In a grossly uncharacteristic administrative lapse in mid-1980, the Bundestag of the Federal Republic of Germany permitted the country's extended warranty agreement to lapse. This caused a scandal that nearly toppled the government, although in fact the later union with East Germany would have voided the contract anyway. The standard document covers large floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons and tornados. Countries still within their warranty period can automatically obtain repairs should any of these events occur. Unfortunately third-world debt has led many poorer countries to downgrade their coverage, or even let it lapse altogether, and hence they receive no compensation in the event of a catastrophe. Ironically, many countries opted out of hurricane cover but kept earthquake cover, only to suffer very badly during tropical storms. Europe (except Germany and Italy), Canada and Australia are about the only areas of the world still within their original warranty period.