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Media statements
EQC has now received 1,552 claims from the 4.9 magnitude Boxing Day earthquake.
30 December 2010
“We expect this to rise substantially as people return from holiday and find that existing damage has got worse and/or that new damage has occurred,” the chief executive of the Earthquake Commission, Ian Simpson, said today.
“The number of claims from this latest earthquake so far compares with the 2,803 we have received from the magnitude 5.0 October 19 aftershock and 1,963 from the magnitude 4.9 November 14 aftershock.
“This brings the total number of claims we have received from the September 4 earthquake and the three main aftershocks to 163, 018.
“Any residential property owner with new damage or old damage made worse by the aftershock should call EQC on 0800 326 243 (international call +64 4 978 6400 or +64 4 978 6401) or go to the EQC website (eqc.govt.nz). If an owner has lodged a claim for the 4 September earthquake and/or a previous aftershock, has not had the property inspected, and the damage has worsened, EQC will add this to the existing claim.
“If an owner has not made a claim before, or if it is new and separate damage, or if the owner has had an earlier claim settled, then the owner will be lodging an entirely new claim. People have three months from 26 December to make a claim.
“Sixty four of the claims from the Boxing Day event have been reported as serious, 266 as moderate and 1,222 as minor. Thirty seven homes have been reported as no longer weatherproof and 10 as no longer habitable. We are giving these claims priority.
“The most common claim from the latest aftershock has been for damage to interior walls and doors (666), followed by external walls (490), contents (399),ceilings (360), floors (320), foundations (255), windows (188), roof/roof space (155), outbuildings (109), chimney/fireplace (94), land (94), hot water cylinders (90), services such water/sewer (74), basins/sinks (57), retaining walls (43), and toilets (42).
“Under our emergency repair provisions, homeowners can get work done to secure or waterproof a property, remove a badly broken chimney, or fix broken service such as sewer, water or power. They need to arrange the work themselves and send the invoice with supporting documentation to EQC, P O Box 10353, Wellington.
“In the meantime, assessments, settlements and payments continue. As of today, we have settled 27,322 claims, completed assessments for a further 20,484, and begun assessments for another 24,985. This total of 72,791 is up 2,422 since this time last week and is 45 percent of all claims lodged.
“The total number of claims will reduce as we sort through them and weed out duplicates and the like. There are likely to be numerous place marker claims, which means claims lodged where no obvious damage exists but could be found on inspections and assessments after the deadline. Accordingly, the above figures are likely to understate the progress we are making on processing the number of single, valid claims.
“As of today, EQC has paid out $580.77 million dollars to claimants with residential property damaged by the Canterbury earthquakes. This is an increase of $47.13 million on this time last week.
“The total paid to date is a significant portion of the current estimated cost to us of $2.75 billion to $3.5 billion. EQC is only liable for the first $1.5 billion of the cost of the claims after which our reinsurance takes effect. Reinsurance covers the costs between $1.5 billion and $4 billion.
“On the above basis, this would leave around $4.5 billion in the Natural Disaster Fund plus reinsurance support in place for an additional $2.5 billion which would leave a good buffer in place for future natural disaster events.
“We have 225 loss adjusters and estimators plus support staff working over the holiday period. They are currently working the five days from Monday to Friday this week, and then back to six days a week from next Monday.
“Call centres remain staffed 24 hours a day and seven days a week right through the period. Payments and other EQC staff are working through as well.
“We are working on claims of those we know are at home during the holiday period and from Monday 17 January will resume our normal suburb-by-suburb assessment process. If you are on holiday between now and 16 January you will not be affected i.e. you will not lose your place in the queue.” Mr Simpson concluded.
END
Contact:
Jo Martin Communications Adviser
Phone (029) 978-6430
Email info@eqc.govt.nz