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Insurance Council issues guidance on how to handle flood damage claims, and those exacerbated by quake damage

Insurance Council issues guidance on how to handle flood damage claims, and those exacerbated by quake damage

Content supplied by the Insurance Council of NZ

Homeowners affected directly as a result of storm or flood damage over the past couple of days should contact their insurers to have damage assessed, the Insurance Council of New Zealand advised today.

Insurers will respond as soon as possible to make assessments. 

If residents have to remove damaged goods from their homes or dispose of material, for instance, due to contamination that poses a risk to health, then they should take photos to help inform the assessments. 

When the weather abates and water levels drop, then they should remove articles like water-logged carpets or saturated bedding and air their homes to minimise mold from occurring. 

“We encourage homeowners to seek advice from their insurer if they are uncertain about what to do,”  said Chief executive Tim Grafton.

“Homeowners also need to let their insurer know if they have damage issues that poses a risk to their health and safety as a result of weather damage, so repairs can be made,” he said.

If there are homeowners with over cap earthquake damage which is creating weather tightness issues as a result of earthquake damaged to their properties, then they should alert their insurer too.  EQC is responsible for those with under cap claims.

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