Constant rain causes water levels to rise: Who really pays for my flood damage?

class = “sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

If heavy rain causes water overflow from banks, flooding of basements, or partial damage to buildings: Which insurance will cover this damage? Building insurance is responsible for any damage to buildings. It occurs in case of damage caused by natural events such as storm, hail, avalanche, landslide, rockfall, rockfall, as well as flood and flood. Building insurance covers any damage that may occur to the building. For example, paying inside the building. B. Defects caused by water infiltration on stairs, wallpaper and floors. Exactly which structural facilities are covered are listed in the general insurance conditions of the policy.

Do all homeowners have such insurance? Almost all: Building insurance is compulsory in most cantons. It is optional only in the cantons of Ticino, Geneva, Valais and parts of Appenzell Innerrhoden.

What about everyday items and furniture in the house? Home contents insurance is responsible for any damage that may occur to movable items in the house, balcony, basement and garden, provided that you have insurance. Household contents insurance is not mandatory.

Does home contents insurance cover the cost of items destroyed in the basement? Yes, such damages are also covered by household contents insurance. But as part of their obligation to mitigate damage, those affected are required to do everything reasonable to save what is stored in the basement from flooding. In the event of damage, those affected must also be able to prove what was stored in the basement and what the value of the materials was.

What happens if household items are insured too much? In this case, the insurance company may reduce benefits. How much of this is handled differently by individual companies. When it comes to home contents insurance, it is highly recommended not to quote too low a value.

If an apartment becomes uninhabitable due to flooding: Will tenants still have to pay rent even if they cannot live in their apartment for months? No, if the apartment becomes temporarily uninhabitable, tenants no longer have to pay interest until they can return to their homes for a reasonable period of time. Only if individual rooms are uninhabitable can the landlord request a temporary rent reduction.

If the apartment is completely demolished and irreversibly destroyed, the lease terminates without compensation or notice.

Who pays for hotel costs or other accommodation costs until the old flat is ready for occupancy again? In principle, those affected must pay these costs themselves. However, many companies cover “additional living expenses” under the “Costs” heading in home contents insurance, and rental savings also need to be taken into account. Whether and how much the insurance will pay depends on the relevant contract provisions.

Are there any damages that are not covered at all? Yes, for example if you missed an important appointment due to road congestion and an order was lost as a result. No one is responsible for such damages.

Can a person who has to cut short his holiday due to damage to his house claim compensation? Travel assistance will cover the cost of an early return trip, provided you have insurance. But there is no money for the lost holiday pleasure.

What should those affected by the storm do? Those affected should immediately report their damage to their insurance companies and try to record the extent of the damage; with photographs, video recordings or sketches and notes (see more about Guider below). The insurance company will send a damage inspector except for minor damages. Home contents insurance usually covers replacement value in the event of natural disasters. The insured must be able to prove the damage amount with invoices and receipts.

Can my employer deduct vacation days from me because I didn’t come to work due to a storm? If an employee does not come to work because the train is not running or the roads are closed, he is not entitled to receive wages for this loss of work. However, if the worker cannot do his job due to the workplace becoming unusable, he has the right to receive wages. In such exceptional cases, the employer may temporarily use its employees for duties other than those agreed in the contract, provided that these substitute duties are reasonable.

If my car is damaged in a storm, will my home contents insurance also pay? No, damage to the vehicle is not covered by household contents insurance, but is covered by comprehensive insurance. It covers damages for which the driver is not responsible, such as fire, theft and natural events. But be careful: Comprehensive insurance is also voluntary insurance. The type and extent of cover depends on the relevant insurance regulations.

If my car is damaged due to river overflow while parked in a public parking lot, will the municipality cover the damage? NO. From a legal perspective, such a storm is a force majeure situation. Neither the municipality nor the property owner can be held responsible.

Who pays the medical expenses of the injured? Employees are insured against work and non-work accidents through their employers. Those who are not working are insured against accidents through health insurance companies.

The employer’s accident insurance covers rescue and recovery costs and any loss of wages.

The situation is different for self-employed people: For example, if a carpenter or baker does not have daily wage insurance, he must cover the loss of income himself.

If I find something valuable while cleaning, can I keep it if I don’t know who it belongs to? No, by law, if the value of the item exceeds ten francs, you must report the find to the police. If the real owner does not appear within five years, you become the owner of the item. The law provides for an appropriate finding fee.

Attention: A person who finds something valuable in a house where he lives or in a public institution (e.g. theatre, sports field, swimming pool, public transport) is obliged to deliver the lost item to the owner of the house or to the supervisory personnel or to the lost person. Real Estate Office. The law does not provide for a finder’s fee in this case.

Can I care for a lost animal if it can no longer find its way home? NO. Anyone who finds an animal must report it to the cantonal civil registry office, regardless of the value of the animal. If the finder keeps the animal he finds, he commits a crime. There are registry offices in each canton. You can find the addresses at www.stmz.ch. If the owner does not contact us after two months at the latest, the person who finds it becomes the owner of the animal.

Source :Blick