Quake-hit homeowners ‘still fighting’ for payouts
Christchurch homeowners with unresolved insurance claims from the earthquakes have described feeling exhausted, frustrated and stuck as another anniversary looms.
Eight years ago tomorrow, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near Darfield, starting the sequence that damaged so many homes in the region.
On Saturday, about 60 people, many with unresolved claims and some fighting their way through the courts, gathered to draw attention to their plight.
‘‘This is to let people know things aren’t settled here,’’ protest organiser Shona Strachan said. ‘‘There are people with financial, emotional and health stresses who are still fighting insurance companies and the Government insurers. ‘‘Eight years is just too long. ‘‘You’ve got no future until your claim is settled.’’
One protest sign, in the form of a Tui beer ad, said: ‘‘8 years later ... All fixed! Yeah right’’.
Daphne Lewis-Mannix, one of many homeowners in need of rerepairs, described feeling exhausted by her long struggle to resolve her insurance claim.
‘‘We don’t want to be any better off, we just want to get back to where we were before the quakes. ‘‘That’s it. No more.’’
As of July 31, a total of 3448 claims remained on the books of the Earthquake Commission (EQC). Another 2046 private insurance claims were awaiting settlement on June 30, according to Insurance Council figures, including 644 claims still being handled by Government-owned Southern Response.
A bill to establish a special tribunal for simpler earthquake insurance disputes is proceeding through Parliament but the tribunal will not be in business until next year.
The bulk of the unresolved insurance claims now are for botched or inadequate repairs.
What are called onsold claimants – those who have bought homes needing re-repairs – will be excluded from the tribunal and await High Court test cases to establish a legal standing.
Speaking at the protest, Empowered Christchurch secretary Seamus O’Cromtha referred to recent statistics showing a rise in suicides in the region and mentioned similar rallies in 2016 and 2017. ‘‘Here we are in 2018, is this going to go on for another 10 years? Are the suicide statistics in Canterbury going to go sky high? This has got to be a reflection of the misery and the despair that insurance companies and the Government have been putting people through for the last 71⁄2 years.’’