Increased Flooding Vulnerability (IFV)
In some parts of Canterbury the earthquakes caused changes to residential land which means some properties are now vulnerable to flooding where previously they were not.
Some properties are now more likely to experience a greater depth and/or frequency of flooding. However, it is important to note that Christchurch is a flat, low-lying city and there have always been areas prone to flooding.
The above diagram shows how ground subsidence from the Canterbury earthquakes has made some properties more vulnerable to flooding.
How does a property qualify for IFV?
When EQC's engineers assess whether a property qualifies for IFV land damage, they address two key questions:
- Is the insured land vulnerable to flooding?
- Has the insured land become more vulnerable to flooding as a result of subsidence of that land caused by the 2010-2011 Canterbury earthquakes?
A property will only qualify for IFV where subsidence to the insured land has caused it to become more vulnerable to flooding as a result of the Canterbury Earthquakes. If a property was already prone to flooding prior to the earthquake, and the flooding vulnerability has not changed, then it will not qualify.
Toka Tū Ake EQC covers IFV damage to insured land only as outlined above.
IFV - Questions and Answers