Answer: The risk is defined as the probability of coastal erosion or flooding and the consequential damage from such events. The risk is stated in DKK per year. In other words, assessing the risk includes calculating the probability of an erosion or flood event as well as the amount of damage. “Damage” is a very broad concept here, including also e.g. loss of a sense of security.

Answer: It is up to the individual landowner whether he wants to protect himself against flooding or erosion, and landowners themselves are responsible for paying for coastal defences. There are no laws or regulations determining whether defences should be established, and, if so, the level at which the individual landowner must protect himself. In special cases, the municipality may decide that defences must be established and who is to pay for them.

Answer: Flooding following a storm surge can cause enormous damage, and often this type of damage is not covered by ordinary Danish home insurance. A special storm surge council (Stormrådet), however, can pay compensation for damage caused by a storm surge. Stormrådet consists of representatives from Danish municipalities, ministries, insurance companies and the Danish Consumer Council. Stormrådet decides where and when an event is considered a storm surge, who can receive compensation, and the size of the compensation. Compensation will however never cover 100 per cent of the damage repair expenses incurred by the home owner. The home owner files the claim with his own insurance company, which then submits the claim to the Stormrådet which makes the final decision on compensation.