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More than 1000 homes and businesses have lodged claims after twisters tore through Taranaki last month and the Insurance Council has put the cost at more than $8 million.
Damage claims after the July 4 and 5 twisters have been lodged by 813 homeowners and 398 commercial property owners.
Insurance Council manager John Lucas said the $8 million also covered business interruption, accommodation for people whose homes were wrecked, motor vehicles and other items.
Taranaki Civil Defence has a $40,000 bill for the hundreds of tarpaulins which were draped over roofless homes and is having a battle to recover the costs.
The Government has told Taranaki Regional Council that it should ask insurance companies to pay out but those companies want precise details of each tarpaulin.
Council environment quality director Gary Bedford said fire-fighting staff had to work at a frantic pace to get the damaged houses under cover and did not have exact records of where all the tarpaulins were used.
He said the council couldn't be expected to provide such a high level of paperwork and in the meantime hire costs were rising by $4000 a week.
"Twelve homeowners don't expect to be back in before Christmas, so it's an ongoing expense."
He said the council had written to insurance companies requesting some leniency on policy details and procedures.
- NZPA
