ICMIF member Ömsen’s Security Package has now been installed in over 5,000 houses, making everyday life safer for many people living in the Åland province of Finland (the autonomous province which the company serves) since 2015. As a result, Ömsen’s costs for stove fires and water damage have decreased as well as the costs for individuals and communities. Until the end of February this year, Ömsen customers were also offered the chance to secure their homes from the most common damages for free.

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, one Åland resident per year died when houses burned down after stove fires. These were tragic events. In addition to the deaths, the cost of the damages amounted to over one million euros in those years. Therefore, Ömsen’s loss prevention department considered how to avoid such deaths and also the spiralling costs.

The idea, called the Safety Package, was launched and started to be installed free of charge in Åland homes that had a homeowner’s insurance with Ömsen.

Over the years, there have been more than 5,000 installations in as many houses in Åland. The houses have had a fireplace guard and a water fault switch installed free of charge. As a result, the cost of damage caused by stove fires has largely disappeared. In addition, the number of water damages and associated costs have also decreased dramatically after the installations. The number of consequential damages caused by leaks from tap water systems has been reduced by 50%, as the water leaks have been detected before they had chance to cause major damage.

“Our Security Package has really developed into something of a success. But most importantly, we have definitely reduced the risk of death when serious fires have been avoided. We have also lowered the water bills for many Ålanders during these years,” said Robert Knahpe, Claims Manager at Ömsen.

Knahpe continued: “I remember one customer in particular who, after a water fault switch was installed, halved his water consumption when it turned out that two toilet seats had been leaking water for years without being noticed, because a leaking toilet seat consumes up to 400 cubic metres of clean drinking water per year.”

The goal at the start of the project was that seven out of 10 houses with a homeowner’s insurance policy in Åland would install the security package.

“We have achieved this goal and it is really inspiring. Now we want more people to install our package before we finish the project. Those Hemöm customers who want to can get free installation until the end of February. So take advantage,” said Robert Knahpe.

Ömsen says it is a pioneer in the field. Now, more insurance companies in both Sweden and Finland have followed this mutual insurer’s example.

Ömsen is the brand name for Åland’s Mutual Insurance Company. The company is a non-life insurance company that insures cars, houses, companies, animals and now also people. The year 2019 saw a big change for Ömsen when it chose to expand its range by going from objects to also offering personal insurance. The range now includes accident insurance, travel insurance, life insurance and the mutual’s very own medical expense insurance Ömsen Hälsa.