DIY insulation filling the cracks
Newspaper, plastic bags and aluminium foil are stuffed in the gaps of every door and window, but winter is creeping in between the cracks.
The make-shift insulation to Candi Callaghan’s home is hardly effective, but at least it has a fire. Many homes in rural Marlborough are without a heat source heading into winter, she says.
The home in Ward is one of thousands at the top of the south yet to be assessed by insurers following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake last November.
Property assessment and repairs are slow going in the rural town, and Callaghan reckons about half remain unchecked by insurers.
‘‘As it gets colder, people are getting more apprehensive and stressed. A lot don’t have any source of heating,’’ she said.
‘‘When you’re further down the scale you have to wait your turn.’’
Insurers have received more than 9200 residential building claims for the Upper South Island, north of the Waimakariri River, and were about half way through assessments.
The Callaghan home was whitestickered after the earthquake opened up cracks between some doors and windows.
Damage was minor compared to other homes in the region but it was surprising to still be waiting on an insurance inspection, she said.
‘‘I thought it would be assess, build, sorted – but no. Now people are just hopeful to have something for next winter. I just want the vulnerable ones to get support,’’ she said.
‘‘I’m patiently waiting, I’d like to be assessed as soon as possible because it could take a while after that.’’
Insurance Council of New Zealand figures showed 9282 residential building claims were made in the upper South Island, north of the Waimakariri River.
At the end of April, 4176 of those claims, or 45 per cent, had been assessed.
Full settlements had been made for 1233 claims, or 13 per cent, with a value of nearly $37 million.
Insurance Council chief executive Tim Grafton said the time between assessment and settlement was typically four to 12 weeks, and insurers were on track to have most settlement offers made before the end of the year.
Callaghan said a shortage of tradesmen seemed to be a problem for many who were ready for repairs.
‘‘You have no other choice but to be patient, we understand how busy people are,’’ she said.
Coping with earthquakes was something Callaghan had experience with.
Tarpaulins covered a third of her roof for three months following the Lake Grassmere earthquake in 2013.
People in the rural community were attentive to one another and it was vital to keep that up heading into winter, Callaghan said.
‘‘We are really grateful. There are some really big changes down here, but we’re adaptable and that’s why we’re surviving,’’ she said.