Most quake claims now assessed as $3.6m paid

wta210114abcracks02.jpg Cracks in the Masterton-Castlepoint Rd near Bennett's Hill following the 6.2 Eketahuna earthquake. WMM 25Jan14 - CREAK: Cracks in the Masterton-Castlepoint road after Mond

The Earthquake Commission has now completed the majority of assessments for the Eketahuna earthquake says Barry Searle, EQC national operations manager.

EQC received more than 5000 claims for damage from the 6.2 magnitude Eketahuna earthquake, which occurred on January 20, 15km east of Eketahuna.

"We've had a great team out on the ground assessing properties that were damaged in the January event and I'm pleased to say that we are now through the bulk of assessments," Mr Searle says.

Most claims received were for damage to buildings only (72%), followed by building and contents (11%); contents only (9%); building and land (5%); land only (2%), and building, contents and land (1%).

The majority (99%) of these claims have now been assessed.

EQC assessed the areas nearest the epicentre first, where the more serious damage occurred, through Eketahuna, Woodville, Pahiatua and Masterton.

"We are making excellent progress with the settlement of these claims, having settled over 1000 claims at a total value of $3.68 million," Mr Searle says.