Floods: Wüst insists on compulsory insurance for natural hazards

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Flood
Wüst insists on compulsory insurance for natural hazards

Dried mud in the former bathroom of an abandoned house in the Ahr Valley that was destroyed in the flood in 2021 still bears witness to the force of the water masses. photo

© Boris Roessler/dpa

The once-in-a-century flood on the Ahr caused greater financial damage than any previous natural disaster. Prime Minister Wüst proposes compulsory insurance.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU), in line with other federal states, is calling on the federal government to introduce compulsory insurance for natural hazards. “Since natural disasters do not stop at national borders, we urgently need the introduction of compulsory natural hazard insurance agreed between the heads of government of the federal states and the Federal Chancellor,” he told the “Rheinische Post”.

Instead of seeking relief through fund solutions after such events, financial precautions must be taken. He is open about the specific design, but one thing is clear: “It cannot be the case that taxpayers always end up paying the bill. The Chancellor has given his word that the insurance will be implemented. The federal government must no longer fall short of its promises,” criticized the NRW head of government.

In recent weeks, Baden-Württemberg’s Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) has reiterated the call for nationwide compulsory insurance against natural hazards with clear criticism of the federal government. It must be assumed that the flood situation in parts of Germany will again cause billions in damage – and then calls for support will be loud again, he explained.

dpa

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