Nepali Insurers Face Rs 20.98 Billion in Claims After Rasuwa Flood
Nepali insurance companies have received claims totaling Rs 20.98 billion from 2,180 policyholders following the August 26 flood in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli corridor. The disaster adds fresh financial strain on an industry still recovering from roughly Rs 23 billion in claims tied to last year's Gen Z movement.
KATHMANDU, Sept 29 — Nepali insurance companies have received claims totaling Rs 20.98 billion for damages caused by the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor in Rasuwa on August 26.
According to records maintained by the Nepal Insurance Authority (NIA), non-life insurance companies and microinsurance firms have received claims from 2,180 policyholders. The latest flood-related liabilities come less than a year after insurers faced claims of around Rs 23 billion for damages caused by the September 2025 Gen Z movement, placing additional financial pressure on the industry.
So far, non-life insurers and microinsurance companies have collectively settled Rs 6.74 million through initial, advance, and partial claim settlement related to flood damage.
Insurer-wise exposure
- Himalayan Everest Insurance has received the highest volume of claims, amounting to Rs 6.27 billion from 159 policyholders.
- Sanima GIC Insurance ranks second, with claims worth Rs 3.50 billion filed under 242 policies.
- Shikhar Insurance has received claims worth Rs 2.99 billion.
- Sagarmatha Lumbini Insurance follows with Rs 1.93 billion.
- Siddhartha Premier Insurance has received Rs 1.12 billion.
- Neco Insurance rounds out the billion-rupee club with claims totaling Rs 1.01 billion.
Category-wise breakdown
Property insurance accounts for the largest share of claims. Insurers have received compensation applications worth Rs 9.41 billion under 518 property insurance policies. Under engineering and contractor risk insurance, claims worth Rs 4.41 billion have been registered under 165 policies.
Vehicle insurance recorded the highest number of claims, with 1,066 claims amounting to Rs 3.07 billion. In the marine and transport insurance segment, claims worth Rs 2.48 billion have been filed under 104 policies. Similarly, claims totaling Rs 1.36 billion have been registered under miscellaneous insurance from 299 policies, while 28 health insurance claims amounting to Rs 225.2 million have also been reported.
Broader human and economic toll
The catastrophic flood claimed the lives of more than 1,453 people, while more than 5,000 people remain missing following the disaster. According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and the National Planning Commission, damage to physical infrastructure alone has been estimated at Rs 473.57 billion.
The government report estimates that Rs 723.31 billion will be required for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. The energy sector has suffered losses estimated at Rs 134.69 billion. Damage to the road network is estimated at Rs 22 billion, while losses to bridges and telecommunications infrastructure are estimated at Rs 11.35 billion and Rs 620 million, respectively.