Deadline set for quake claims

TUMBLE: Damage to the Four Square store in Eketahuna.

People who suffered damage to their home, land or contents from the Eketahuna earthquake on Monday have until April 22 to lodge their claim with the Earthquake Commission.

People can claim on line at eqc.govt.nz/claims or call 0800 DAMAGE (326 243) or email on info@eqc.govt.nz. EQC covers earthquake damage to homes (up to $100,000 + GST), contents (up to $20,000 + GST) and a defined area of residential land.

Residents must have had a fire insurance contract with an insurance company on the home and contents at the time of the event to make a claim.

"EQC has received over 650 claims since the Eketahuna quake on Monday," said EQC national operations manager Barry Searle.

Most claims are coming from the lower North Island areas of greater Wellington, Wairarapa and the Manawatu.

Claims received have been for mostly minor damage to homes or damaged contents.

There is sufficient cover through levies, reinsurance and the Crown guarantee to provide for all valid claims. EQC will bring in additional field staff if required to deal with the influx of claims.

Once EQC gets a better idea of the numbers it is dealing with, it will mobilise assessors to inspect earthquake damage.

"People need to hold on to damaged items, other than perishables.

"Claims are still coming in so it's too early to say when we'll get to customers, but we will keep them up to date through advertising and on our website www.eqc.govt.nz.

"If people need to take action to make their home safe, secure and weathertight, they should keep records and photographs of the changes made so that they can recover costs if their claim is valid," Mr Searle said.