EQC continues to settle storm and landslip claims

The Earthquake Commission has settled 727 claims from the storms and ex-cyclones that crossed the country between January and June, out of a total of 1,042 claims lodged for storm events so far this year. The average time for settlement is 54 days.

Manager National Customer Care, Robyn Nation, says that anyone whose residential land has suffered storm, flood or landslip damage in the last three months, including from last weekend’s storms across Auckland and the Coromandel, should contact EQC and discuss lodging a claim.

“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.

“The impact of each storm is different across regions and for communities and EQC works directly with residents, community organisations and councils to provide local residents with as much support and information as possible about lodging a claim.”

EQC received 101 claims nationally for the January storm centred in Kaiau-Thames, and 93 have now been resolved with $1,103,964 paid to customers.

“There were 134 claims lodged for ex-Cyclone Fehi, and of these claims 124 have now been settled, with customers receiving $801,434 from EQC.

Another 222 claims have been resolved out of the 278 lodged for ex-Cyclone Gita, with $4,800,016 paid to customers.

Mrs Nation says that the process for managing claims has three parts in general – lodgement, assessment and settlement.

“People can get the information they need about lodging a claim if their property has suffered storm, flood or landslip damage from EQC and can talk to us about the process for receiving their EQC entitlement.

“Our teams use this information to understand the extent of damage to properties, especially if people are vulnerable or out of their homes, and also provide advice and support on the ground so claims can be settled quickly.

“Anyone whose property has suffered damage in the latest storms to hit the North Island during the past week should get in touch with us,” says Mrs Nation.

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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