Following Typhoon Bavi, Zhejiang faced another powerful storm, Typhoon, which followed a similar path, within a month. On August 9, the 13th typhoon of the year made its first landfall along the coast of Yuhuan City in Taizhou at 5:30 PM, packing winds of up to 14 on the Beaufort scale near its center. It then made a second landfall near Yueqing City in Wenzhou at around 6:40 PM, with winds of 13 on the Beaufort scale. The typhoon brought heavy rain and strong winds, breaking single-day rainfall records in Wenling and Sanmen in Taizhou, causing severe flooding in many areas.
To effectively manage the risks and losses from the second consecutive typhoon strike, the Zhejiang Financial Regulatory Bureau swiftly activated a provincial-level emergency response. It directed banking and insurance institutions in the region to remain on high alert and coordinate at multiple levels. By reviewing and upgrading effective strategies from the earlier Typhoon Bavi defense, the bureau mobilized efforts to fully engage in the race against time for typhoon prevention and disaster relief.
Coordinated Deployment and On-Site Supervision to Fortify Defenses
The disaster relief efforts prioritized the safety of people's lives and property. On August 7, a senior official from the Zhejiang Financial Regulatory Bureau led a team to the front lines, setting up command posts in Huangyan, Wenling, Sanmen, and Yuhuan to oversee the implementation of prevention measures by the insurance industry. The official emphasized the need to promote the effective "Five Unifications" strategy for risk reduction used during Typhoon Bavi, shifting the focus of prevention to an earlier stage. Key areas like underground parking lots were integrated into a grid-based system, with dual-site support from dedicated parking lots and regular disposal points. This ensured non-discriminatory rescue of accident vehicles and unified grading standards for new energy vehicle damage assessments.
The bureau guided the insurance sector to adopt a people-centered approach, enhancing typhoon warnings and public education while preparing sufficient manpower and resources for disaster relief. It expedited claims processing through green channels and simplified procedures, aiming for "full compensation, fast compensation, and reasonable prepayment." Additionally, the bureau deepened the "warning-insurance linkage," leveraging the strengths of "bank-insurance linkage" and "property-life insurance linkage." It promoted measures such as no-survey claims, no rescue fees, and the removal of restrictions on designated hospitals and deductibles to reduce the burden on the public. Special attention was given to financial support for "two drivers, two officers," agricultural entities, and small and micro-enterprises. Using an "insurance community" model, the bureau coordinated volunteer efforts to expand pre-disaster warnings and post-disaster services.
Under the guidance of the Zhejiang Financial Regulatory Bureau, the Zhejiang Insurance Association reviewed the lessons from Typhoon Bavi and followed the "Five Unifications" principle. It coordinated efforts across organizational deployment, risk warnings, hazard inspections, and disaster prevention education. On one hand, it pushed institutions to implement a grid-based mechanism, conducting inspections and risk assessments in line with underground flood prevention standards. On the other hand, it established an emergency coordination group to promptly issue disaster prevention and claims handling tips, initiating data collection to track claims progress. The association also quickly launched a disaster prevention communication mechanism, producing a demonstration video on underground flood prevention "Four Standards" to provide operational guidance for grassroots units. It partnered with Zhejiang Emergency Radio FM93 to introduce a "one-click dial" function for insurance emergency services, making it easier for the public to access nearby rescue and claims information.
On August 10, during the typhoon, a ship under construction at Taizhou Fangxing Shipyard was struck by a collapsing bow gantry. Sunshine Property and Casualty Insurance dispatched personnel to the scene immediately upon receiving the report. (Photo provided by the institution)
Swift Action and Risk Reduction Ahead of the Storm
Before the typhoon arrived, Zhejiang's insurance sector moved quickly to implement risk reduction services. As of 10:00 AM on August 11, insurance institutions in the region had set up 544 working groups, deploying 15,851 personnel to thoroughly inspect hazards and strengthen defenses.
In rural areas, agricultural insurance teams from Ping An Property and Casualty Insurance and PICC Property and Casualty Insurance, along with agricultural experts, visited fields in Quzhou, Lishui, and Jinhua. They assessed the growth of crops like rice, torreya, and medicinal herbs, evaluated risks, and guided farmers to seize the "golden window" for harvesting. They also assisted in clearing ditches and reinforcing greenhouses to minimize losses.
Across Zhejiang, claims personnel from China United Property Insurance, China Continent Insurance, and CPIC Property and Casualty Insurance conducted thorough inspections in paired communities and grid neighborhoods. They checked underground parking lots and low-lying buildings for flood-prone spots, helped stack sandbags, inspected drainage systems, and coordinated with municipal departments to clear pipelines. In Sanmen, Taizhou, claims personnel surveyed drainage conditions on flood-prone roads, posted water level warning signs, and reminded drivers to proceed with caution.
Insurance institutions also proactively visited key enterprises to help identify risks. In Shaoxing, Ping An Insurance's claims team inspected Zhejiang Jingxin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., checking low-lying areas and hazardous chemical warehouse waterproofing measures, and assisted in improving emergency plans. Yingda Property and Casualty Insurance's Zhejiang branch preemptively dispatched five 100KW diesel emergency generators to power companies in Yueqing and Yongjia on August 8, providing critical supplies for typhoon resistance and power protection.
Statistics show that by the time the typhoon made landfall on August 9, Zhejiang's insurance sector had visited 5,629 enterprises, identified 3,117 hazards, and completed 3,093 rectifications. It also visited 5,470 communities, providing flood prevention materials to 5,024 of them. The sector had prepared 139 drainage pumps, 108 drones, 3,568 rescue vehicles, and 3,419 survey vehicles, laying a solid foundation for quick post-disaster rescue.
Technology-Driven Claims Processing for Speed
The typhoon triggered a rapid response from Zhejiang's insurance sector, guided by the Zhejiang Financial Regulatory Bureau. By reviewing Typhoon Bavi's lessons and following the "Five Unifications" principle, the sector coordinated efforts in organization, risk warnings, hazard inspections, and disaster prevention education to ensure efficient and compassionate claims services.
Online claims processing allowed convenient service. On August 9, a car owner's vehicle was damaged by a falling carport during the typhoon. PICC Property and Casualty Insurance's Zhejiang branch handled the claim via video call, guiding the owner to take photos and process the claim from start to finish in just 1.5 hours. As of 12:00 PM on August 10, the branch had processed 886 typhoon-related claims online, enabling affected car owners to access services without leaving home.
Fast payments provided lifeblood for recovery. On August 9, a factory warehouse in Pinghu was damaged by the typhoon. China Life Property and Casualty Insurance's Jiaxing Central Sub-branch completed the entire claims process from receipt to payment in just one hour, thanks to efficient coordination. That same day, China United Property Insurance's Zhejiang branch made its first payments for auto, home, and enterprise insurance policies, with the fastest taking just 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The prepayment mechanism addressed urgent needs. On August 10, a farmer in Zhoushan received a prepayment from Ping An Insurance after his greenhouse was damaged by the typhoon. The claims process took just 1 hour and 29 minutes, with a prepayment of 48,880 yuan transferred to the farmer's account. This was made possible by the prepayment mechanism adopted by Zhejiang's insurance sector, which allows for partial payments to help affected individuals and businesses resume production quickly, even if full documentation is not immediately available.
As of 10:00 AM on August 11, insurance institutions in the region had received 45,644 claims, with 13.9244 million yuan in settled and prepaid payments. Currently, most parts of Zhejiang are still experiencing rainfall, and flooding prevents insurers from entering some disaster areas for surveys. Moving forward, Zhejiang's insurance sector will closely monitor the changing situation, continue dynamic coverage checks and on-site claims surveys, and leverage its expertise in risk management to support the recovery of production and daily life.