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EQC focus on emergency repairs
The Earthquake Commission is currently focusing on emergency repairs to houses with habitability and weathertightness issues following Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Christchurch, chief executive Ian Simpson said today.
"We are taking claims and determining whether or not they indicate any or all of the above problems. In all but minor cases of emergency repairs, these are being passed on to our repairs project manager, Fletcher Construction," Mr Simpson said.
"Fletchers are making contact with the claimants or where that is not possible visiting the addresses of the damage. They will then organise the necessary repairs to ensure where possible homes are safe, sanitary and secure.
"We are advising claimants that where emergency repairs appear relatively minor, and under $2000, then the claimants can authorise the repairs and the payment of invoices, which they can submit to EQC for reimbursement. In all other cases, claimants need to contact us so we can pass on their details to our project manager to organise repairs.
"We would like to hear first from those claimants who have properties requiring emergency repairs and generally where the damage is severe. Our claims line is 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243) (international call +64 4 978 6400 or +64 4 978 6401).
"For those in homes with relatively minor damage and without issues to do with safety, habitability and weather-tightness, we request they delay their claim at this point in time.
"People have until 23 May to make a claim for damage that occurred from Tuesday's earthquake.
"From EQC's perspective, for insurance and reinsurance purposes, this is a new event even though scientists have advised it is an aftershock to the 4 September earthquake.
"All new damage and worsened existing damage is being treated as a new claim. Except for emergency repairs, we will be matching new claims with existing claims and when we can start assessing and reassessing again.
"EQC has suspended its claims assessment operations for the present time to focus on the emergency response. We have also offered some EQC staff to assist in the emergency response.
"We expect to be able to build up our assessment operations again from 7 March.
"To date, we have received about 10,000 claims relating to Tuesday's earthquake, with about a quarter of those indicating their homes are either uninhabitable or not weatherproof or both. Our modelling indicates we can expect at least another 100,000 claims relating to Tuesday's event.
”Contact:
Gordon Irving
0299786430