Terremoto na Colômbia: Fasecolda orienta segurados sobre reclamações

On August 10, 2026, a magnitude‑7.4 earthquake, with its epicenter in San José del Palmar, Chocó, was felt across much of Colombia, affecting more than 400 municipalities. The Colombian Insurance Federation (Fasecolda) reported that insurance companies have already activated their response protocols.

Activation of protocols by insurers

According to Fasecolda's statement, insurers have begun the actions planned to serve their policyholders in the face of a catastrophic event and to support the authorities. Gustavo Morales, the entity's executive president, said that the priority at this moment is the safety and well‑being of people.

How many properties are covered against earthquakes

Preliminary data indicate that, nationwide, there are 2,258,594 insured earthquake risks. In the 105 municipalities of seven departments classified as high‑impact zones, 442,514 insured risks were recorded, comprising 277,308 residences, 8,510 co‑ownership properties, 128,359 private risks and 28,337 public risks, which include hospitals and schools.

What these numbers represent

Fasecolda clarified that the numbers refer to insured properties and not necessarily to properties that sustained damage from the quake.

Guidelines for filing a claim

To file a claim, the entity advises policyholders to prioritize their safety, follow authorities' instructions and contact the insurer directly by phone, website, app or service point. It also recommends documenting damage with photos or videos without endangering lives, and avoiding permanent repairs or disposing of belongings before receiving the insurer's guidance, except when necessary to protect life, prevent further damage, or comply with authorities' orders.

Next steps for those affected

With the response protocol underway, insurers will continue gathering information on affected properties, supporting Colombians in the recovery and reconstruction process, as highlighted by Morales.

With information from Semana.