Busan Strengthens Citizen Safety Insurance from February 2026: First Metropolitan Government to Address Ground Subsidence
- Contents
-
Busan Strengthens Citizen Safety Insurance from February 2026: First Metropolitan Government to Address Ground Subsidence
□ Beginning February 2026, Busan Metropolitan City has extended the provisions and limits of its Citizen Safety Insurance to safeguard livelihoods against disasters and accidents.
○ Citizen Safety Insurance is a complimentary disaster and accident insurance initiative offered by the city. Anyone registered in Busan, including foreigners, is automatically enrolled without a separate process.
○ Coverage is valid nationwide, and payouts may also be made alongside other policies, such as personal insurance.
□ From February 2026, Busan residents fall under 10 categories: ▲ death and permanent disability from sinkholes, ▲ death and permanent disability from explosion, fire, collapse, or landslide, ▲ death and permanent disability while using public transportation, ▲ medical expenses from school zone traffic accidents, ▲ death from natural disasters, ▲ death from social disasters, and ▲ compensation for victims of sexual crimes.
※ References (Korean, English)
https://www.busan.go.kr/depart/ahinsurance
https://www.busan.go.kr/eng/busan-citizen-safety-insurance2026
□ Based on operational data over the past four years (February 1, 2022 – December 2025), Busan has expanded protection and fostered a disaster-response-centered framework closely connected to daily life.
○ As the likelihood of natural disasters due to climate change and social accidents in crowded areas increases, death assistance has been raised from 13 to 20 million won.
○ Sinkhole entitlement has been introduced for the first time among metropolitan governments. With growing concerns about deteriorating water and sewage pipes and large-scale construction projects, the city has added a benefit of up to 10 million won for death and permanent disability.
○ Indemnity for sexual assaults is now available for all age groups, rather than only minors below 12.
□ To enhance the effectiveness of the insurance, Busan will also improve management procedures through role-sharing with districts.
○ To reduce overlap in subscriptions and boost support, ▲ Citizen Safety Insurance will function as a metropolitan-level system focused on major disasters, while ▲ District Safety Insurance will serve as a supplementary measure dealing with everyday incidents.
□ Claims may be filed during a period of three years from the date of the accident or diagnosis of permanent disability. Individuals who were Busan residents at the time of the accident are eligible for reimbursement within the established limits, even if their current residence or the accident location is elsewhere.
○ If multiple items apply, payment may be received for each. It can be combined with District Safety Insurance as well.
□ For accidents taking place from February 2026 onward, contact the Local Finance Association (☎ 1577-5939); accidents that occurred between 2022 and January 2026 will be handled by the DB Insurance Consortium (☎ 1522-3556).
□ Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “Citizen Safety Insurance will become a reliable community security net. We will do our best to make Busan a safe city where citizens can remain assured in the face of unforeseen, sudden events.”
