Will my house become uninsurable because of climate change in Germany?
In short
Will my house become uninsurable because of climate change in Germany? Very probably not. Insurers say around 99 percent of buildings can be insured against natural hazards. It does get dearer: in the highest flood class, natural hazard cover costs over EUR 1,000 a year. Around 41 percent of homes have no such cover at all, and that is the real risk.
Published natural hazard premiums for a detached house in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Flood class 1
about EUR 90 to 290 a year
Flood class 2
about EUR 240 to 650 a year
Flood class 4, highest risk
about EUR 1,100 to 2,100 a year
Building insurance with natural hazard cover in total
about EUR 600 to 2,900 a year
As of October 2026, from published examples and insurance industry data.
How much protective measures lower the premium is a guide value from our quoting practice;
we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
House in class 2 after heavy rain
A detached house suffers EUR 18,000 of heavy rain damage in the basement. The insurer pays and cancels. The owners fit a backflow valve and apply again.
Previous natural hazard module
about EUR 300 a year
Backflow valve fitted
about EUR 1,000 to 2,000
New offer with EUR 1,000 excess
about EUR 450 to 600 a year
The house stays insurable, but costs more. Amounts are guide values from our quoting practice.
Why your house stays insurable
Over 90 percent of addresses are in the lowest flood class, where natural hazard cover (Elementarschadenversicherung) usually costs under EUR 300 a year. Classes 3 and 4 still get offers, often with a high excess or after individual review.
Today a house mainly becomes uninsurable after repeated flooding with no protection in place. One insurer's refusal does not bind the others.
What climate change does to the price
Natural hazards now make up about a quarter of claims costs in residential building insurance. That affects all premiums, not just homes by rivers. Heavy rain can happen anywhere, so premiums rise even far from water.
On top comes the yearly adjustment for building prices. If you have not compared your contract for years, you often pay more than needed without better cover.
Flood class
Natural hazard cover per year
Location
Class 1
about EUR 90 to 290
more than nine in ten addresses
Class 2
about EUR 240 to 650
flooding less than once in 100 years
Class 3
about EUR 1,300 to 1,500
flooding every 10 to 100 years
Class 4
about EUR 1,100 to 2,100
at least every 10 years
The risk after a claim
After an insured event both insurer and customer may cancel, the insurer with one month's notice, under Section 92 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG). If you are cancelled after a flood, you then look for new cover with a prior claim.
So never cancel yourself before new cover is confirmed. Keep proof of protective measures ready; it improves your chances with a new request.
What you can do to keep the house insurable
A backflow valve, raised light wells and tight basement windows lower the risk, and insurers ask about them. In new builds and renovations it matters whether heating and electrics sit above the possible water line.
If you have no natural hazard cover today, take it out while the house is claim free. After the first heavy rain your position is much weaker.
Step by step
Ask for the flood class of your address.
Check whether your policy includes natural hazard cover.
Document protective measures with photos.
Ask several insurers, ideally with individual review.
Cancel the old contract only once the new one is confirmed.
Checklist
Natural hazard cover including flooding and backflow
Excess chosen deliberately
Backflow valve fitted and maintained
Sum insured up to date
Claim free history documented
Common mistakes
Only looking for natural hazard cover after the first claim
Giving up after one refusal
Cancelling the old contract before the new one is confirmed
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
May my insurer cancel after storm damage?
Yes, under Section 92 VVG with one month's notice, within one month after settlement.
Is compulsory natural hazard insurance coming?
It is planned.
As of September 2026 no draft law has been published.
Will the state pay if I am not insured?
There is no legal right to that.
Bavaria, for example, has not granted emergency aid since 1 July 2019.
Will homes in hot regions become uninsurable?
No.
Heat and drought are not insured perils in building insurance, so they do not affect insurability.
Can a broker help after a refusal?
A broker can approach several insurers with individual review.
Norman Nammert acts as an insurance broker, free of charge for you.
