Earthquake insurance
Attachment to fire policies, insured amounts, damage categories, and the public-private structure.
Earthquake insurance is a government-backed cover attached to fire insurance; it is capped at 30%–50% of the fire amount (up to ¥50 million for a building and ¥10 million for contents) and pays by statutory damage categories, so it supports recovery rather than full rebuilding.
Benefits may vary by: insurer · employment status · municipality · household
Get professional or administrator help: Contact your fire insurer first after a quake; do not pay a large contingency fee to a disaster-claim consultant.
Review due: 2026-10-30
Key points
- It cannot be bought alone — it attaches to a fire policy.
- Fire insurance does not cover earthquake-caused fire; this does.
- The amount is limited relative to the fire-insurance amount.
- Claims use statutory loss categories, not full repair-cost adjustment.
What it is designed to do
Earthquake insurance is financial-relief insurance for restarting life after a quake, eruption, or tsunami — not a guarantee of full reconstruction. A municipal disaster certificate is generally not required merely to file the claim.
Who this is for
- Residents mapping protection before shopping for private insurance
What this is not
- A quote, policy ranking, or individualized recommendation
- Eligibility, contributions, waiting periods, exclusions, and benefit amounts can vary. Confirm your case with the administering insurer or authority before acting.