Quake-hit Cantabrians urged to make claims

Many Christchurch residents are frustrated by the slow progress on repairing their quake damaged city. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The Earthquake Commission are urging people to make claims for any damage sustained in the February 22 earthquake - even if the have not seen their property since the quake.

Cantabrians have until the end of today to make claims for property and contents damaged in the magnitude 6.3 quake. By law, EQC cannot accept any claims after midnight.

Chief executive Ian Simpson said even people who have not been able to access their properties should still lodge their intention to claim.

"We'd encourage people, only if they do think they've got damage, to lodge a claim but clearly there are some people who still out of the area or maybe they still can't through the remaining cordons to get to see their property. They should definitely place a claim with us."

Those that cannot enter their property to survey the damage but make claims today will receive a claim number. Once the property can be entered the damage and contents can be itemised and the claim processed.

EQC's Mike Henstock said staff were expecting a "big rush" today, as Cantabrians hurry to beat the claim deadline.

As of Friday afternoon, the Earthquake Commission had received more than 330,000 claims for all insurable events since the first earthquake struck last September.

This includes more than 145,000 claims for the February earthquake.

"We would encourage people, even at this late stage, to get their claim in as soon as they can and not to leave it until the last minute. If people don't place a claim by midnight tonight, and then we find damage later on, there's nothing we can do about it," Mr Simpson said.

He said EQC has already paid out more than $17 million in claims from the February earthquake.

- Newstalk ZB