Snow in Bavaria: Who pays for the damage? – Business

The onset of winter with deep snow is romantic for some or is used directly for tobogganing and building snowmen. For most people, the masses of snow are above all annoying – and for many people they are also associated with material damage. Canceled trains and flights, damage to buildings, car accidents: a lot comes together.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) expects that there will be delays and train cancellations in southern Germany until midweek. The greater area around Munich Central Station is particularly badly affected; it is still only accessible to a limited extent, according to the railway company on its website.

In view of the Snow chaos The train connection for travel in southern Germany has been lifted until December 5, 2023. Customers who wish to postpone their journey can use the ticket at a later date. The railway recommends scheduling the trip from Wednesday, December 6th, as the trains are very busy at the beginning of the week. According to Deutsche Bahn, there is no time limit. The trip can also be rescheduled in two months.

If it is foreseeable that there will be a delay of more than 60 minutes upon arrival at the destination, ticket holders can also cancel the trip completely and have the full fare refunded. If the booked train is canceled, the full price will also be refunded. This also applies if the passenger broke off the journey en route and returned to the station of departure. If customers only drive part of the route but do not return, they can get a refund for the unused route.

The basic rule for delays is: If it turns out at the destination that the train was delayed by 60 minutes or more, passengers receive compensation of 25 percent of the purchase price paid for the one-way journey. If the delay is more than two hours, the train will refund 50 percent.

If there is a foreseeable delay of 20 minutes, customers can continue their journey at a later time or take another train – which does not require a reservation, explains a DB spokeswoman. However, if you have a local transport ticket for a regional express and want to use the ICE, you must first buy an ICE ticket and then have it reimbursed via the Passenger Rights Service Center. However, this does not apply to the Deutschlandticket and other heavily discounted tickets.

Airline passengers are entitled to compensation of between 250 euros and 600 euros if the flight is canceled or is delayed by more than three hours. Airlines refuse to pay if they believe there have been exceptional circumstances. This is certainly the case if the airport is closed. Things look different when machines from other companies take off and land as planned. The customer then has the prospect of compensation. If the delay is two hours or more, the airlines have to take care of food and possibly even overnight accommodation.

When it comes to houses, homeowners insurance alone is not enough

The masses of snow also cause major damage to buildings. Snow pressure can seriously damage roofs. This is a case for homeowners insurance. However, this only pays if the homeowner has also taken out elemental protection cover as a paid extension. “Snow pressure is not included in normal residential building insurance, but needs the elementary insurance extension,” explains Philipp Opfermann from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center. It also covers damage caused by heavy rain or flooding.

“The property owner is forced to clear snow,” says Opfermann. An owner of apartment buildings should protect themselves with property liability insurance. He could pass this obligation on to the tenant. If the tenant does not comply with this obligation and a pedestrian is injured, this becomes a case for the tenant’s personal liability.

If a roof avalanche damages a car or injures pedestrians, everything depends on whether the homeowner culpably breached their duty of care or not, explains a spokesman for the Bavarian Insurance Chamber. If he is not at fault, liability insurance will pay to defend against claims. If he has to pay compensation, he has liability coverage.

The police are also reporting numerous car accidents nationwide in which bad weather plays a role. Drivers have to pay attention to their tires: “There is no requirement to have winter tires. But I have to make sure that I have suitable tires on the road, otherwise there is an increased risk,” advises Opfermann. Otherwise, you could be stuck with the damage you caused – or the insurer will check whether the amounts paid can be demanded back from the insured person in part or in full.