Does insurance cover typhoon flooding damage? A complete analysis of the claim scope and application process of residential fire insurance "Typhoon Flood Insurance"

Does your insurance really cover the losses caused by the typhoon?

Every year after typhoons, many homeowners in Taipei and New Taipei feel heartbroken when they look at the soaked wooden floors, moldy decorations and damaged home appliances. At this time, many people thought: "I have residential fire insurance. I should be able to apply for a claim, right?" Then they took out the policy and took a look, only to find that things are not that simple.

In Taiwan, banks will require residential fire insurance (basic insurance) when buying a house and applying for a mortgage. However, basic residential fire insurance coverage mainly covers accidents such as "fire, explosion, and lightning strikes". Losses caused by typhoons, earthquakes, and floods are usually not covered by the basic insurance. To be compensated for typhoon losses, you need to purchase additional insurance "Typhoon and Flood Compensation Supplementary Insurance".

Basic Residential Fire Insurance vs. Typhoon Flood Additional Insurance

What exactly does the typhoon flood additional insurance cover?

The terms and details of each insurance company are slightly different, but generally speaking, the scope of claims for typhoon and flood additional insurance includes:

• Damage to the building body: The strong winds of the typhoon broke the door and window glass, the roof was lifted, and the exterior walls were damaged, etc.
• Indoor damage caused by rain/flood intrusion: Wooden floors are soaked in water and deformed, wall decorations are damaged, ceilings collapse, etc.
• Loss of personal property: Furniture and home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, etc.) were damaged by water or rain
• Cleaning costs: Costs of sludge removal, disinfection and cleaning after flooding

It should be noted that most policies have a "deductible", usually NT$10,000 to NT$20,000. In other words, the part of the loss that is lower than the deductible must be absorbed by yourself, and the excess part will be compensated by the insurance company.

Common claims denial situations

In the following situations, even if you have typhoon and flood additional insurance, the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim:

1. Preventable losses:For example, if the windows are obviously old and broken but are not repaired, or rainwater pours in during a typhoon - the insurance company may claim that you failed to fulfill your duty of care as a "good manager".
2. Car damage caused by flooding in basement parking lots: Residential fire insurance usually only covers buildings and "indoor" personal property, not cars parked in basements. Typhoon damage to your car depends on your car insurance (natural disaster clause of car insurance).
3. Pure wall cancer and mold: Wall cancer and mold are usually classified as "natural aging" or "maintenance issues" and are not "sudden damage" directly caused by typhoons. Unless it can be proven that new leaks were caused by the typhoon.
4. Late Filing: Most policies provide for notification to the insurance company within a certain period of time after an accident occurs (usually 5 to 30 days). Failure to apply within the deadline may result in rejection.

Correct steps and evidence-producing techniques for claiming claims

1. Take pictures early to save evidence: Before doing any cleanup, use your mobile phone to take photos and videos of the damage scene from multiple angles. When taking photos, be sure to include a full view (you can see which room it is) and a close-up (you can see the extent of the damage). If there is a submerged water level, take a clear picture of it.
2. Notify your insurance company: Call your insurance company to report the claim and obtain a claim case number. The sooner you give notice, the better.
3. Keep damaged items: Try not to throw away damaged items until the insurance company sends someone to inspect them. If cleanup is necessary (e.g. appliances soaked in water pose a risk of electrocution), at least keep photos and proof of purchase.
4. Prepare documents: A claim application usually requires a copy of the policy, a copy of the ID card, a damage list (listing the name of each damaged item and the purchase price), photos, and a repair estimate or invoice.
5. Cooperation with damage investigation: The insurance company will send claims adjusters or entrust a notary company to the site to investigate the damage. At that time, please describe the damage truthfully and do not exaggerate or conceal it.

Is typhoon and flood supplemental insurance worth insuring?

Taking a typical home as an example, the annual premium for typhoon flood rider insurance is usually only NT$1,000 to NT$3,000, and the insured amount can be hundreds of thousands or even millions. Considering that Taiwan is threatened by typhoons every year, and that heavy rains have become more frequent in extreme climates in recent years, a serious flooding loss can easily cost hundreds of thousands to hundreds of thousands. It is actually a good deal to spend a few thousand dollars to buy insurance.

Especially those who live on the first floor, in low-lying areas, in old apartments or on the top floors, should seriously consider adding insurance. Insurance cannot prevent typhoons, but it can save you a lot of financial stress after a disaster.

Conclusion: Insurance is not an afterthought

Many people regret it after the disaster. If they had known better, they would have purchased additional typhoon and flood insurance. The value of insurance lies in "you already have it when you need it." If you currently only have the basic residential fire insurance mandated by the bank, it is recommended to call your insurance salesperson and ask how much it will cost to add additional typhoon and flood insurance. It doesn't cost much time and money, but it can help you prevent a lot of losses when you need it most.

The latest standards for catching leaks and regulatory responsibilities in Shuangbei collective housing (2025-2026 practice)

According to Article 10 of the "Apartment Building Management Regulations" of the Ministry of the Interior and the trend of civil water leakage judgments in Shuangbei District Court in recent years, most water leakage disputes in old collective housing focus on the identification and definition of "exclusive parts" and "common parts". The roof platform and the public pipes are jointly owned by all separate owners, and the repair costs should be shared by public funds or all residents in proportion to their shares according to law; if the water supply and drainage pipes inside the floor slabs on the upper and lower floors are damaged, the pipes will be borne exclusively by the users or shared by the upper and lower floors.

At the engineering and technical level, modern professional leak detection has fully introduced non-destructive scientific testing, including "FLIR high-resolution infrared thermal imaging camera" (locating temperature difference leakage paths), "high frequency moisture meter" (measuring the moisture content of deep structures) and "pipeline air pressure and water pressure pressure test" (determining whether hot and cold water pipes are leaking). During construction, do not directly apply elastic cement or oil-based paint on the wet cement layer to seal it. Otherwise, the thermal expansion of internal water vapor will quickly cause the coating to blister and peel off, resulting in more serious powdery wall cancer. The standard construction method must first completely eliminate the water source, wait until the moisture content of the cement structure drops below 8%, and then apply the negative pressure resistant silicic acid permeability crystallized waterproof layer.

Recommendations on independent certificate storage and compensation process for water leakage repair

1. Take photos and videos as evidence immediately: Use rulers to record the leakage range, frequency of water discharge, direction of water mark diffusion, and keep time stamps.
2. Written notification and coordination survey: Officially notify the neighbors through the management committee or a certified letter, and agree on a professional third-party leak detection and appraisal unit recognized by both parties to conduct an on-site survey.
3. The contract states the warranty terms: When signing the contract for the project, be sure to clearly specify the waterproofing warranty period (usually 1 year for partial repairs, and 2 to 5 years for the whole room or roof re-construction), and specify the water test acceptance criteria (such as a 48-hour water storage test in the bathroom shower area) to protect your own asset rights.