Claimant’s billboard spreads message
Peter Glasson says his portable anti-insurance company billboard has proved a hit with Cantabrians.
He has been fighting insurance company IAG for six years over the cost of reinstating his earthquake-damaged rental house.
Two weeks ago, fed up with the system, he got a signwriter to do up his 1995 Holden Commodore with anti-insurance slogans.
‘‘I’ve been getting a huge amount of support,’’ Glasson said.
‘‘People are tooting the horn and giving thumbs up.’’
His Addington house, which Glasson said had sunk 16 centimetres on one side, has not had any repairs done.
He said it was not worth it, because his independent experts considered it a rebuild.
‘‘We believe that IAG is delaying the process and they should be doing the claim much quicker than they are.
‘‘We just think that they’re not showing good faith in their negotiations or the processing of the claim.’’
IAG spokeswoman Renee Walker said the principle of good faith was ‘‘at the very heart of insurance’’.
‘‘By acting in good faith, we have settled over 97 per cent of all Canterbury earthquake claims, and the majority of our customers are pleased with both the process and the outcome.’’
The claim will go to a court hearing in August.
Glasson said he expected the process to drag on for another year or so.
Walker said IAG wanted to settle all claims directly with its customers, but ‘‘unfortunately’’ it was unable to reach agreement in a small number of cases.
‘‘In these cases customers may seek to involve the courts.’’
IAG had been ‘‘actively’’ working with Glasson and his wife over the last five years, and had made several settlement offers, she said.
‘‘Unfortunately we are unable to agree on the extent of damage, and associated cost to repair, and the Glassons have opted to get the court to decide what their entitlements are.
‘‘We are now bound by the court process and timeframes.’’