Floodwaters subside, while insurance firms inundated
Aotearoa’s largest insurer says it has had nearly 1500 claims resulting from flooding and landslips in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough.
IAG’s insurance operations, which include State, NZI and AMI, had received 1151 home, 150 contents, 67 vehicle, 99 business and one boat claim by 8am yesterday.
‘‘We are still expecting further claims as customers are able to safely assess the damage to their homes, businesses, and property,’’ said Wayne Tippet, IAG’s executive general manager for claims.
‘‘A number of customers are still not able to access their red-stickered homes and are not yet sure of the extent of damage.’’
While Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions had been the worst affected, IAG also received claims from elsewhere, including 162 claims in Auckland, and 143 in Wellington.
On Thursday, insurer Tower said it had received 150 claims due to the torrential rain, flooding and slips.
AA Insurance said by 8am yesterday, it had had made 291 home and contents, and 25 motor claims.
Tippet said flooding and landslips had caused significant damage.
‘‘We’re currently prioritising customers whose homes are unliveable, or those who are in more vulnerable circumstances,’’ he said. ‘‘We have extra support on board and are committed to helping our customers as quickly as possible . . . with such a high volume of claims, it can take time for assessors to inspect all damaged properties.’’
IAG had set up an insurance hub in Nelson on Trafalgar St, and 300 policyholders had come for face-toface support. As well as the State, AMI and NZI brands, IAG is behind home, contents and car insurance policies sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and the Co-operative Bank.
‘‘Our local assessors have been on the ground for a week now and are continuing to make contact with our most impacted customers to review the extent of the damage,’’ Tippet said.
Some policyholders were concerned about red stickered properties that weren’t yet safe to access. ‘‘There is also a risk of further damage being caused in a number of areas if there is additional severe rainfall.’’
Speaking on Thursday, Tower chief claims officer Steve Wilson said many homes were ankle to knee deep in mud or water, and some homes had been pushed off their foundations and had moved downhill during landslips.
‘‘We expect more claims to come through as rain and flooding subsides, and it is safe for customers and assessors to evaluate the damage to homes and contents.’’ Some holiday home owners had not yet been able to check their homes for damage, he said.
‘‘We’re focused on removing damaged materials and contents out of affected houses as quickly as possible, so we can dry homes out before we begin repairing homes.’’
Tower had also set up a claims and advice hub in Nelson.
‘‘We expect more claims to come through as rain and flooding subsides.’’