MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release: 8 May 2011

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has completed almost 10,000 full assessments on properties with earthquake damage sustained after the 22 February earthquake.

EQC has received more than 312,000 claims from the events since 4 September last year, of which more than 127,000 claims are from 22 February. EQC has paid out nearly $850 million dollars in claims.

EQC Chief Executive Ian Simpson says a lot of progress has been made.

“As well as the work done on full assessments, about 8,000 other urgent repair projects have been completed since the end of February.”

Mr Simpson also clarified the situation around EQC approving private insurer’s assessments of damaged homes over the $100,000 EQC cap.

“This approach has been in place since September 4. What we have done since the February earthquake is work with the private insurers to ensure we have a standardised assessment procedure. This allows us to approve those claims and make payment quicker and easier.”

Just over 500 contracting firms with an estimated workforce of 2,500 have been accredited by EQC’s Project Manager Fletchers EQR to carry out the physical repair work.

EQC is also working with Christchurch City Council and Civil Defence on protocols and procedures for entering the Central Business District and rock fall prone areas to enable EQC assessments by specialist teams.

EQC has also declared that the 5.2 aftershock on April 30 will be deemed a new event for insurance purposes. People who have new or worsened damage as a result of this aftershock have until August 1 to submit claims for damage.

ENDS

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