In Switzerland, storm damage only counts as a natural-hazard loss (Elementarschaden) from a wind speed of at least 75 km/h — anything below that is a manufacturer's warranty case or self-inflicted damage. The cover is coupled to fire insurance, has followed nationwide uniform definitions since 1993 (AVO, SR 961.011) and comprises seven natural hazards: flooding, storm, hail, avalanche, snow load, rockfall and landslide. On the free market, the uniform FINMA premium is 0.46 ‰ of the insured value — so for CHF 1'000'000 about CHF 460/year. Earthquakes, rising groundwater and sewer backflow are excluded.
Storm damage is only covered when the wind in the vicinity of the insured object reaches at least 75 km/h AND damage such as uprooted trees or roofs blown off is documented. Insurers check the threshold using the nearest MeteoSwiss station. Weaker winds count as ordinary weather; damage from them falls under maintenance, warranty or all-risk policies. The same 75 km/h rule applies nationwide — in KGV as in GUSTAVO cantons, since Annex 1 AVO is binding for all carriers.
In 19 of 26 cantons a state monopoly provider (cantonal building insurer, KGV) insures all buildings on a mandatory basis against fire and natural-hazard damage — among them AG, BE, ZH and GR. In the seven GUSTAVO cantons Geneva, Uri, Schwyz, Ticino, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Valais and Obwalden there is no cantonal monopoly insurer; the policy is taken out with a private insurer. In four of these (GE, TI, AI, VS) the insurance is even voluntary — but mortgage banks practically always require it as a condition.
The uniform FINMA premium is 0.46 ‰ of the insured value for residential buildings on the free market — for CHF 1'000'000 that is about CHF 460/year; in KGV cantons it deviates slightly. In the private natural-hazard pool, which has existed since 1953, each member retains 15 % of the premiums and pays in 85 %. The maximum benefit is CHF 25 million per policyholder and event, as well as CHF 1 billion for buildings plus CHF 1 billion for movable property — a total of CHF 2 billion per event for all policyholders combined.
Excluded are, among others, storm below 75 km/h, heat and drought, subsidence/ground-settlement damage, rising groundwater without flooding, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. A particularly common misconception: water in the cellar is not a natural-hazard loss if it comes from rising groundwater, defective drainage or sewer backflow — only surface water that has burst its banks or precipitation pooled at ground level is covered. For the remaining water cases a separate building-water insurance (Gebäudewasser-Versicherung) is needed.
For private individuals a deductible (Selbstbehalt) of 10 % of the loss amount applies, at least CHF 500 per event. For storm damage to the roof of CHF 50'000 you therefore bear CHF 5'000 yourself (10 %), and the insurance benefit is CHF 45'000. For commerce and industry, 10 % applies with a minimum amount of CHF 2'500, for agriculture CHF 1'000. In KGV cantons fixed amounts are sometimes possible — the GVZ Zurich, for instance, applies CHF 200 per event for private individuals.
No — earthquakes are explicitly excluded from natural-hazard insurance. There is a separate, optional pool (Erdbebenpool) for earthquake cover with a capacity of CHF 2 billion per event. A dedicated earthquake policy costs, depending on location, CHF 300–1'400/year and is particularly recommended in Valais, in Basel and in Graubünden. The insurance gap nationwide is around 85 % of all buildings.