Protecting your Home During Hong Kong’s Rainy Season

On June 28 2021 the Hong Kong Observatory issued Black Rainstorm warning signal for the first time this year. If you were caught in the deluge, you will be well aware of the quick changes in weather that can occur at this time of the year, and the ferocity of storms when they hit; which is why Hong Kong has its system of rain and typhoon signals.

Hong Kong actually has 3 different rain storm signals, Amber, Red, and Black. Both the Red and Black signals indicate that heavy rain is expected and flooding is likely to occur. In the case of the Black rainstorm warning signal, this is only raised when the amount of rain is expected to exceed 70 millimeters (2.75 inches) over the course of an hour. Where other parts of the world will experience “snow days,” in Hong Kong we get Rain and Typhoon days instead.

With heavy, long lasting rainstorms occurring every year in Hong Kong there is the risk that your home will experience water damage. Whether this is from an external source, or an internal pipe bursting during a storm, there are a number of ways in which the heavy rain experienced by Hong Kong every year can cause you to have a loss.

There are a number of methods which you can use to ensure both your home and property are protected from the biggest risk of living in Hong Kong. But Home Insurance (and Home Contents Insurance) policies will offer you the widest range of flexibility while giving you the comprehensive assurance you need that your home is protected in the next storm.

Fire Insurance and Extra Perils

Fire Insurance in Hong Kong is often referred to as “rebuilding insurance” or simply “home insurance.” This type of insurance is generally purchased only by the actual owner of a property; so, if you’re renting then Fire Insurance is not a type of policy that you need concern yourself with.

On the whole, Fire Insurance is designed to assist a property owner in rebuilding their home should they experience a loss caused by fire. However, many Fire Insurance products will allow for the coverage of extra, or “allied” perils, under the policy in return for an additional premium payment.

Extra perils include things like:

• Aircraft
• Bush Fires
• Earthquakes
• Explosions
• Sprinkler Leakage
• Landslip and Subsidence
• Water Tanks, Apparatus, and Pipes
• Typhoon and Windstorms (including Floods)

Under a fire insurance policy with extra perils coverage, as a property owner you are protected against most of the water-related risks that your home could face. Whether an earthquake causes burst pipes (and flooding) or whether the water damage caused to your home comes from a Typhoon or windstorm, Fire and Allied Perils Insurance offers you comprehensive protection, no matter what.

It is also important to note that under most Fire and Allied Perils insurance plans in Hong Kong the definition of coverage is actually extremely broad. In most cases, for a covered peril included in your policy, is against all damage caused by that peril up to your policy limit. This ensures that even with the growing risk of stronger Typhoons and tropical storms impacting Hong Kong, your home will always have the security and protection you need.

Home Contents and Assets Insurance Protection

What should you do to protect your home against the threat of typhoons and rain if you don’t own your apartment, flat, or home? This is a common situation in Hong Kong. Fire insurance would not be appropriate for you (as there is no insurable interest for you on the property), however Home Contents insurance you are still able to access protection that ensures your possessions are covered from the worst effects of tropical storms.

From covering the contents of your fridge should the power go out (which is, fortunately, a very rare occurrence in Hong Kong), through to the costs associated with investigating and preventing leaks inside your home, Home Contents insurance actually goes a tremendous way into providing typhoon protection for individuals who don’t actually own their properties. This is a great tool for avoiding the worst effects of a typhoon or severe rain storm – whether you have interior glass damage from a broken window, or burst pipe. Further to this, there are Home Contents and Assets insurance policies which will provide financial protection against the costs of temporary preventative measures to mitigate a potential claim.

Many people think that home contents insurance is simply about the belongings you have inside your property – that renter’s insurance is simply designed to cover you for the loss of a ring, necklace, phone, or laptop. In fact, Home Contents Insurance is designed to make living in your home easier – and it accomplishes this by ensuring that you have the assistance you need to deal with accidents as, and when they happen, rather than having to wait for your landlord to deal with it.

Home Contents Insurance will even pay you should the fire department need to come to your home for a covered loss. In a typhoon situation, where having the fire department show up would likely mean that you need to leave your home while the emergency is resolved, you would also generally be compensated for any forced evacuation – for up to 30 days in duration!

Don’t Overlook Your Home Insurance

There are many options for Home Insurance products that may prove invaluable to you in Hong Kong’s wet season. Whether you have lived in the city your entire life, or if you have just relocated and are not prepared for a severe tropical storm, there are myriad options available to ensure that your home is protected from the worst outcomes of any storm hitting the city.

If you would like to obtain additional information about Home Insurance, Renters Insurance, Fire Insurance, or Fire and Allied Perils insurance in Hong Kong, please Contact Us to discuss your needs with an expert CCW Global insurance broker. You can also request a Hong Kong Home Insurance quotation by completing the short form at the top of this page.