Model to exclude EQC

Wellington: Natural disaster insurance claimants will no longer have to deal with the Earthquake Commission, because private insurers are taking over the process.

The new model, which EQC and all the main private insurers in the country have agreed on, will come into effect between April and June next year.

EQC chief executive Sid Miller has welcomed the new model, saying it would be ‘‘worldleading’’.

Insurance Council chief executive Tim Grafton said the new way would be quicker and less stressful for claimants.

‘‘One point of accountability, one point of responsibility and one entity — your insurer — who you chose, looks after you all the way through the process so you only have to make that one call.