China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission instructs insurers to step up flood disaster response and speed up claims in Beijing and Hebei

The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission issued a notice to local financial regulators, property insurers and industry bodies in response to recent heavy rainfall and severe flooding in Beijing, Hebei and other areas, setting expectations for stronger disaster response arrangements and faster insurance claims services during the main flood season. The notice calls for insurers to activate and refine contingency plans, rapidly mobilise claims-adjustment resources and ensure readiness for large-value payouts, while providing targeted support to affected regions to expedite surveys, loss assessments and claims handling. It also asks firms to track the evolving situation, work with relevant authorities to identify insured losses and coverage, open green channels and deliver proactive services with appropriate safety precautions, and use the motor insurance catastrophe survey mutual-recognition mechanism to improve assessment efficiency. Claims processes should be simplified to enable quick payment where due, full payment where owed, and reasonable advance payments, including setting up centralised claims service points in severely affected areas. Supervisory and internal governance expectations include closer monitoring of payment and advance-payment progress, clearer accountability across organisational levels, and timely statistical reporting and escalation of major matters.