June storm inurance claims top $30m

A crushed caravan in Matarangi. Photo / Richie Barnett

The cost of insured damage from this year's June storm has reached $30 million.

The June 9-11 storm that hit much of the Auckland region and east coast of the North Island brought down trees and power lines and cut power to more than 80,000 residents.

It also caused surface flooding as far south as Marlborough and Canterbury.

The Insurance Council of New Zealand Chief Executive Tim Grafton said the $30 million in insured damage from the June storm took the total insurance cost from severe weather events this year to $107 million.

"At the same point last year, insurers had paid out $103 million for insured damage from severe weather events and 2013 was the second costliest year for weather-related damage since 1968, with over $174 million of insured costs," he said.

Insurers paid out $18 million for more than 6000 domestic claims and $9.5 million in commercial material damage claims from the June storm.

Approximately $1.1 million was paid out in motor vehicle claims and $758,000 in marine-related claims.

"We're awaiting provisional figures for the 25 June storm that hit Nelson and Tasman region, as well as the July 8-11 storm that caused severe flooding in Northland but 2014 looks likely to be another costly year for New Zealand from severe weather events.