It won't surprise anyone any more: Damage from the increase in extreme weather is getting higher and higher. 

By focusing on prevention and awareness, we try to prevent climate damage as much as possible and limit it in the future. With the monitor, the Association contributes to the public debate on the costs of climate change. The monitor provides insight into the risks that consumers and entrepreneurs run: "If we do nothing, it will cost all Dutch people much more. Not only in terms of money, but also in terms of the feeling of security, because the impact of weather damage to your home and your immediate surroundings is enormous." The new KNMI climate scenarios are expected in 2023. Early knowledge of risks can better assist clients in their longer-term decisions.

By adapting to the climate and preventive measures, up to 50 percent of these damages can be prevented! For all initiatives to insure climate-related damage, the Association needs the government. Together, we can raise awareness and prevention among citizens and businesses.

Climate-proof Netherlands

The Netherlands is facing the enormous task of making our country climate-proof, such as adapting buildings and our landscape. This is where the government can make a lot of profit with the financial sector and insurers. For example, by choosing which areas to build on or not, taking into account the water level and the risk of flooding. In areas where construction is possible, this must be done in a climate-adaptive way.

Insurers are happy to use their knowledge about prevention and risks for this. As a permanent discussion partner of the government on the design of the Netherlands, we monitor the (future) insurability of vulnerable areas in the Netherlands. Among other things, the Association participates in the working group on Climate Adaptation for the Financial Sector, together with banks, investors and government parties.

Knowledge development

Knowledge leads to new insights. That is why the Association develops and shares knowledge and expertise with, among others, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI ) and the Institute for Environmental Studies at VU Amsterdam. Prevention and awareness require a cross-sectoral approach.

The Association develops various tools that help to gain insight into climate risks and provide action perspectives.

Tools of the Dutch Association of Insurers

• The Climate Damage Monitor shows the total damage caused by weather extremes such as storms, hail, precipitation and frost to homes, business premises and vehicles. The monitor also informs about low water levels and wildfires due to heat.
• Climate damage insurability infographic makes it clear at a glance which weather damage can be insured and offers prevention tips and tools.
• The insurance card can be found on the website of each insurer. With the map you can see for which (climate) risks you are insured.
• Our extreme weather prevention tips will help you prevent damage caused by severe weather as much as possible.
• The Weather Calendar (exclusively for members of the Association) provides insight into special weather conditions, measured by the KNMI. Claims handlers can view the weather from yesterday to 1950 based on the zip code and claim date. This information helps with efficient claims handling.
• Local Flood Advisory Report (2018)

Tools from other organisations

Together with other organisations, the Association is increasing its understanding of climate risks. The tools below visualise the consequences of climate change and show what you can do about it.

• The Climate Adaptation Knowledge Portal provides a lot of information about the impact of climate change on companies in various sectors and what you can do about it.
• The Framework Climate Adaptive Building Dutch Green Building Council. This framework provides an answer to the question of the risk of flooding for a specific building or area.
• The Climate Impact Atlas zooms in on the consequences of climate change for the Netherlands.
• The climate damage estimator estimates (future) climate damage caused by heat, drought and flooding for each municipality.
• The Land Subsidence Map clearly shows which areas are most vulnerable to land subsidence (the consequences of which are not assured!)
• Amsterdam Rainproof offers a toolbox with concrete measures for the building and the site.
• On its website, Techniek Nederland provides tips against flooding and water damage.
• Rioned has a brochure that describes how the sewer system works, how problems arise and how to solve them.
• VNAB Model Clause Flooding of Non-Primary Flood Defences (2022)

Would you like to know more about what climate change means for non-life insurers and their customers? Watch the webinars:

• Livestream Climate adaptation in field crops (November 2020)
• In Hail Damage and Climate Change , VU researcher Hans de Moel addresses the question of where the risk of hail damage is greatest in the Netherlands (June 2020)
• The climate report 'Head above water, insuring damage in a changing climate' (2017, but still relevant!) provides an overview of trends, bottlenecks and recommendations. The webinar Pumping or drowning? Insurance in a changing climate provides an explanation of this report.