Prevention and management of natural risks are essential to ensure the safety of people, housing and goods. We all play an important role in preparing for these situations. Know how to protect yourself better, betting on anticipation.
© Allianz
26/06/2026
by
News to Minutes
Rit is the popular wisdom that “robbered house, locks at the door”. And the truth is that it is often the same: it is only after things happen that we provide measures to prevent them from happening again. But what if we had acted in advance and guarded these situations? We would most likely have more to gain than (sometimes literally) have to chase the damage.
We are talking about a variety of circumstances in which this reasoning can apply, but in particular of weather which, by its unpredictable nature, can occur at any time with consequences whose impact can be truly catastrophic. Prevention and management of natural risks are therefore essential to protect people, homes and heritage, and we can all (we must!) be better prepared. Playing safe can really make a difference, and the first line of defense is in the knowledge, prevention and adoption of responsible behaviors.
With this paradigm present, there are prevention plans that insurers make available, as is the case with Allianz, which help customers know exactly how to act:
Storm Prevention Plan
Prevention Plan for Strong Winds
Flood Prevention Plan
Fire Prevention Plan
These contents are available on Allianz's website and are also shared with customers in risky situations, acting as practical guides.
But, after all, what is the difference between risk, danger and prevention? Being interconnected, concepts end up confusing. The danger is the source of potential damage, while the risk is the probability of this damage being confirmed, considering exposure to danger. Prevention consists of measures taken to reduce or control the risk.
The main natural risks in Portugal
Returning to extreme weather phenomena, we have recent examples in Portugal, such as the succession of storms that hit the country last February, leaving a trail of destruction especially in the West Region. This, not to mention the fires that all summers ravage the territory from North to South. 2025 was the second worst year of the decade in burned area in the national territory, and 2017 remains marked in the collective memory by the national tragedy in double dose – in June in Pedrógão Grande, and in October in the Central Region.
Moreover, it is also known that Portugal, given its position on the tectonic plate, is particularly exposed to the seismic risk – remember the great earthquake of 1755 that almost annihilated Lisbon. And experts are permanent: an event with these characteristics will repeat itself, only it is not known when.
The main risks to which the country is subject are precisely rural and urban fires; floods and floods; storms and extreme wind phenomena; and earthquakes. Let us look more closely at each other.
They are caused by high temperatures, drought, strong wind and also by human action (negligence or arson).
They are more frequent in the interior center and north of Portugal, especially in forest areas.
They cause destruction of forests and natural habitats; damage to housing and infrastructure; loss of human and animal lives; and air pollution.
2. Floods and floods
They result from intense rains, rivers overflowing or inability of drainage systems.
They are more frequent in riverside areas and urban areas of large cities, as well as in river valleys.
They cause damage to homes, roads and vehicles; they interrupt services and transport; in addition to the risk of population safety and economic losses.
3. Storms and extreme wind phenomena
They are caused by atmospheric depressions, pressure differences and unstable air masses.
They affect more the Portuguese coast and mountainous regions, where the wind can reach greater intensity.
They are responsible for falling trees and structures; damage to buildings; cuts in electricity and communications; disturbances in transport.
4. Sismus
They are caused by the movement of the tectonic plates and the release of energy accumulated within the Earth.
Southern Portugal, the Lisbon region and the Azores archipelago are the areas most exposed to seismic risk.
They cause the collapse of buildings and infrastructure; wounded and fatalities; interruption of essential services and exacerbate the possibility of tsunamis in coastal areas.
In anticipating is the gain
© Allianz
For any of these natural risks, there are small actions in everyday life that can generate a great (and positive) impact.
The preparation of the house – cleaning of land, maintenance of roofs, drainage systems – is one of them, as well as the adoption of preventive behaviors before, during and after extreme events, or careful monitoring of warnings from authorities (IPMA, Civil Protection, Government, Presidency of the Republic, etc.).
Insurance functions as a financial protection mechanism, and it is essential to know the coverage that it covers. Prevention and protection must therefore be complemented: one does not exclude the other and, on the contrary, must coexist, thus mitigating the consequences that certain natural phenomena may entail.
Technology may still have an important say in what anticipation in practice concerns. Also at the technological level Allianz has been strengthening solutions that enable customers to anticipate risks and better protect, including through the NAT CAT (Natural Catastrophes) initiative, which monitors extreme atmospheric phenomena and enables customers to be given personalized preventive alerts where there is a relevant risk in their areas of residence. On this page, it is explained how these alerts work and how they help customers to act in good time, reducing potential damage.
Security is one of the greatest assets we can have – and we can provide our own – and under no circumstances should it be neglected. Don't forget: preparing today can make all the difference tomorrow.