Earthquake, wildfire, flood: is my home covered, and will the state help if I have no insurance?

We could not confirm this for Cyprus policies; we did not find whether earthquake is standard cover or an extension. Check in writing whether your own policy includes earthquake, for the building and for contents, and what the earthquake excess is.

No one can say when. According to the World Bank (2025), Cyprus is a high-hazard seismic area and earthquake is the second high-impact risk after wildfire; the last deadly large earthquake was Paphos 1953. Whether the cover is worth it for you depends on what losing the home would mean for you; ask for a quote and read the excess.

It is the part of earthquake damage that you pay yourself. How it is calculated (a fixed amount or a percentage, and of which amount) is set by your own policy. Ask in writing for a worked example with your own sum insured.

We found no standing state scheme for earthquakes. After the 2025 wildfire the state paid compensation case by case: of 863 applications, 536 were approved and 327 rejected. State help is not a substitute for insurance.

Whether insurers refuse older homes we did not confirm. The World Bank suggests incentives for seismic upgrades, among them lower premiums. State the year and method of construction honestly and ask in writing what affects the cover.

Very possibly. The Insurance Association gave the example of €290,000 of damage with €190,000 paid, because the policy covered only part of the value. Ask in writing for the calculation and the clause applied; if you disagree, a complaint and then the Financial Ombudsman.

Yes, if the policy requires a fenced or cleared plot, according to the Insurance Association (2025). Read the “conditions” and “warranties”. If you are refused, ask in writing for the exact clause and whether the breach had anything to do with the damage.

We found this written nowhere. In the 2025 scheme there was a separate category for the underinsured, with 78 cases. Ask the body running the scheme in writing before applying, and declare whatever you received from insurance.

Many home policies include flood, others only as an extension or with a bigger excess, and many exclude water that enters gradually or through poor drainage. Look for the word “flood” in the covered perils and the exclusions.

Many policies cover storm damage but exclude wear and poor maintenance of the roof. The difference is often judged from the state of the roof and the strength of the storm. Photograph at once and keep maintenance invoices.

Usually two different policies: the solar panels from the home policy, if the definition of the building includes them and it covers hail, and the car from comprehensive cover, if it covers natural events; third party does not cover your own car. Check both.

Many home policies cover damage from a tree falling in a storm, whoever owned the tree. Your insurer may then pursue the neighbour if he is at fault, for example if the tree was diseased. Check your terms.

Many policies exclude subsidence and landslides, or cover them only as an extension with a large excess, and almost always exclude damage from faulty foundations. Check the terms before a purchase or renovation.

EIOPA (2023) gives Cyprus 2.5 for earthquake: “should be monitored”; 3 or more counts as a protection gap. The World Bank describes Cyprus as a high-hazard seismic area (2025).

How rare it is, we do not know: we found no figure for homes with earthquake cover. The World Bank writes that public awareness is “relatively limited” and recommends increasing household insurance. What matters is knowing what your own policy has.

There is no statutory deadline for telling your own insurer; the policy sets it, so notify as soon as you can and keep proof. Photos and video before you clean up help, as do your contents inventory, receipts, and the damaged items if you can keep them.

Many policies cover smoke and soot damage as part of fire cover, even if the fire did not touch the house, while others limit it. Photograph the damage and ask in writing.

Many policies have cover for alternative accommodation or loss of rent when the home cannot be lived in after a covered loss, usually with a limit on amount or time. Check whether yours has it and keep every receipt.

Not automatically. What is paid is set by the list of covered perils and exclusions in the policy, not by a general idea of “acts of God”. Check whether fire, earthquake, storm and flood are named.

We do not forecast prices. EIOPA monitors Cyprus for earthquake and wildfire (2.5 in 2023), and insurers set premiums by risk. What you control is the sum insured, the conditions and the excess at every renewal.

Check it: in some policies earthquake applies to building and contents together, in others separately. Ask in writing which amount the earthquake cover applies to and what excess each one has.

After floods, many insurers ask about previous losses and may change terms or the excess for the area. Answer honestly whatever they ask and get the terms in writing before you renew.