PERILS, a Zurich-based catastrophe insurance data provider, has disclosed a reduced loss estimate for extratropical windstorm Nils, also known as Ulrike, of EUR 695 million, which affected the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions in southwest France from 11 to 13 February 2026.
This is the third industry loss estimate for the extratropical windstorm, and compares to the previous loss estimates of EUR 586 million and EUR 767 million issued by PERILS six weeks and three months after the event end date, respectively.
PERILS explained that the estimates cover the property and motor lines of business and are based on loss data collected from affected insurers. The extreme winds were the main driver of insured losses.
Between 11 and 13 February 2026, Southwest France was struck by storm Nils, a severe extratropical cyclone that caused two fatalities, significant disruption, and property damage.
Passing over the Atlantic coast on the evening of 11 February, the storm moved across southwestern France before traversing the Mediterranean to reach Corsica.
To recap, Nils generated the largest event loss of the 2025/2026 European windstorm season, with wind losses causing the majority of the industry loss, as it peaked on February 12th, 2026. During this time, the storm had a significant impact on infrastructure and physical assets.
At its peak, Nils brought a combination of destructive winds, intense rainfall, river flooding, and generated high avalanche risk in the Alps. Approximately 900,000 households faced disruption in power supply, as it damaged thousands of houses, roofs, and lightweight structures.
Luzi Hitz, Product Manager, PERILS, commented, “The European windstorm season 2025/26 witnessed two events which fall under our PERILS CORE coverage: Goretti in January 2026, which we currently estimate at EUR 479 million, and Nils in February, currently estimated at EUR 695 million. In addition, there was Windstorm Kristin in Portugal and Spain in late January 2026, which falls under our PERILS EXTENDED coverage and which we currently estimate at EUR 1,727 million.
He continued, “European windstorm losses are typically dominated by events affecting the British Isles and Western Europe. The 2025/26 season is therefore a rare exception in that the majority of losses occurred in the Iberic Peninsula.”
Aligning with the firm’s reporting schedule, a fourth loss estimate for Windstorm Nils will be published on 13 February 2027, twelve months after the event end date.
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