Severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail over the weekend have inflicted substantial damage on horticultural businesses, with North Rhine-Westphalia being one of the worst-affected regions. Initial assessments indicate that the total losses are likely to be in the seven-figure range.
On Saturday, 31 May 2025, intense weather systems characterized by heavy thunderstorms, torrential rain, and hail swept across large parts of North Rhine-Westphalia. The southern half of the state and the Lower Rhine region bore the brunt of the storm.
As of now, the horticultural mutual insurance provider Gartenbau-Versicherung has received damage reports from over 100 businesses. Outdoor crops such as calluna and perennials have been particularly devastated. Greenhouses have also suffered significant damage, with two major cases involving widespread destruction of glazing. Preliminary estimates suggest that the total losses will reach into the millions.
“Our members are facing enormous financial and emotional challenges in the wake of such events, whether due to destroyed crops, damaged greenhouses, or disrupted planned deliveries,” said Dennis Hölzer, Head of National Sales at Gartenbau-Versicherung. “Our aim is to support them quickly and with minimal bureaucracy.”
Since the weekend, risk assessors from Gartenbau-Versicherung have been working across the affected regions to conduct damage assessments as swiftly as possible. This is crucial to ensure rapid claims settlement and compensation payments.
Gartenbau-Versicherung is maintaining close contact with the affected member businesses and is prioritizing the processing of these claims.
