Convective storms in Europe to drive hundreds of millions in losses: Aon

According to broker Aon, the severe convective storm that broke out in western and central Europe between July 6 and 13 was initially expected to cause insured losses of at least hundreds of millions of euros.

The outbreak is expected to generate tens of thousands of claims across affected European regions, according to insurance and reinsurance brokers’ Catastrophe Analysis and Weather Service Impact Forecasts.

Severe convective storms that lasted for several days hit many countries in Western and Central Europe.

According to the broker, damage is reported and expected from massive hail impacts, strong and damaging winds and widespread heavy rainfall.

The convective storms caused “significant damage” to property, vehicles and crops in affected parts of Europe.

Spain and southwestern France were hit between July 6 and 7, with a supercell producing large hailstones up to 8 cm (3.1 in) in northeastern Spain, and another hailstorm hitting central Aragon, with the same cell The largest associated hailstone size was 11 cm (4.3 in) in diameter, while France experienced damaging winds.

From July 9th to 10th, there were storms in France, Germany, the Czech Republic and other places, with hail and strong winds, but the impact was minor.

From July 11 to 13, convective weather further intensified, affecting central-eastern France, southern Germany, Switzerland, and western Austria, with very large hailstones up to 10 cm (3.9 in).

In addition, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, northern Serbia, Romania and western Hungary were also affected.

In Spain, the agricultural sector is expected to experience significant insured losses, while personal risk losses are also expected to be large, such as a car factory in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, where more than 1,000 vehicles were damaged by hail.

Commenting on the severe convective storms in Europe, the Aon Impact Forecast explained: “The recent severe convective storm weather in several countries in Europe is likely to cause significant economic and insurance losses. Several large hailstones hit multiple population centers, coupled with strong winds​​​​ and the significant impact of heavy rainfall, at least tens of thousands of claims and hundreds of millions of euros in damages were initially expected.”