Insurers step up for flood-hit Dunedin

Insurers step up for flood-hit Dunedin | Insurance Business New Zealand

Catastrophe & Flood

Insurers step up for flood-hit Dunedin

Tips outlined to help brokers assist affected clients

Catastrophe & Flood

By
Roxanne Libatique

AMI, State, and NZI Insurance (NZI) are extending support to customers impacted by the recent flooding and heavy rainfall in Dunedin and nearby regions.

The insurers are encouraging those affected to reach out for assistance, including temporary accommodation and financial help, as the situation unfolds.

Insurance claims advice for residents impacted by Dunedin flooding

Wayne Tippet, executive general manager claims for AMI and State, acknowledged that assessing the damage during such events can be difficult, particularly for customers who have had to evacuate their homes or businesses. However, he urged customers to make contact as soon as they are safe.

“We encourage customers who are safe and out of immediate danger to contact us so we can provide essential support such as emergency temporary accommodation, payment support for customers staying with family or friends, and to lodge any claims,” he said.

AMI and State customers are advised to file claims online for quicker service, though phone support is also available. Meanwhile, NZI customers are asked to contact their brokers for assistance.

With a state of emergency declared in Dunedin and heavy rain warnings issued, the insurers also stressed the importance of monitoring updates from Civil Defence and local weather forecasts to ensure personal safety.

Steps for handling flood damage

AMI, State, and NZI are offering several key tips that insurance companies and brokers could share with their clients who are dealing with property and vehicle damage caused by flooding:

Prioritise personal and family safety before addressing any damage to property or vehicles.
Once safe, contact the insurer to report damage as soon as possible, especially if temporary housing is needed.
Avoid returning to flood-affected homes or businesses until it has been declared safe to do so.
If it’s safe to start cleaning up, do so to prevent further damage, but take proper precautions. Wear protective gear when handling potentially contaminated floodwater.
Keep items that are damaged for insurance assessment, and document the damage with photographs. Do not discard anything until after speaking with the insurer.
If floodwater has entered your property, ensure the power is off at the mains and have an electrician inspect the property before turning it back on.

Customers whose vehicles have been damaged by floodwaters are advised not to attempt driving their cars. Instead, they should contact their insurer to arrange towing and, if covered, request a temporary replacement vehicle.

NZI customers are advised to reach out to their brokers for claims support, and general advice is available through IAG New Zealand’s Disaster Claims Hub.

The insurers are also providing a series of resources to assist with flood recovery, which includes guides on claims processes, handling floodwater, documenting damage, and dealing with specific issues like waterlogged carpet.

ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between central and local governments, the private sector, and communities to mitigate climate risks.

He responded to the recent Finance and Expenditure Select Committee report, which highlighted the urgency of preparing for climate change.

Faafoi supported the idea of establishing a national framework to manage natural hazard risks, while allowing flexibility for local conditions.

“New Zealanders need certainty about the way natural hazard risks are going to be managed, both now and in the future. We support a framework that would create a consistent approach nationally but allow for local flexibility,” he said.