Source: Radio New Zealand
A house in Milton, Otago, had its roof ripped off in October wild weather. (File photo) RNZ/ Calvin Samuel
About 10,000 insurance claims have been lodged as a result of the wild weather that battered New Zealand last month.
Severe wind and heavy rain warnings were issued for much of the South Island and the lower North Island.
A wind storm on 23 October cut power to tens of thousands of homes, tore off roofs, and downed trees and fences, leading to a state of emergency being declared in Southland and Clutha.
The Insurance Council said about 70 percent of claims were from Southland and Otago.
“Most of the claims received to date are for wind-related damage, and insurers are working with customers to assess and progress these as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said.
FMG – the country’s biggest rural insurer – said it had received more than 3000 claims from severe wind on 23 October that were expected to cost more than $28 million.
Damage in Southland. (File photo) Supplied / Emergency Management Southland
“Of these claims, approximately 1,500 are from Southland and 700 are from Otago,” a spokesperson said.
“We had over 650 claims for Canterbury and over 80 of those related to irrigators.
“We’re not expecting the number of claims to change significantly now. We’re continuing to work to resolve claims as quickly as possible – with 10 percent of claims closed and over $1.5m already in communities.”
FMG had also received about 350 claims from severe wind on October 21 with about 100 coming from Canterbury.
Tower’s head of natural disaster response Lisa Maxwell said Tower received 850 claims from the storm.
“260 of these are from our customers in the Southland region and 150 from our customers in Otago,” Maxwell said.
“The majority of claims are for minor damage, for example, fences, roofing and damage from debris.”
An IAG spokesperson said its AMI, State and NZI brands had received more than 4300 claims from 23 October.
“More than 3,000 of those claims were received from customers in Southland and Otago regions,” the spokesperson said.
“Most of the strong wind damage caused smashed windows and doors, flying roofs and sheds, and also spoiled food as a result of the power outages.
“Additionally, the hailstorm affecting Timaru and South Canterbury on 15 November has prompted more than 1,000 claims.
“At this stage, it’s too early to put a cost to these events.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
