When there is a natural disaster or other catastrophe, insurers usually extend the deadline for reporting damage. The usual period is between 3 and 7 days, but in cases of disasters, so that people are not hindered and do not have to wait when submitting their claims, most companies extend this period, so people should not worry, explained Nina Kolchakova, CEO of the Bulgarian Insurance Association (ABZ), on BNT’s morning show, commenting on the heavy rains and hailstorms that affected Sofia and several other regions of Bulgaria this week.
Nina Kolchakova advised people to report the damage at the first opportunity and to comply with the instructions given by their insurer, and to be aware of whether they need to wait for an on-site inspection or whether the damage can be paid out based on documents. In critical situations, they should take action to limit the damage, for example, if a window is broken, they should provide temporary coverage. “Insurance companies have different practices – some conduct inspections for all claims, while others pay compensation for smaller claims only based on documents and invoices, without an inspection”, explained Nina Kolchakova. Everything depends on the specific contract – home property insurance policies are not standardized.
Usually, in the case of small local hailstorms in individual settlements, insurance companies require documents from the meteorological service to prove that such an event occurred. In cases such as the one on Tuesday, a special document proving that such a phenomenon occurred is not necessary, because we all know about it and have seen it live or on television, so it is not necessary to prove that it happened.
“Car insurance ("Casco") remains distinctly more popular, but in the last year or two we have noticed a significant increase in interest in home property insurance. Last year, for example, premium revenue from insurance against fire and other natural disasters increased by nearly 25%, but it is important to note that the paid-out compensations increased by 112% compared to 2024”, said Nina Kolchakova. The amount of compensations is growing in terms of sums, but their frequency is growing much more. The reason is the increasing frequency of natural disasters, which is why Nina Kolchakova recommends that people consider protecting their homes.
A representative survey conducted on behalf of the ABZ in May this year showed increased interest in voluntary insurance and a growth in customer confidence in the companies. The share of respondents who have or have had property insurance increased from 16% in 2020 to 31% in 2026.
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