What to Do If Your Home Is Damaged by a Typhoon? A Guide to Damage Assessment, Insurance Claims, and Reconstruction Subsidies
After typhoon-related home damage, take photos for evidence before filing a report. Coverage differs between home property insurance and policy-based rural housing insurance. This guide provides a comprehensive analysis of dangerous building assessments and reconstruction subsidy procedures.
Step 1: Ensure Safety Before Assessing Losses
When returning home after a typhoon, first check structural safety. Do not enter buildings with through-wall cracks, broken beams or columns, or foundation subsidence; immediately report to your village or neighborhood committee to apply for a dangerous building assessment. If the roof has been blown off but the structure remains intact, prioritize temporary covering to prevent secondary damage from rain. Be cautious of slippery roofs after rainfall; always use safety ropes for work at heights or hire professionals.
Chain of Evidence: The Key to Successful Claims
- Take photos and videos immediately: Capture panoramic views of the damage, close-up details, and indoor property one by one, ensuring time stamps are visible.
- Do not rush to clean up or repair: Preserve the scene until loss assessment is complete. If emergency handling is necessary, record the entire process on video first.
- Keep purchase receipts, renovation contracts, and invoices for major appliances (if invoices are missing, photograph the brand and model numbers).
- Report within 48 hours: File reports simultaneously with both your insurance company and your village/neighborhood committee.
Which Insurance Policies Cover Home Damage?
| Insurance Type | Coverage Scope | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Home Property Insurance | Main structure + Indoor contents | Typhoons are typically covered perils; pay attention to exclusions such as flooded basements |
| Policy-based Rural Housing Insurance | Main structure of rural self-built houses | Government-backed bulk insurance in many typhoon-prone provinces; coverage limits are modest but generally cover the basic reconstruction gap |
| Catastrophe Insurance | Pilot programs in select provinces/cities | In Guangdong, Zhejiang, etc., government-triggered payouts apply under typhoon catastrophe index insurance |
| Mortgage Home Insurance | Mortgaged properties | Often required by banks; carefully review beneficiary clauses |
Whether garages, perimeter walls, solar panels, and external air conditioning units are covered is a frequent source of claim disputes; clarify this when purchasing insurance.
Government Aid and Reconstruction Subsidies
- Subsidies for Rebuilding Collapsed or Damaged Homes: The civil affairs (emergency management) system provides tiered subsidies based on whether homes have collapsed, suffered severe damage, or general damage. Apply through your village or neighborhood committee.
- Homes assessed as Grade C or D dangerous buildings may qualify for inclusion in the Rural Dangerous House Renovation program.
- Disaster victims can apply for transitional living assistance and temporary resettlement (placement/shelter).
Common Disputes and Pitfalls to Avoid
- The "Wind Damage vs. Water Damage" debate: Some policies cover wind damage but exclude flooding. When describing the cause of the incident, be truthful yet precise (clearly explain the full chain of losses caused by typhoon winds and rain).
- If there is a significant disagreement over the assessed loss amount, you can request a third-party loss adjustment or file a complaint with the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC).
- Beware of post-disaster intermediaries promising "guaranteed claims" who charge high commissions; filing an insurance claim is a free statutory service.