Quake claims exceed 5000

Dave Claude was this month assessing the safety of houses in Eketahuna after the 6.2 earthquake that struck near the town on January 20.

More than 5000 claims for damage caused by the magnitude 6.2 Eketahuna earthquake earlier this year have been lodged with the Earthquake Commission (EQC)

The three-month deadline for lodging claims with EQC for the January 20 quake was yesterday.

In total, 5013 claims were made.

EQC national operations manager Barry Searle said while areas closest to the epicentre, 10km north of Castlepoint, suffered the most damage, the most claims came from residents in Palmerston North.

"In this event, EQC has prioritised claims involving vulnerable persons/families, then the claims closest to the epicentre, followed by all other claims."

So far, 70 per cent of assessments for claims have been completed, with 234 claims settled.

To date, $958,000 has been paid out, with residents from Palmerston North receiving more than $61,700, Tararua about $448,000 and those in Masterton more than $371,000.

More than $27,800 has been paid out for claims lodged in Manawatu, and over $4500 for claims from Carterton.APNZ