PERILS, a Zurich-based catastrophe insurance data provider, has disclosed its initial industry loss estimate for the extratropical windstorm “Nils”, also known as “Ulrike”, noting the event has cost the insurance industry a total of €586 million.
The storm, which peaked on February 12, 2026, combined destructive winds and intense rainfall.
As France experienced its wettest start to a year since systematic measurements began in 1959, the saturated groups led to flooding in Garonne, Dordogne, and Charente river basins. In addition, Nils generated exceptional avalanche risk in the Alps.
Its storm had a very significant impact on infrastructure and physical assets. At its peak, on 12 February, approximately 900,000 households were left without electricity, and transport came to a virtual standstill.
The extreme winds damaged thousands of houses, roofs and light-weight structures and were the main driver of insured losses. For southwestern France, Nils was the most impactful storm since Klaus in January 2009.
PERILS analysts noted that, while the insured losses from Nils can be expected to occur in France around every five to six years, across Europe, the event loss return period is approximately once a year.
This indicates that Nils was not an extraordinary event on a European scale.
Luzi Hitz, Product Manager at PERILS, commented: “Nils’ wind footprint has a striking resemblance to Windstorm Klaus of January 2009. At the time, Klaus caused an industry loss of €1,574 million, while for Nils losses were lower due to less intense wind gusts. Nevertheless, it represents a sizable event for the French insurance market and follows only a little over a month after Windstorm Goretti, which also significantly impacted France.”
He continued: “While Nils not only brought damaging winds but also heavy rain and subsequent flooding, the majority of losses were caused by wind. This is why PERILS has classified the event as a windstorm, as the peril designation for a natural catastrophe is dictated by the peril which causes the majority of the losses.
“While the region affected by Nils was hit one week later by storm Pedro, the event falls outside of the prevailing 72-hours clause for storm event definition for reinsurance purposes in France and as such is not included in our Nils loss number.”
This initial estimate of the insurance market loss is based on loss data collected from the affected insurers. In line with the coverage definition for Europe, this loss number covers the property and motor line of business.
PERILS will release an updated market loss estimate from Windstorm Nils on 13 May 2026, three months after the event end date.
