Rockfall in Blatten confirms the strength of private natural hazard insurance

The rockslide in Blatten (VS) on 28 May 2025 posed major challenges for the affected population, private insurers and the natural hazards damage pool. The total insured loss is estimated at around CHF 255 million. Of this, around CHF 240 million is attributable to damage within the natural hazards damage pool: CHF 210 million relates to building damage, and CHF 30 million to household contents and movable property. A further CHF 15 million relates to insured damages outside the pool, in particular business interruption and motor vehicle comprehensive damages. The natural hazards damage pool is a voluntary association of private insurers to achieve better risk equalisation in the event of natural hazard damage. In addition, , the pool purchases reinsurance protection on behalf of its members on the global market on a joint account basis.

Fast claims settlement thanks to coordinated processes, competition and solidarity

Private insurers provided rapid, straightforward support to those affected in Blatten. Just four months after the event, more than 80 percent of the insured sums for buildings and household contents had been paid out in cases of total loss. This swift support was made possible by clearly defined processes, standardised cover and close coordination within the industry.

Solidarity within the insurance sector played a key role. Insurers whose losses from the Blatten event were below average in relation to their nationwide market share made substantial contributions to the natural hazards damage pool. These funds were passed on to particularly affected companies. In doing so, the natural hazards damage pool fulfilled its core function as a stability and equalisation mechanism in locally concentrated natural events.

2023–2025: GUSTAVO cantons Ticino and Valais particularly affected

Looking back at Blatten provides reason to analyse losses in recent years. The development of pool losses over the past three years shows that the claims pattern was shaped each time by individual major regional events. In addition to the thunderstorm in La Chaux-de-Fonds in July 2023, the two cantons of Ticino and Valais were particularly hard hit. Along with Geneva, Uri, Schwyz, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Obwalden, these are among the so-called GUSTAVO cantons, in which buildings are insured with private insurers. The largest losses were: the hail event in the greater Locarno area in 2023, storms and flooding in Valais and Ticino in 2024, and the rockslide in Blatten in 2025.

Proven system with high macroeconomic significance

The experiences from Blatten and the loss situation in 2025 underscore once again: the system of private, competing natural hazard insurers, with the natural hazard pool as a solidarity-based risk-sharing mechanism, has once again proven its worth. It enables comprehensive coverage against natural hazards at affordable premiums and helps ensure that even rare major events can be handled efficiently. In doing so, it also makes an important contribution to the stability and resilience of the Swiss economy.