Insurance companies paid out around 442 million lei in the first nine months of 2025 for damages caused by fires and natural disasters to homes and property, including those belonging to affected companies, an increase of 42 percent compared with the same period last year.
According to the National Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies in Romania (UNSAR), the growth in claims confirms the rising impact of unforeseen events on insured property.
A significant portion of these payouts was for affected homes. Thus, of the total amounts paid, over 155 million lei went to damages suffered by insured residences, around 20 percent more than the previous year. Most of these payments were made under voluntary insurance policies, which provide extended protection against fires, natural disasters and other unforeseen situations.
"Every day, insurers pay on average more than 570,000 lei just for repairing affected homes. These figures are all the more relevant given that currently fewer than 2 in 10 homes are fully insured against natural disasters and other major risks. Voluntary insurance is the difference between losses that are hard to bear and real support for families," President and General Director of the UNSAR Alexandru Ciuncan said in the release.
The figures highlight both the essential role of insurance in protecting people's property and the need to increase insurance coverage, in a context marked by the growing frequency and severity of extreme events.
"Insurers pay daily for affected homes the equivalent of around 100 average monthly salaries in Romania. Voluntary home insurance cannot prevent extreme events, but it provides financial stability exactly when it is most needed. The rise in claims confirms that these risks are no longer rare," said Alina Barbulescu, the Coordinator of General Insurance Sections at the UNSAR.
In Romania, voluntary insurance can be taken out for homes already protected by the mandatory PAD policy. Voluntary policies offer extended protection, covering the real value of the building and/or possessions. They can cover damages caused by natural disasters, as well as other risks such as fires, explosions, storms, falling objects, flooding caused by failures in water-sewer, air-conditioning or heating systems, boiler malfunctions and damage to electronic or household appliances.
Moreover, a voluntary insurance can also be customised with special coverages depending on the specifics of each home and the needs of each owner. For example, policies can include damages caused to neighbours, photovoltaic panel damage, or even emergency solutions - through the intervention of specialists when required (water/gas/heating system failures, power outages, roof damage, or problems with access systems/elements in the home).
Founded in 1994, the UNSAR represents 22 insurance companies, accounting for over 90% of the local insurance market. Since 2007, the UNSAR has been a full member of the Insurance Europe - the European Insurance and Reinsurance Federation. Insurers in Romania pay out around 6.5 million euros in compensation every calendar day.
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