Severe weather - claims and assistance

Motor vehicle claims 

• Please do not drive flood damaged vehicles due to potential electrical damage and contamination issues.
• For vehicles which had to be abandoned, we can arrange for them to be towed for safe storage and assessment.
• Prior to towing, where possible, please remove all personal belongings, but only if it is safe to do so.
• For vehicles which are at home or a place of work, they can remain where they are and photos can be provided to get their assessment underway.

Contents claims for perishable stock - personal and commercial clients   

• Take photos or videos of the stock
• Make a schedule of the items before disposing of them
• Keep receipts for any disposal costs

Contents claims for personal insurance clients 

• List the items that are water damaged on the claim form. Make sure to include as much information as possible, such as the age of the item, where it was purchased from and the purchase price.
• Take photos (or videos) of the items on the list, including the brand and serial number (where possible).
• Do not dispose of damaged items until a loss adjuster has attended, unless absolutely necessary or advised by the local authorities.
• Try to provide receipts and valuations.
• For perishable stock take photos or videos; make a schedule of the items before disposing of them and keep receipts for any disposal costs
• If the freezer is damaged, take photos of the items and add them to the list on the claims form
• Remove any wet rugs or loose carpet from the property.
• Do not use electrical items that have been water damaged.

Contents claims for commercial clients

• List the items that are water damaged on the claim form.
• Take photos or videos of all damaged stock.
• Do not dispose of stock until a loss adjuster has attended.
• For perishable stock take photos or videos; make a schedule of the items before disposing of them and keep receipts for any disposal costs
• Provide the loss adjuster with wholesale invoices for the damaged stock.
• If possible move any undamaged property, stock or plant to a dry place. 
• Do not use electrical items that have been water damaged.

Buildings claims (homes or businesses) - personal insurance clients 

• Take photos and/or videos of any areas damaged as the result of the event.
• Try to dry or air out the property as much as possible, as soon as you can. 
• If ‘black water’ has entered the premised, (i.e. sewage flooding damage), lift the carpet and underlay if possible and safe to do so and move it outside. If you choose to do this please take photos. 

Buildings claims (homes or businesses) - commercial clients

• Take photos and/or videos of any areas damaged as a result of the event.
• If the property is tenanted, check the tenancy agreement and if the tenant is liable for the carpet and fit out, please ask them to contact their insurer to start the drying process. If the tenant is not liable, then as the landlord you need to urgently make plans to dry or air out the property. 
• If ‘black water’ has entered the premised, (i.e. sewage flooding damage), lift the carpet and underlay if possible and safe to do so and move it outside. If you choose to do this please take photos. 

Cover for home insurance policy holders that have suffered land damage is available through Toka Tū Ake EQC, These claims are managed by the insurer on behalf of EQC,

Fallen trees 

Cover for fallen trees depends on your individual situation and policy wording.

As a general guide, policies don’t cover trees themselves; but you may be covered if a fallen tree has damaged your insured structures (cars, buildings, fences, special or recreational features) ) included or listed in your policy. In these situations, the sections of the tree required to enable safe repairs would be removed – and you’ll need to arrange the tree’s disposal.

Some common examples:

• A tree has fallen and damaged your car or living room - If the fallen tree has damaged your insured property, the cost of repairing the damage as part of your claim would be covered, including removing specific sections of the tree required to enable safe repairs. You’ll then need to arrange and pay for the tree’s disposal.
   
• A tree has fallen over on the lawn or driveway - If the tree has not damaged any insured structures, cover for the cost of cutting up or disposing of the tree does not apply.
   
• A tree has partly fallen against my house, but it hasn’t caused any damage 
  If there is no damage to the house, then the cost of removing the tree would not be included in your claim. You need to take reasonable steps to remove the tree yourself to protect your property and prevent future damage. If you discover damage after removing the tree, please let us know.

Early childcare (ECC) business insurance claims

• Client Advisory: Advice for flood-related claims - updated 13 February - Information for Child Proof insurance policy holders on storm-related claims and ECC Centre closures