Authorities are pushing to introduce mandatory home insurance for emergencies. A draft law has already been submitted to the Mazhilis for consideration. If approved, large retail outlets will be required to have insurance (the first stage of the initiative), while the general Kazakhstani population will face similar requirements within the next several years.
«There is currently no mechanism to cover fire loss damages for third-party individuals, including those affected or even deceased. Introducing a civil liability system for large retail outlet owners would provide a comprehensive solution to the issue. First, it would help reduce social tensions among fire victims. Second, the measure would increase fire safety in large facilities,» said Yerlan Turegeldiyev, deputy chair of the firefighting department of the Emergencies Ministry.
The official also noted that the measure would eliminate the need for public spending to financially support people directly affected by fires at such facilities.
«The Emergency Situations Ministry intends to extend this practice to all facilities in the country, including residential housing. All these facilities should be covered by fire insurance by 2028,» Turegeldiyev added.
Kazakhstan’s government has been working on a disaster insurance model based on information from international financial organizations. This model would introduce mandatory insurance for such risks in Kazakhstan. To advance this effort, the Agency for Development and Regulation of the Financial Market will develop and implement a road map for disaster insurance highlighting responsible agencies, as well as a model for emergency insurance.
In addition, in late July, Vice Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev instructed the Ministry of Finance to establish emergency reserves in each region of the country. These reserves should be available at all times in case of an emergency. Earlier this year, more than 18,000 homes were damaged by spring floods in Kazakhstan. In his address to the nation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the floods as the most severe disaster in terms of scale and consequences over the past 80 years. He pledged financial and other necessary support to all affected individuals.
