Storm damage claims

The highly localised nature of last Saturday’s storm has caused certain problems with insurance claims.

In just two hours on Saturday afternoon, Arrecife received more than 60 mms of rain (60 litres per square metre) and in Tahiche the amount reached 100 mms. However, the airport’s meteorological station, which is the centre of reference for Spain’s weather agency AEMET, recorded just 10 mms of rainfall. This has led to some insurance companies questioning the damage occasioned by the downpour.

Enrique Espinosa, head of the island’s Emergency Consortium, has said that citizens and businesses can use reports from the island’s Water Council, which have official status.

Citizens can also process insurance requests through the Insurance Compensation Consortium (www.consorseguros.es). This entity has set up the telephone numbers 900-222665 and 952-367042 for those who wish to make inquiries.  The Cabildo held a meeting with an assessor from the Consortium earlier this week.

Damage can also be reported at the Lanzarote Security and Emergency Consortium office, located on Calle Tenderete in Arrecife; by calling 928-804004 or by attending the Ayuntamientos.