The article reports that DECO, Portugal's consumer protection organization, has received over 500 inquiries and complaints related to insurance policies, primarily due to damages caused by recent severe weather events. Consumers are experiencing difficulties with insurance claims, including delays and refusals, highlighting concerns about insurance companies' responsiveness and coverage adequacy during extreme weather. The surge in complaints underscores the need for clearer communication and better consumer protection in the face of increasingly frequent adverse weather conditions in Portugal.
The Portuguese consumer organization Deco received over 500 inquiries and complaints regarding insurance companies following recent severe weather events across Portugal. Many requests focused on coverage limits, deductibles, and indemnity caps, while complaints highlighted delays in claims processing, assessment reports, and payout calculations. Despite insurers' efforts to respond quickly, about 95,000 of 115,000 claims remain unresolved, with issues such as reduced indemnities and exclusions for damages like solar panels, walls, gardens, and land subsidence. Deco advocates for establishing a guarantee fund for climate and seismic risks to better protect consumers.
The Portuguese consumer protection organization Deco received over 500 inquiries and complaints related to insurance claims following recent severe weather events across the country. Many requests focused on coverage limits, deductibles, and indemnity amounts, while complaints highlighted delays in assessments and payout processes. Despite efforts by insurers to respond quickly, only about 20,000 of 115,000 claims have been resolved, with ongoing issues such as acceptance of lower indemnities and exclusions for certain damages like solar panels, walls, gardens, and land subsidence. Deco advocates for establishing a government-backed fund for climate and seismic risks, proposing legislation to include coverage for extreme weather phenomena in multi-risk insurance policies.
More than 100,000 claims have been submitted to insurers following the bad weather affecting Portugal, the Portuguese Insurance Association (APS) revealed on Saturday (14). According to the association, 'over 100,000 claims have been reported, half of which were communicated just in the last week.' The APS added that about 75% of the cases have already undergone initial assessment, advance payment, or total or partial payment, or are awaiting documentation for completion. Cases still without assessment are mainly due to 'access issues to locations, flooded or blocked roads, or claims made very recently.' The association emphasizes that insurers have been on the ground 'since the first hour of January 28,' with multidisciplinary teams including 'hundreds of experts, supporting their clients in close collaboration with the affected municipalities.' The commitment made to the government to carry out 80% of assessments within 15 days of the claim 'is being fully met — and even exceeded,' the APS also stated. During a visit to Alcácer do Sal, one of the municipalities most affected by the floods, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa mentioned that he spoke with the association's president and that, so far, 'about 100,000 claims had been received, of which 12,000 have been processed.' The storms Kristin, Leonardo, and Marta caused 16 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and significant material damage, especially in the Central, Lisbon, Tejo Valley, and Alentejo regions. The government has extended the state of calamity until Sunday in 68 municipalities and announced support of up to 2.5 billion euros.
Following severe weather conditions in Portugal, over 100,000 insurance claims have been submitted, with 75% already assessed. Insurers have processed only 12,000 claims so far, as many are hindered by access issues. The government has extended the state of calamity in affected areas and pledged significant financial support.
Deco Proteste announced today that it has set up a telephone helpline to assist consumers affected by severe weather and to answer questions about payment moratoria, insurance, housing damage and service billing adjustments.
The assessment of the costs of low-pressure system Kristin is already being carried out on the ground; some insurers are already paying out for less severe damage without requiring inspections, and the Government has announced a set of measures to support the population and businesses in the 69 municipalities declared in a state of calamity. But the weather gives no respite. This ...
Storm Kristin caused damage mainly in the centre of the country and has so far resulted in at least five fatalities. From Wednesday to Sunday evening, Generali Tranquilidade registered more than 3,000 claims notifications, “which represents an increase of about ten times compared with normal levels”, they told ECOseguros. ...
In the middle of a storm it’s always hard to get organised. However, you should bear in mind a few tips to gather documentation and evidence, whether or not you have insurance for the damage caused by this increasingly frequent weather event.
Multi-risk home insurance policies usually cover storms and natural phenomena, but you must check all the clauses carefully. For motor vehicles, compulsory third-party liability insurance does not cover this type of damage.
The president of the Portuguese Insurers Association (APS) confirmed on Sunday that, regarding the effects of Storm Kristin, companies 'aim to complete 80% of damage assessments for reported claims within 15 days of their notification', reinforcing the promise made by the prime minister after the extraordinary Council of Ministers to decide the ...
Storm Kristin, which has already caused five deaths and left a trail of devastation in the centre of the country, has triggered a spike in claims that is testing the insurance sector's response capacity, with insurers trying to cope with the exceptional volume of claims notifications. Overall, insurers operate with teams ...
If Storm Kristin has damaged your home, car or other possessions, act quickly and methodically to activate your insurance cover. First secure people and property, photograph and timestamp all damage, and make temporary repairs where necessary to prevent further loss. Notify your insurer as soon as possible, check your policy for cover, excesses and time limits, and keep a written record of every contact and expense. For vehicles follow insurer guidance about repairers and avoid admitting liability; for homes document building and contents separately and retain receipts for emergency repairs. Common mistakes to avoid include delayed reporting, inadequate evidence, disposing of damaged items, using unapproved contractors without consent, and agreeing on settlements without written confirmation—knowing your consumer rights and the insurer complaints process will help if disputes arise.
Insurers must pay compensation for customers with policies that cover storm damage even in areas where a State of Calamity has been declared, according to the Civil Protection Framework Law. Article 61 of the law considers 'null and void, producing no effects, the clauses inserted in insurance contracts aiming to ...'
Rui Silva, spokesperson for the Association of Insurance Agents and Brokers, explains that the first step should be 'gather evidence, take photographs' and then 'get in touch with the insurance company'.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro emphasised on Thursday the role of insurance companies among the means available to mitigate the effects of depression Kristin, which has been striking the country over the past two days. “At this stage of mobilising repair resources we have the experience of insurance companies that have shown solidarity by speeding up the mechanisms of ...”
Only around 25% of Portugal’s properties and infrastructure are insured against natural disasters, a weakness exposed by a recent week of severe storms. Material damages are still being assessed while major multi-risk insurers — notably Fidelidade, Generali Tranquilidade and Ageas — are accelerating claims handling on the ground. The low insurance penetration highlights underinsurance and significant fiscal and economic exposure, creating both reputational and commercial opportunities for insurers to expand coverage. Analysts say the event underscores the need for faster claims processes, clearer public–private risk-sharing mechanisms, targeted incentives to raise uptake, and investments in resilience and risk mapping as climate-driven extreme weather becomes more frequent.
Portugal is taking stock this Wednesday of the damage caused by Storm Kristin. The weather phenomenon crossed the country with strong gusts of wind, even causing the deaths of four people — three in Leiria and one in Vila Franca de Xira — and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Uprooted trees, damaged vehicles and ...
Insurers tallied a total of €31 million in damage caused by Storm Cláudia, which hit Portugal in November, according to data released by the Portuguese Insurers Association (APS).
