A hair-raising story from the Sauerland region

It was an idyllic Tuesday midday in Schmallenberg, nestled in the tranquil Sauerland region. The Becker family had just settled down on their terrace with regional specialties like cured ham and spelt bread to enjoy the peace and quiet. But the tranquility didn't last long. Suddenly, a violent storm rolled in. Force 10 winds swept across the valleys, as if the weather gods themselves had decided to rearrange Schmallenberg's slate roofs.

The little garden gnome "Günther," the family's beloved mascot, took off like a rocket and crashed straight into the neighbor's conservatory. The garden shed, lovingly built by Grandpa Erwin, disintegrated into its individual pieces, scattering them over a two-kilometer radius. And as if the storm hadn't already caused enough chaos, a hailstorm suddenly began, reminiscent of an attack with golf balls. The hailstones, some as big as ping-pong balls, not only smashed through the skylights but also the newly installed solar panels. The family's car, a trusty Passat, looked as if it had lost a boxing match against a professional hail-thrower. The planned barbecue was a washout, or rather, a washout. The Becker family sat gritting their teeth in the cellar, wondering whether this was still the Sauerland region or already the end of the world.

When the wind howls and the world turns upside down: Your storm and hail survival guide

Sometimes it feels like the weather forecast is a personal invitation to Mother Nature to really let loose. Storms and hail aren't just spectacular to look at, they're also masters of destruction. But before your house turns into an open-air museum and your car develops a new pattern of holes, find out here what your insurance can do for you during these stormy times.

Storm damage: When the wind becomes the interior designer (from wind force 8)

A storm with wind force 8 or higher (approx. 62 km/h) is not just a gentle breeze, but a genuine destroyer. It doesn't just whistle through cracks; it also rips off entire roof tiles, uproots trees, or makes whole sheds disappear. It's frustrating when the wind sends your trampoline flying into your neighbor's garden or turns your garden shed into a jigsaw puzzle. Your homeowner's insurance covers damage to the house, while your contents insurance covers damage to your furniture and belongings inside.

Hail: When the sky makes it rain stones

Hail isn't just a harmless rain shower – it's a blizzard of ice. Particularly large hailstones can puncture roofs, shatter windows, dent cars, and destroy entire harvests. The sound of hailstones hitting the roof is similar to a drum concert – only with very expensive consequences. Here, too, homeowners insurance covers damage to the house, and contents insurance Partial comprehensive insurance usually covers damage to the car .