Israeli War Damage Claims

---
name: israeli-war-damage-claims
description: "Guide users through filing property damage claims from rocket attacks and hostilities in Israel: documenting damage, filing with the Tax Authority Compensation Fund (Keren Pitzuim), home contents insurance claims, assessor visits, and appeals. Use when user asks about property damage from war, rockets, missiles, 'nezek yashir', 'mas rechush', 'keren pitzuim', compensation fund, war damage claim, damaged apartment, broken windows from blast, or how to get compensation for hostility damage. Covers both the fast track (up to NIS 30,000) and regular track, optional contents insurance via the Tax Authority, and the appeal process (va'adot erar). Do NOT use for indirect/economic damage to businesses (nezek akifi), personal injury claims (use israeli-bituach-leumi), car damage from war (handled separately by insurance companies), or general home insurance comparisons (use israeli-insurance-comparator)."
license: MIT
version: 1.0.1
---

# Israeli War Damage Claims

## Problem

Thousands of Israelis face property damage from rocket and missile attacks. Filing compensation claims through the Tax Authority's Compensation Fund is bureaucratic and complex, with different tracks, critical deadlines, and compensation ceilings that vary by household composition. A single documentation mistake or missed deadline can result in complete forfeiture of compensation rights.

## Instructions

### Step 1: Identify the Damage Type and Correct Track

First, determine what kind of damage the user has and which compensation track applies.

| Damage Type | Hebrew Term | Who Compensates | Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural damage (walls, roof, windows, doors) | נזק למבנה | Tax Authority Compensation Fund (קרן הפיצויים) | Regular or Fast |
| Home contents (furniture, electronics, appliances) | נזק לתכולה | Tax Authority Compensation Fund (capped by household size) | Regular or Fast |
| Contents above ceiling | תכולה מעל התקרה | Optional war damage insurance (ביטוח מלחמה רשות המסים) | Insurance claim |
| Business property/equipment | נזק לעסק | Tax Authority Compensation Fund | Regular or Fast |
| Vehicle damage | נזק לרכב | Private car insurance company | Insurance claim |
| Economic loss (lost revenue, wages) | נזק עקיף | Tax Authority (separate indirect damage track) | Indirect damage claim |

**Key distinction:** The Compensation Fund (under the Property Tax and Compensation Fund Law, 1961) handles direct physical damage. Indirect economic damage has a completely separate process and different deadlines.

### Step 2: Document the Damage Immediately

**Critical timing:** The user must report damage within **14 days** of the incident. Missing this deadline can forfeit compensation rights entirely.

**Documentation checklist:**
1. Photograph all damage from multiple angles (wide shots + close-ups)
2. Photograph the overall apartment/house to show context
3. Keep damaged items in place until after the assessor visit (if going regular track)
4. Collect repair quotes from licensed professionals (at least 2 quotes recommended)
5. Save receipts for any emergency repairs already done
6. Note the exact date and time of the damage event
7. If possible, save news reports or Pikud HaOref alerts for that date as supporting evidence

**What NOT to do:**
- Do not dispose of damaged items before documenting them
- Do not start major repairs before an assessor visit (regular track)
- Do not take photos before opening the claim (fast track requires photos taken AFTER the claim is opened, from the damage site, via a link sent by SMS)

### Step 3: Choose Between Fast Track and Regular Track

| Feature | Fast Track (מסלול מהיר) | Regular Track (מסלול רגיל) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum claim | NIS 30,000 | No ceiling for structure; contents capped by household size |
| Assessor visit | Not required | Required (appraiser visits the property) |
| Approval time | Up to 7 days from complete submission | Weeks to months |
| Documentation | Photos + price quotes uploaded online | Photos + quotes + assessor report |
| Eligibility | Individuals and businesses | Everyone |
| Limit | One claim per household per incident | One claim per household per incident |
| Invoice deadline | Must submit repair invoice within 30 days of receiving payment | Must submit repair invoice within 30 days of receiving payment |

**When to use Fast Track:**
- Total damage is under NIS 30,000
- User wants quick payment and can document damage with photos and quotes
- No complex structural damage requiring professional assessment

**When to use Regular Track:**
- Damage exceeds NIS 30,000
- Structural damage that needs professional engineering assessment
- User wants full compensation without the NIS 30,000 cap

**Switching tracks:** Users who filed a regular track claim and have not yet received an assessor visit can switch to the fast track through their personal area on the Tax Authority website. The Compensation Fund may also proactively contact eligible claimants via SMS with an option to switch.

### Step 4: File the Claim Online

**Filing URL:** The claim is filed through the Tax Authority's digital services at gov.il (search for "הגשת תביעה מקוונת נזק ישיר").

**Who can file:**
- Property owner
- Person bearing restoration expenses (even if not the owner)
- Owner of damaged contents (including tenants/renters)

**Required information:**
1. Israeli ID number (Teudat Zehut)
2. Tax Authority digital services login (or create one)
3. Property address where damage occurred
4. Description of damage
5. Photos of damage (see Step 2)
6. Price quotes for repairs
7. Bank account details for compensation payment

**Fast Track specific:** After entering basic details, the system sends an SMS with a link. The user must take and upload photos FROM the damage site ONLY, and ONLY after receiving this SMS. Photos taken before opening the claim or from another location will be rejected and the claim denied.

### Step 5: Understand Compensation Ceilings for Contents

The Compensation Fund covers structural damage in full (no ceiling), but home contents compensation is capped based on household composition.

These compensation ceilings are updated periodically by the Consumer Price Index. For current accurate figures, users should verify the amounts directly on the Tax Authority website, as the specific NIS amounts change over time.

**Approximate structure of compensation ceilings:**

| Household | Relative Contents Ceiling |
|---|---|
| Single person | Lowest baseline amount |
| Married couple / single parent | Higher baseline amount |
| Per additional child (under 18) | Supplement added to baseline |
| Larger families | Progressively higher totals |

**Categories within the ceiling:**

| Category | Hebrew |
|---|---|
| Furniture | רהיטים |
| Electrical appliances & electronics | מכשירי חשמל ואלקטרוניקה |
| Clothing | ביגוד |

**Not covered:** Jewelry (תכשיטים), artwork (יצירות אמנות), and cash are excluded from compensation.

**Important:** These ceilings are updated periodically. Always check the current figures on the Tax Authority website for the most accurate compensation amounts.

### Step 6: Optional War Damage Contents Insurance

If the user's contents are worth more than the standard ceiling, the Tax Authority offers supplemental insurance.

**Key details:**
- Premium: 0.3% of the additional insured value per year
- Available since 2007, but subscriber numbers surged after October 2023
- Coverage starts immediately upon payment and runs through year-end
- No cancellation option after purchase
- This is the ONLY product in Israel that covers war damage to contents above the standard ceiling (regular home insurance excludes war damage)

**Important:** Maximum insurable values and premium amounts should be verified on the Tax Authority website, as these figures may change over time.

**How to purchase:** Online form on the Tax Authority website (search for "ביטוח תכולה רשות המסים" or "ביטוח רכוש מלחמה").

### Step 7: After Filing -- What Happens Next

**Regular Track timeline:**
1. Claim acknowledged by the Compensation Fund
2. Assessor/appraiser (שמאי) scheduled to visit the property
3. Assessor inspects damage, prepares report
4. Compensation amount determined based on assessor report
5. Payment issued
6. User must submit repair invoices within 30 days of receiving payment

**Fast Track timeline:**
1. Claim submitted with photos and quotes
2. Approval within 7 days (if documentation is complete)
3. Payment issued
4. User must submit repair invoices within 30 days of receiving payment

**For structural damage (regular track):** The user can choose between:
- Self-repair: receive compensation and hire their own contractors
- Fund-authorized repair: the Compensation Fund arranges contractors to do the work

### Step 8: Filing an Appeal (Va'adot Erar)

If the user's claim is denied or the compensation amount is too low, they can appeal.

**Appeal process:**
1. The appeal deadline is stated in the decision letter itself (varies by claim type)
2. Submit written appeal via email to: `vaadat-erar@taxes.gov.il`
3. The Compensation Fund has 60 days to submit a written response
4. The appeal committee (ועדת ערר) hears both sides
5. Decision issued in writing within 30 days of the hearing

**Appeal committee composition:** Two members -- a civil servant and a citizen representative, appointed by the Minister of Justice.

**Grounds for appeal:**
- Claim was wrongfully denied
- Compensation amount is too low (e.g., assessor undervalued the damage)
- Eligibility determination was incorrect
- Procedural errors in claim processing

**Further appeal:** If unsatisfied with the appeal committee decision, the claimant can request permission to appeal to the District Court (בית המשפט המחוזי).

**Legal representation:** Not required for the appeal committee, but recommended for complex or high-value cases.

## Examples

### Example 1: Apartment damaged by rocket -- fast track
User says: "A missile hit near my building, all my windows are shattered and some furniture is destroyed. The damage is probably around NIS 20,000."

Actions:
1. Confirm damage is under NIS 30,000 -- recommend Fast Track
2. Guide: report within 14 days, then open online claim via Tax Authority digital services
3. After opening claim, wait for SMS link, then photograph damage from the site
4. Upload photos + 2 repair quotes
5. Expect approval within 7 days
6. After receiving payment, submit repair invoices within 30 days

### Example 2: Major structural damage -- regular track
User says: "A rocket hit my building directly. The walls are cracked, ceiling collapsed in one room, and all contents are destroyed. I have a family of 4."

Actions:
1. Damage clearly exceeds NIS 30,000 -- recommend Regular Track
2. Document everything immediately (photos, keep damaged items in place)
3. File online within 14 days
4. Assessor will be scheduled to visit
5. Structure: full compensation (no ceiling). Contents: check current ceiling for family of 4 on Tax Authority website
6. If contents worth more, suggest purchasing optional insurance for future incidents

### Example 3: Appeal a denied claim
User says: "My compensation claim was approved but they gave me only NIS 15,000 when the damage was at least NIS 40,000. How do I appeal?"

Actions:
1. Check the decision letter for the appeal deadline
2. Prepare written appeal documenting why the amount is insufficient (additional quotes, photos, expert opinion)
3. Email appeal to vaadat-erar@taxes.gov.il
4. The Fund has 60 days to respond
5. Appeal committee hearing, then decision within 30 days
6. If still unsatisfied, can escalate to District Court

## Bundled Resources

### References
- `references/compensation-ceilings.md` -- Detailed breakdown of compensation ceilings by household size and category, with current NIS amounts. Consult when calculating expected compensation.
- `references/claims-process-flowchart.md` -- Step-by-step flowchart of the claims process for both fast and regular tracks. Consult when guiding users through filing.

## Gotchas

1. **Fast Track photo trap:** Photos MUST be taken from the damage site AFTER receiving the SMS link from the Tax Authority. Photos taken before opening the claim or uploaded from another location are automatically rejected. This is the #1 reason fast track claims get denied.

2. **14-day notification vs 3-month filing:** These are two separate deadlines. The initial damage notification must happen within 14 days. The full compensation claim must be filed within 3 months. Missing the 14-day notification can forfeit all rights, even if the 3-month window hasn't passed.

3. **Contents ceiling confusion:** The compensation ceiling for contents varies by household size AND by category (furniture, electronics, clothing). Do not assume one flat number. Always direct users to check the current figures on the Tax Authority website for accurate amounts.

4. **Regular home insurance does NOT cover war damage:** Commercial home insurance policies in Israel explicitly exclude war and hostility damage. Only the Tax Authority Compensation Fund (and its optional extended insurance) covers war-related property damage. Do not direct users to their regular insurance company for war damage claims.

5. **Invoice deadline after payment:** After receiving compensation, the claimant MUST submit repair invoices within 30 days. Failure to do so triggers a repayment demand. This catches many people off guard -- they receive the money but forget to send receipts after completing repairs.

## Troubleshooting

### Error: "Claim rejected -- photos not from damage site"
Cause: Fast Track requires photos taken at the damage location after the SMS link is sent. The system uses geolocation to verify.
Solution: Re-open the claim, wait for the new SMS link, go to the damage site, then take and upload fresh photos from that location.

### Error: "Missed the 14-day notification deadline"
Cause: The user did not report damage within 14 days of the incident.
Solution: File anyway and include an explanation for the delay. In some cases (mass incidents, evacuation, medical emergency), extensions may be granted. The user may need legal representation to argue for an exception.

### Error: "Compensation amount seems too low"
Cause: The assessor may have undervalued the damage, or the contents ceiling was applied.
Solution: Check if the ceiling applies (contents vs structure). If undervalued, file an appeal (Step 8) with independent repair quotes or a private assessor report to support a higher amount.

### Error: "Cannot access Tax Authority digital services"
Cause: User may not have a registered account or may have login issues.
Solution: Register at the Tax Authority website with Teudat Zehut. If locked out, contact Tax Authority support at *4954 or visit a local Tax Authority office in person.