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Compensation for the flooding of the Maas in January 2011

Press release | 12-07-2011

Between 7 and 12 January of this year, the flooding of the Maas in Limburg caused damage to household furniture, infrastructure and businesses. Under the Disasters and Serious Accidents (Compensation) Act (Wet tegemoetkoming schade bij rampen, Wts) the victims will be entitled to compensation for damage suffered and costs incurred.

Regulations have been drawn up, providing a basis for victims to claim such compensation. These Regulations were published today in the Government Gazette.

Area of damage

The area of damage has been determined to run from the national border in Eijsden to the Koninginnebrug near Well. It has been defined as the area lacking regulatory water defences (such as quays and dike rings) as of yet, where water levels have been measured that exceed the high water levels caused by a river stream flow with an average chance of occurring of less than 1/10 per year. Only victims in this area will be eligible for compensation of any damage suffered and costs incurred. The damage has not occurred throughout the winter bed. The National Service for the Implementation of Regulations will assess each separate application to determine if the victim is entitled to compensation.

Victims and categories of damage and costs

The Regulations differentiate between five categories of victims: (1) private persons (2) businesses, (3) public bodies, (4) religious communities, associations and foundations, and (5) associations and foundations maintaining a health care institution or an enterprise. For each category a threshold amount, categories of damage and costs and compensation percentages have been determined. Not all damage and costs will be eligible for compensation; for example, reasonably insurable damage is excluded.

For private persons, the amount of compensation for damage to a dwelling, house trailer or house boat will be 90% of the damage. For damage to household furniture, a maximum sum of € 30,740 has been set. No compensation will be paid in excess of that sum.

Victims will have six weeks to report their damage and costs to the National Service for the Implementation of Regulations. Subsequently, the damage will be assessed and the victims will receive the formal application form from the assessor. The moment of submitting the application form to the National Service for the Implementation of Regulations will be considered the formal start of handling the application: a decision on the granting of compensation will be provided within 13 weeks after receipt of the application.