UNSAR: 7 out of 10 Romanians feel affected by heat waves and drought in the last year

The effects of climate change are being felt by Romanians, who say they particularly feel threatened by heat waves (43%), drought (25%), storms (12%), floods (3%), and vegetation fires (1%), according to the latest sociological survey conducted by IRES, commissioned by the National Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies in Romania (UNSAR).For the second year in a row, heat waves are showing a significant dynamic in terms of the effects felt by Romanians, with an increase of 10% compared to last year's study."We are exposed to natural disasters and risks generated by climate change. Therefore, making decisions on financial protection solutions against such extreme phenomena should become a priority for each of us," said UNSAR President and CEO Alexandru Ciuncan.According to the same sociological research, in order to mitigate the impact of climate change, both financially and to protect the environment, among the main measures Romanians have resorted to are: the use of energy efficient light bulbs (91%), selective waste collection (86%), recycling reusable materials and the use of biodegradable packaging and bags (81%).The purchase of low energy consumption household appliances is also among the measures mentioned by Romanians (79%), together with the thermal insulation of the home (74%), the use of alternative methods of transport (64%), the purchase or use of a less polluting car (21%), but also the installation of solar panels on the roofs of homes (10%)."The financial protection solutions offered by insurance companies are constantly being updated to meet new customer needs, such as insuring photovoltaic panels mounted on the roofs of homes," added UNSAR specialist in Goods and Property Insurance Alina Barbulescu.Although Romanians are still at the beginning of their interest in installing photovoltaic panels, it is important to note that most UNSAR member companies that issue voluntary insurance for homes also offer solutions for this equipment. Thus, depending on the policy of each company, cover can be identified for both catastrophic risks, but also for fire, lightning, explosion, falling bodies or even accidental damage to these panels.In this context, UNSAR recommends everyone to take advantage of the advice offered by any insurance distributor in order to make the best decision regarding the safety of their home.In Romania, voluntary home insurance can only be taken out for those who are already protected by a compulsory PAD policy. These can insure the dwelling at its real value and for additional risks to catastrophic ones (earthquake, landslide, flood), such as: fire, explosion, falling bodies, floods caused by damage to water, air conditioning, heating installations, as well as other unforeseen situations - floods caused to neighbours, breakdowns of the heating plant, damage to electronic goods/appliances.