Thailand Office of Insurance Commission deploys first claims response under national catastrophe policy covering 30 million homes

The Thailand Office of Insurance Commission has deployed officials to Lamphun and Chiang Mai to coordinate the first claims response under the National Catastrophe Insurance Policy after flooding and windstorms damaged about 227 homes and caused one death. The government program, which began covering 30 million homes nationwide on Oct. 1, provides protection against floods, windstorms and earthquakes and advances the regulator’s broader focus on national catastrophe risk management. Officials are helping residents document and submit claims, including through a pilot covering about 225 flood-damaged homes in Lamphun. For registered homes in declared disaster areas, the policy covers structural damage excluding furniture up to THB 100,000 per event, with initial payments of THB 10,000 for floods and THB 5,000 for windstorms or earthquakes. It also provides THB 2 million for accidental death caused by a disaster and THB 200,000 for permanent total disability. The Chiang Mai death was identified as the first case potentially qualifying for the program, subject to verification. Eleven insurers participate in the program, and the Thai General Insurance Association has established a dedicated claims process. Artificial intelligence will support assessments for damage beyond the initial payment, with an on-site review available if a claimant disputes the assessment. The Office of Insurance Commission aims to complete claim assessment and payment within 15 days after an insurer receives all required evidence.