Media release ,  16.8.2024

Hail damage in the canton of Bern – Generali opens a drive-in for vehicle damage assessment

• Summer hailstorms caused severe damage in the Bern region in recent weeks. Generali has set up a drive-in in Worben BE where affected customers can take their vehicles to receive help quickly on site 
• Tips on how to behave and protect yourself and your property when hail is forecast

Adliswil – After the heavy thunderstorm in the Bern region, Generali is opening a drive-in to provide fast service for hail-damaged vehicles. Customers can have their vehicle damage inspected and seek advice on any necessary repairs. Generali offers snacks and refreshments while you wait. Those affected will receive a repair recommendation or compensation offer. The experts suggest the best, most environmentally friendly and most cost-effective way to repair the damage. The drive-in in Worben BE will be open daily from 20-23 August from 08.00-17.30.

Generali promises that no insurance customer will leave the drive-in without knowing the cost of the damage to their vehicle and the next steps to take. Customers can, of course, also opt to have the cost of the damage paid out. In this case, they will receive a compensation offer, and payment will be issued there and then at the drive-in. Appointments can also be made directly with our repair partners.

Drive-in fully booked / online claims notification in just a few minutes

Customers from the Bern region were informed about the drive-in by Generali shortly after the storm. The drive-in is now fully booked. Anyone affected by hail damage is asked to report their claim to Generali as usual, quickly and easily via the Generali website or by phone on 0800 82 84 86.

What to do in a hailstorm

Hailstones are pure ice. They can reach speeds of up to 70km/h, vary between the size of a cherry pit and a tennis ball and can cause significant damage to homes and cars. Generali recommends the following action in the event of hail:

• Seek shelter and get yourself, other people and animals to safety to avoid injury.
• If possible, park the car and other vehicles in a garage or covered car park.
• If you are driving, reduce your speed or stop in a safe place.
• Close all doors, windows, skylights and other roof openings at home, and take care with windows in your loft.
• Retract plastic shutters, awnings and sun blinds as window glass is usually more resilient than plastic; wooden or folding shutters, however, are unlikely to be damaged by hail.
• Secure or bring loose garden items into the house as they are otherwise not covered by most insurance policies.
• Once the storm has passed, clear clogged drains and gutters of hailstones, leaves and branches to prevent water from entering the building.

Following the tips above should help avoid or mitigate many types of damage. However, Generali emphasises that the safety of people is the top priority and should always be ensured first.