EQC settles majority of 2018 storm and landslip claims

EQC settles majority of 2018 storm and landslip claims

The Earthquake Commission has settled 1120 of the 1333 claims received for the storm events that crossed the country between January and September this year.

Manager National Customer Care, Robyn Nation, says EQC paid a total of just over $17m in settlements for all storm claims and the average time for settlement is 69 days. These claims do not include those claims lodged for the Canterbury and Kaikoura earthquakes.

“The three major storms to hit New Zealand this year were the Kaiau-Thames event in January and ex-cyclones Fehi and Gita. These events seriously impacted on a number of local communities and our teams have been working closely to provide information and support to residents, community organisations and councils in those areas as part of their recovery.”

EQC received 101 claims nationally for the January storm centred in Kaiau-Thames, and 98 have now been resolved with $1,191,798 paid to customers.

“There were 137 claims lodged for ex-Cyclone Fehi, and of these claims 136 have now been settled, with customers receiving $920,626 from EQC.

Another 271 claims have been resolved out of the 282 lodged for ex-Cyclone Gita, with $6,425,739 paid to customers.

Overall, the highest number of claims for all events was 332 for the Auckland district, followed by 300 lodged in Tasman, 89 for Wellington, 61 for Rotorua and 58 lodged in the Nelson City district.

Mrs Nation says that EQC will continue providing assistance for communities, and especially if any more storms damage peoples’ property in 2018 and over summer.

“To have settled 84 per cent of all 2018 storm event claims reflects EQC’s commitment to delivering a high level of service for customers throughout New Zealand,” says Mrs Nation.

“If there is another storm in the coming months and local residents have damage to their property, then they should talk to us about lodging a claim. Our message is that if your property suffers storm damage get in touch with us and we can start the claim process.”

EQC covers damage to land from storms and floods and damage to land, home and contents from landslips. This includes the removal of silt and debris from under and around houses and from access ways.

EQC’s storm damage factsheet is available at www.eqc.govt.nz/storm-damage and the silt and debris inundation factsheet is at www.eqc.govt.nz/about-eqc/our-publications/factsheets/silt-and-debris-inundation

Claims can be lodged online at www.eqc.govt.nz/claims, via email on info@eqc.govt.nz, or by calling 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243).

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