A severe hailstorm that struck multiple Swiss regions on Friday has generated a high volume of vehicle damage claims, prompting Zurich Insurance Group to establish an emergency response infrastructure within 20 hours.
The Zurich-based insurer opened its first Hagel Help Point in Winterthur-Seuzach on Saturday, deploying staff to process claims and assess vehicle damage. Martin Weber, Head of Motor Vehicle Claims at Zurich Switzerland, reported a significant influx of customer calls describing dents, shattered windows, and damaged mirrors, with some vehicles rendered inoperable. The insurer mobilized tow trucks and rental vehicles to support affected policyholders.
At the Winterthur facility, damaged vehicles are inspected using a hail damage scanner capable of assessing a car in under a minute. Following the scan, Zurich representatives discuss repair options with customers and initiate claim processing. The automotive repair sector is expected to face sustained pressure, with repair work projected to extend over several months due to the volume of damaged vehicles.
Zurich Switzerland plans to expand its emergency response network by opening additional Hagel Help Points in Olten, the Aargau/Solothurn region, Bülach, and a second Winterthur location within the coming days, according to a company statement.
