Insurance Claims Rise From Upper Nth Is. Storm

Insurance claims rise from upper North Island storm

State Insurance has already received more than 200 claims as a result of the storm in the upper North Island and is experiencing an increase of more than 70% in claims inquiries.

As the storm abates, State insurance advises customers to make sure their family is safe before attending to damage at their home.

State has provided the following advice once the storm subsides.

Your home:
* Check your home for damage to windows, wall or roof.
* If you’re returning to your home, make sure the electricity and gas are turned off before going inside. Use only a torch until you’re sure there’s no gas around.
* If you have to step in water to get to your electric box, call an electrician. Always take care when you're walking through flooded water - you can't see what's beneath it.
* Remove what excess water you can and mop sodden carpets.
* Don’t eat food that’s been in contact with flood water and boil water until supplies have been declared safe.
* Tell your insurer if your house is uninhabitable. Your house insurance will usually cover you for temporary accommodation.

Appliances:
* Don’t use electrical items that got wet, have them professionally tested.
* Check that your smoke detectors are still working.

Outside:
* Beware of fallen power lines, damaged trees and flooded creeks.
* Don’t let children play in or near flood waters.
* If you must enter flood waters, wear solid shoes, not jandals or bare feet, and check the depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water that is more than knee-deep.
* Don’t drive until you know it’s safe.
* Contact your local council for advice about cleaning up debris.

Garden
* Sweep leaves and debris away from drains and fix any that are blocked to make sure storm water can flow away.

Roof
* Clean gutters and down pipes to reduce blockages and fire hazards and check inside the roof for leaks.

Head of State Insurance Martyn Collett says State staff are working flat out to help customers that have been affected by the storm. They’re also helping people into temporary accommodation.

"Customers’ health and safety is always the first priority in these events,’’ he said. It’s important people make sure family members are safe before they start to assess the damage to their home.’’

Mr Collett says State’s efforts are currently focused on seeing all customers affected by the weather as soon as they can.

"We have a number of loss adjustors in the Northland area and have engaged external loss adjustors and our builder and supplier network to assist on the ground. Getting access to some properties to assess damage is proving difficult due to the flooding and road closures,’’ says Mr Collett. "Once access is cleared, we will be bringing in extra loss adjustors to help determine the amount of damage to our customers’ property.’’

State is receiving calls for damage resulting from both the high winds and flooding.

The insurer says it expects the number of claims to rise as the weather improves and the community starts to get a clearer picture of the damage.

State customers affected can contact 0800 80 24 24 for help if they haven’t already. They can also lodge claims online at www.state.co.nz/Making-Claims/.

Mr Collett says flooding is still the most significant cause of claims disasters in New Zealand. "Unfortunately, this situation is only likely to be exacerbated further by global warming and climate change.’’

ENDS

© Scoop Media