Hong Kong’s insurance industry has launched coordinated claims and support measures following a fatal fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a high-rise public housing estate that was under renovation.
Authorities have reported that at least 128 residents have died, with dozens more still unaccounted for. Officials have said 79 people were injured and 16 bodies remained inside the affected buildings as of late November, according to BBC. Fire services have stated that alarms in all eight blocks in the Tai Po estate were not operating effectively at the time of the blaze. Experts have also pointed to bamboo scaffolding and other construction materials at the site as potential factors in the fire’s rapid spread, while several residents have said their fire alarms did not sound when the incident began.
The Hong Kong Insurance Authority (IA) has set up a task force led by senior management to coordinate the insurance sector’s operational response. The group is working with insurers on claims handling, deployment of staff to handle inquiries, and issues affecting policyholders whose lives and property were impacted by the fire. IA chair Stephen Yiu said: “Functioning as a stabiliser for society, insurance must provide emergency assistance when serious events emerge.”
Yiu noted that insurers “have taken immediate contingency measures after occurrence of the fire, set up dedicated hotlines, streamlined and sped up claims procedures, and offered additional assistance beyond the policy coverage to help those people who are affected overcome their difficulties.”
The IA is working with the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI), and both organisations are operating public hotlines on weekdays for claims and coverage inquiries. The channels are aimed at residents who may hold multiple policies across life, health, and general insurance lines.
HKFI said many of the residents affected by the blaze are insured, and member companies have introduced a range of measures to adjust claims processes and provide short-term financial support. Selina Lau, chief executive of HKFI, said: “Our member companies are fully equipped to assist victims in their time of need, providing resources and support to help them through this difficult journey towards recovery.”
According to HKFI, member insurers have:
HKFI has also set up an inquiry service for questions on life, home, building, medical, and personal accident insurance related to the fire. Residents can make inquiries by phone or email, and HKFI has posted further information on its website.
Manulife has pledged HK$20 million to the Hong Kong Red Cross Tai Po Fire Emergency Appeal for community relief and recovery. The insurer said its staff and financial advisors have also started an internal fundraising campaign for those affected.
For its own customers, Manulife has introduced the following measures:
AIA Hong Kong, through the AIA Foundation, has pledged HK$20 million for emergency relief and recovery related to the Tai Po fire. The funding is being arranged with Blue Cross and supported by AIA staff and financial planners.
AIA Hong Kong has introduced the following measures for customers:
The company is using internal records to identify potentially affected customers and has asked financial planners to contact them. AIA Hong Kong has said that all claims applications related to the incident received so far have been processed, and that it plans to maintain its current level of support for impacted policyholders.
Prudential Hong Kong has announced HK$20 million in relief funding, split between community support and direct financial payments to customers living in Wang Fuk Court. The insurer will contribute HK$10 million to the “Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po” established by the Hong Kong SAR government. The fund is intended to finance emergency response, disaster relief, and recovery activities.
Separately, Prudential will provide a one-off payment of HK$10,000 to each Prudential customer residing in Wang Fuk Court, amounting to HK$10 million in direct customer payments. The company said it will continue working with its partners on additional support related to the incident.
