Media update

Monday 15 February

EQC receives nearly 500 claims following latest Canterbury earthquakes

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) has received 496 claims in the 24 hours following yesterday’s magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Canterbury, EQC chief executive Ian Simpson says.

Customers have three months until Monday 16 May to make claims so it is too early to draw any conclusions about the final number of claims or the total cost of damage, Mr Simpson says.

“We will continue monitoring the situation to understand the resources we will need and to make sure the process meets the needs of our customers.

“Planning is underway, drawing on the lessons of the past five years, so that we can stage the most efficient response to this latest earthquake,” Mr Simpson says.

Mr Simpson says yesterday’s quakes were a reminder of the natural hazard risks that New Zealanders live with.

“It is a good time to think about fixing and fastening items that are precious or could cause damage of injury in an earthquake,” Mr Simpson says.

ends

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