Debrecen4U July 10, 2025

Those affected by the storm can submit a claim to the municipality

The Municipality of Debrecen will assist people affected by the storm if the damage to their property was caused by the fall or breakage of a tree or branch that is visibly diseased or in poor condition.

Compensation can be requested from the local government at the e-mail address viharkar@ph.debrecen.hu, created for this purpose, if the tree causing the damage is located in public areas and, in addition to the natural dry rot that occurs, has some disease or is visibly in poor condition. 

Due to increasingly extreme weather conditions, it is becoming more and more common for storms of elemental force to tear off branches of healthy trees or even twist them from the roots. It is impossible to prepare for such extreme weather situations even with the most excellent care; therefore, the municipality is not liable for compensation in such cases.

The Municipality of Debrecen, as the owner of the vegetation in public areas and the maintainer of roadside trees forming part of the public road, has liability insurance for damage caused by trees. The property owner, not the municipality, is liable for damage caused by trees located in non-public areas, such as in the yards of apartment buildings or family houses.

In the event of damage caused by a tree in a public area, the insurer will be involved in investigating the clients’ claims, inspecting the vehicles and properties, and assessing the damage caused. If liability is acknowledged, it will stand in place of the local government and pay the amount of compensation.

Suppose the municipality cannot be held liable in a force majeure situation. In that case, the party concerned can only have their vehicle repaired or their property restored by their insurance or at their own expense.

The claim can be reported to the e-mail address viharkar@ph.debrecen.hu, which was recently created for this purpose, with the following content:

· Exact location and time of the damage,

· Name, address, and telephone number of the owner (vehicle operator),

· Copy of the following documents: identity card, vehicle registration, and registration certificate,

· Declaration on the existence of CASCO or other property insurance,

· Brief description of the incident and the damage, including weather conditions and other relevant circumstances,

· Photographs or witness statements (if available) taken in an identifiable environment at the scene of the damage,

· In the event of an official action, its documentation.

After receiving the application, the local government will immediately report the damage to UNIQA Insurance Company, which has a contract with it. At the same time, if any official action has been taken, our local government will ex officio contact disaster protection or possibly the police to send the documents.

The insurance company will contact the storm-damaged party at the telephone number provided in the submitted application to assess the damage to the vehicle or property in question, and a local government employee with appropriate expertise will examine the tree causing the damage on site.

Based on this documentation, the local government declares its acceptance or rejection of liability for damages to the affected party and the insurance company. If the owner municipality is held responsible for the maintenance and care of the tree, then liability will be acknowledged. If a healthy tree caused damage to someone in a force majeure situation, then the local government is not responsible.

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu