Three month window for quake claims

A damaged house on Courtenay Drive following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Christchurch. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The Earthquake Commission has confirmed it will accept the claims arising from the Canterbury earthquake and its aftershocks for up to three months from the date the damage occurred.

"While the statutory notice period for lodging claims with EQC for earthquake-related damage is 30 days, or three months under certain circumstances, EQC has typically interpreted this provision to give claimants the benefit of the full three month period," EQC chief executive Ian Simpson said today.

"To avoid any doubt, and to provide assurance to those affected by the Canterbury earthquake, regulations will be made under the EQC Act to extend formally the notice period for all Canterbury Earthquake claims to three months.

"Nevertheless we still want people to get their claims in as soon as possible."

- NZPA