Storm damage is classified as damage caused by natural events. Damage caused by natural events refers to instances in which damage is caused by unpredictable forces of nature. In Switzerland, this includes damage caused by: 

• Storms
• Hail
• Avalanches and snow pressure
• Rockslides and falling stones
• Landslides
• Flooding and inundation

Which insurance covers hail and storm damage? 

Has your property been damaged by hail or a storm? If so, we are very sorry this has happened to you and are happy to help. At this stage, you’re quite likely wondering which insurance will cover the damage. This depends on what has been damaged. In short, which insurance policy will cover the damage depends on what has been damaged. 

Hail damage to your car: motor vehicle insurance (partial accidental damage cover)

Hailstones can cause significant damage. If your vehicle has suffered severe hail damage, the resulting dents can be expensive to repair. This kind of damage is not covered by the mandatory motor liability insurance. This is because this insurance only covers the cost of damage to other vehicles – not your own. So, which insurance covers hail damage? 

Partial accidental damage insurance

If you want to make sure you’ve got cover for hail damage to your vehicle, you will need to take out partial accidental insurance in addition to your motor vehicle insurance  or your motor fleet insurance. 

Hail damage with comprehensive accidental damage insurance

Comprehensive accidental damage insurance will fully cover any hail damage to your vehicle because it includes all of the accidental damage cover, and hence hail damage cover, provided under partial accidental damage insurance. 

Hail damage to a leased car

If you are leasing a car, the lease agreement will specify the kind of hail damage cover – i.e. comprehensive or partial accidental damage insurance – you are required to take out. Whatever the requirement, you will be covered for hail damage under both. 

What to do if your car has been damaged by hail

Report the hail damage as soon as possible. This can be easily done using our online claims form. 

Storm or hail damage to a building: buildings insurance

Storm or hail damage to a building is usually covered by buildings insurance, if your particular insurance includes cover for such damage. This includes damage caused by lightning or if a strong gust of wind blew the tiles off the roof. In most cantons, damage caused by natural events will be covered by the cantonal buildings insurance. 

Good to know: buildings insurance requirements differ from canton to canton. While this insurance itself is generally compulsory throughout Switzerland, the cantons of Geneva, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Valais and Ticino are an exception. If you live in any of them, it is not compulsory to take out hail and storm damage cover for your building, but you may still want to do so. The choice of insurance partner is also regulated at cantonal level. If, for example, you live in one of the GUSTAVO cantons, which are Geneva, Uri, Schwyz, Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Valais and Obwalden, you are also allowed to take out private insurance for your building. In all other cantons, it is compulsory to take out cantonal buildings insurance. Generali also offers buildings insurance, both as a basic cover and with the option to add supplementary covers. 

What to do if your home has been damaged by hail or a storm

Report the damage as soon as possible. Ideally, either immediately online or, if urgent, by telephone, so that we can quickly arrange whatever assistance you will need (Generali Claims Hotline: 0800 881 882). When reporting damage, always make sure to have all of the relevant information to hand and to document it in as much detail as possible. Important: please always proceed with care and protect yourself when assessing any damage and cleaning up. Your safety always comes first. 

Hail damage to gardens and outdoor areas: garden cover

Important: storm and hail damage to gardens and outdoor areas is not generally covered by cantonal buildings insurance. To cover it, you will need to take out a separate insurance or private buildings insurance that includes this cover. 

Hail damage to solar panels: usually covered by buildings insurance

If your solar panels are permanently fitted to your building, your buildings insurance will cover any damage to them. This is provided you live in one of the GUSTAVO cantons and have corresponding natural hazard cover. 

 If, on the other hand, you are using portable solar panels, such as those designed for balconies, any hail damage to them will be covered by your household contents insurance, because their repair and replacement is not covered by your buildings insurance.

What to do if your solar panels have been damaged by hail or a storm 

If you have permanently installed solar panels, report the damage to your cantonal or private buildings insurance. If you have portable solar panels, you can easily report any damage to them through our online claims form under your household contents insurance. 

Hail damage to shutters: buildings insurance

In most cases, hail and storm damage to shutters is covered by buildings insurance, but it will depend on whether or not the shutters are permanently fitted to the building. 

What to do if your shutters have been damaged by hail or a storm

You can easily report damage to your shutters using our online forms, either under your buildings insurance if your shutters are permanently fitted to the building, or your household contents insurance for all other types. However, there are also a number of separate cantonal regulations concerning such cover. If in doubt, simply talk to one of our experts.

Storm or hail damage to furniture: household contents insurance

Damage to furniture is covered by household contents insurance. This includes things like storm damage to garden furniture and flood damage to furniture and other possessions.

How to report hail or storm damage to furniture

Report the damage as soon as possible using our online form. In an emergency, you can obviously also always report it by phone (claims hotline: 0800 881 882). If the damage is severe, we will generally be able to provide help and assistance more quickly if you talk to us on the phone. When reporting damage, always make sure to have all of the relevant information to hand and to document it in as much detail as possible. And please remember that your safety always comes first. Please be careful when assessing the damage and clearing it up, and watch out for furniture that could fall over.