Summer storms with hail have caused damage across large sections of Switzerland over the past few days. Costs have reached almost CHF 30 million. Generali has set up drive-ins to offer affected customers help quickly.
The storms, originating from the Volker low pressure area, swept across Switzerland between 20 and 28 June 2021, causing damage in many places. So far almost 4,000 claims have been reported to Generali, with 1,000 claims yesterday alone. The numbers are likely to increase over the next few days, too. The majority of cases are hail damage to vehicles, but there have been reports of damage due to flooding, as well.
Areas most heavily affected included the cantons of Lucerne and Zug, the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds and the municipality of Bulle. The regions of Lucerne, Zug and Zurich saw damage to luxury cars too. Generali Switzerland is anticipating a total cost of damage of roughly CHF 30 million.
Drive-in appointment: register online in just a few minutes
To offer affected customers rapid assistance with damage to their vehicles, Generali set up a drive-in in La Chaux-de-Fonds on Wednesday, 30 June 2021. More are set to follow over the next few days and weeks in Bulle in Fribourg, Heimberg in Bern and Grosswangen in Lucerne. Customers can have the damage to their vehicle inspected and seek advice on any necessary repairs. This usually takes about half an hour. Generali offers a snack and refreshments while the damage is assessed. If requested, we can carry out car repairs there and then. We can also provide customers with a free replacement car during the repair. If immediate repairs are not possible, we will provide customers with compensation. The expert will always select the customer’s best option for repairing the damage.
Generali is doing its best to ensure that no insurance customer will leave the drive-in without knowing the cost of the damage to their vehicle and the next steps to take. Customers can of course also opt to have the cost of the damage paid out. In this case they will receive a compensation offer, and payment will be issued there and then at the drive-in.
Customers can arrange an appointment quickly and easily on the Generali website or by calling 0800 82 84 86. They will be asked to select a date and time. They will receive confirmation by e-mail along with directions to the drive-in.