The Hong Kong Insurance Authority has instructed insurers to expedite support for victims of the Tai Po fire by proactively reaching out to policyholders and facilitating claims for roughly 12,000 insurance policies, the South China Morning Post reported, citing Chief Executive Clement Cheung Wan-ching.

Cheung, speaking at the Asian Insurance Forum in Hong Kong, provided updated figures on the number of policies affected by the 43-hour blaze that began on Nov. 26 at Wang Fuk Court, according to the report.

He said 35 life insurers, including AIA (HKG:1299) and Manulife (HKG:0945), had identified about 10,000 life, medical, and annuity policies held by residents of the estate, it added.

Another 35 general insurers have reported around 1,800 policies covering property, personal accidents, and domestic helpers.

The latest tally marks an increase from last Friday's preliminary estimate, when the authority said roughly 30 insurers had issued 7,600 life policies and 1,100 general insurance policies to Wang Fuk Court residents, SCMP said.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)