Insurers start counting the cost of flooding as homeowners log claims

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Auckland has been hammered by heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Hundreds of home and vehicle owners whose property was damaged in flooding during Monday’s North Island tornado have lodged insurance claims.

The country’s largest insurance company IAG has so far received more than 1000 claims.

Wayne Tippet, IAG claims executive general manager, said it had had claims from Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

“As of 8am this morning, AMI has received 482 claims and State has received 254. NZI, Lantern, NAC and Swann, as well as our bank partners, ASB, Westpac, BNZ, and the Co-operative Bank, have received a combined total of 324 claims,” he said.

* More than 300 insurance claims follow Saturday's Auckland tornado

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Torrential rain caused flooding on many roads.

“In total, across all our brands, we have received 1060 claims.”

Record rainfall led to extensive flooding and damaged roads in Auckland and Northland.

Auckland recorded one month worth of rain in 10 hours, with 109 millimetres of rainfall in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore. The monthly average is 85 to 90mm.

More than 4000 lighting strikes hit Auckland and lower Northland on Monday morning.

Metservice lifted its severe thunderstorm watch for Auckland just after midday on Monday.

Emily Davies, spokeswoman for insurer Tower, said 91 claims related to the storm had been received with a significant number flooded cars.

“House claims are predominantly for surface flooding and roof leaks. We’ve also received a small number of contents claims,” Davies said.

Those numbers were expected to rise over the week., she said.

An AA Insurance spokeswoman had

so far handled around 250 home and 100 contents claims, and around 75 motor claims from customers across Auckland and as far north as Mangawhai.

Tippet said homeowners affected by the severe weather should follow safety advice and guidance from Civil Defence and local authorities.

A woman carries her daughter through flooded waters in the Auckland CBD in March. (File photo)

IAG also issued guidance for people who had experienced flood damage.

This included not doing anything that puts themselves at risk, or could potentially cause more damage.

“If water has entered your home or business, turn off the power at the mains, and have an electrician check the power supply before turning it back on,” he said.

“When it’s safe to enter the property, use a permanent ink pen to make a small mark on the wall at the maximum height of the flood water. Do this in every room affected by flooding.

“Clean up as much as you can to prevent further damage, but until we’ve had a chance to assess your claim, only throw away spoiled food or soft furnishings (such as mattresses, couch, bedding) and make notes on your loss schedule before doing so.”

He said most items could be repaired, cleaned or sanitised, and moving items outside could help dry them out if they were wet.

Items should be kept under cover or put in a garage with ventilation to prevent futher damage, he said.

“Before throwing anything away make sure you take lots of photographs and carefully list the items. Items to be thrown away are items that cannot be successfully cleaned. If in doubt, put the item aside for the assessor to view.”

IAG has also warned owners of damaged cars not to drive them.

“If it is safe to do so, start removing water from the interior of the car by using either a wet/dry vacuum or towels to soak up the excess water,” Tippet said.

“Get air moving inside the car by parking it securely undercover, opening the doors and windows and, if possible, using a fan directed at the interior of the vehicle.”