. Your safety and that of your family is the top priority. Firstly, ensure your safety and that of others. Report the damage to your insurance immediately, which in this case is nextsure. Document the damage as thoroughly as possible with photos or videos before starting cleanup – this is important for the claims process. Carry out immediate measures to minimise damage, provided this can be done without personal risk (e.g., pumping out water, securing loose parts). Keep damaged items until the damage has been assessed by an expert or surveyor. Make a list of damaged or destroyed items, including their approximate new value and purchase date. Always discuss major repair or restoration measures with nextsure first. Transparent communication and cooperation significantly expedite the claims process, allowing you to receive the necessary financial support quickly.
Difference: Home and Contents Insurance with Natural Hazard Protection
Elemental damage insurance is not a standalone policy, but an important additional component to residential building or household insurance. The residential building insurance protects the building itself—walls, roof, permanently installed features like heating systems or fitted kitchens—against insured risks, including natural disasters, if the component is included. Household insurance, on the other hand, covers damage to movable goods in the home—furniture, clothing, electronics, valuables—also including natural disasters, if agreed. It is essential to extend both insurances to include natural disaster protection to ensure comprehensive coverage. A flood can damage both the building (walls, floors) and household contents (ground floor furniture). Without the natural disaster component in both policies, you would have to bear the costs for damages caused by natural hazards such as flooding or earthquakes. nextsure is happy to advise you on how to optimally combine your protection.
State Aid vs. Elemental Insurance: Which is better?
After major natural disasters, there are often discussions about government emergency aid for those affected. However, it is important to understand that this aid is often not comprehensive, may be subject to conditions (e.g., means testing), and there is no legal entitlement to it. Additionally, state funds usually flow with delays and often cover only a portion of the damage incurred, frequently only for hardship cases. A private natural hazard insurance, on the other hand, provides a contractually assured benefit to the agreed extent. It allows for a predictable and swift financial recovery after damage. Relying solely on government aid entails significant financial risk. Federal states such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have already indicated that government aid for the uninsured could be significantly restricted or completely discontinued in the future if reasonable insurance coverage had been possible. A natural hazard insurance is therefore the more reliable and comprehensive solution for protecting against the financial consequences of natural disasters.
Is elementary damage insurance mandatory?
Natural disaster insurance is becoming increasingly important in light of ongoing climate change and the increase in extreme weather events. A key trend is the discussion about a possible mandatory insurance against natural disasters in Germany, aimed at achieving broader coverage for the population and reducing the financial burden on individuals and the state. Technological advancements, such as improved risk modelling and the use of AI, allow for more precise risk assessments and personalised tariffs. Preventative measures and incentives for loss-reducing behaviour are also becoming more significant. Digital insurers like nextsure are taking a leading role by simplifying access to disaster protection and offering transparent, customer-oriented solutions. It is expected that awareness of the necessity of this protection will continue to grow, and innovative products will emerge that can flexibly adapt to changing climatic conditions and customer needs. Consequently, natural disaster insurance is becoming an increasingly important part of risk management for private households.
