The mixed blessing of shifting responsibilities : Challenges for introducing compulsory elemental insurance in Germany

DOI zum Zitieren der Version auf EPub Bayreuth: https://doi.org/10.15495/EPub_UBT_00008844
URN to cite this document: urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-8844-9

Title data

Plaß, Julia ; Zinn, Jens O.:
The mixed blessing of shifting responsibilities : Challenges for introducing compulsory elemental insurance in Germany.
In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. Vol. 127 (2025) . - 105670.
ISSN 2212-4209
DOI der Verlagsversion: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105670

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Abstract

For a long time, Germany was largely spared from extreme weather events such as flooding. Severe flooding occurred only sporadically and at extended intervals. However, due to climate change, adjustments to more severe and frequent flooding are necessary. This was demonstrated by the Ahr Valley floods in 2021 and the southern German floods in 2024. In response, the introduction of compulsory elemental insurance has been repeatedly discussed to strengthen household resilience. However, the perspective of the (re-)insurance industry on necessary responses to extreme weather events is still underresearched. This study contributes to overcoming this deficit through an interview study with 27 (re-)insurance experts from Germany, exploring their views on the challenges associated with implementing mandatory elemental insurance. According to the experts, three central factors – risk awareness, accessing and understanding data and information, and adaptation measures – shape household resilience and, at the same time, challenge current responsibility distributions. However, shifting responsibility to the insurance industry and households can entail counterproductive effects on household resilience. Instead, more complex approaches involving different stakeholders could be more effective.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
Keywords:	Climate change; Extreme weather; Flooding; Germany; Insurance; Responsibility
DDC Subjects:	300 Social sciences 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences, geology 900 History and geography
Institutions of the University:	Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences > Chair Cultural Geography Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Earth Sciences
Language:	English
Originates at UBT:	Yes
URN:	urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-8844-9
Date Deposited:	03 Feb 2026 11:27
Last Modified:	03 Feb 2026 20:41
URI:	https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/8844

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