As the level of water in the world, the cost of damage to buildings due to droughts rises.
In 2022, they should cost between 1.9 and 2.8 billion euros, against an estimate ranging from 1.6 to 2.4 billion previously, according to figures released on Monday by France Assureurs, the federation of the profession.
Unless it is at the bottom of the range, this summer's drought should therefore exceed that of 2003, with its 2.12 billion euros in losses recorded, a record since the creation of the "Natural disasters" regime in 1982. This estimate only includes damage located in municipalities whose state of natural disaster will be recognized, and which will then be considered as consecutive to the drought.
It does not take into account crop damage, which will be covered by specific insurance.
Destabilized foundations
Drought, following a period of humidification, feeds the phenomenon of shrinkage-swelling of clay soils (RGA) which affects a good half of the metropolitan territory, and results in landslides likely to destabilize the foundations of houses .
This peril “is both the most dynamic in terms of development, in particular due to climate change, and the least known”, warned Florence Lustman, president of France Assureurs, quoted in the report.
In France, approximately 54% of single-family homes are located in areas with average or high exposure to RGA.
And 3.3 million homes, or about 16% of the total, are located in high risk areas.
According to a study by the federation published in 2021, the drought in France cost 14 billion euros between 1989 and 2019 and is expected to cost around 43 billion between 2020 and 2050.
Planet
Drought in the Alpes-Maritimes: Water restriction measures extended until December 15
Planet
Climate change: French Polynesia will experience more droughts and marine flooding
Planet
Drought
Global warming
Climate
Insurance