Stay safe and contact your insurer early - ICNZ

Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz declared a State of Emergency last night in the Tairawhiti area after heavy rain fell and rivers started to rise in an already sodden region.

“This gives our whānau and community a chance to self-evacuate and make preparations to ensure they are self-sufficient for at least the next three days,” Stoltz said.

ICNZ says that while, as of Thursday evening, there hadn’t been any reports of widespread property damage, insurers would do their best to deal with new claims.

However, those claims will be coming in on top of the 19,786 combined claims for Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle. Those claims, according to ICNZ, have topped $1 billion.

“After all that people have been through in recent times, its heartbreaking to hear of yet another Red Heavy Rain Warning, State of Emergency in Tairawhiti and evacuations,” says ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton.

Grafton says insurers will  continue to do their best to assist the people in the affected areas through both this event and the ongoing recovery from the series of disastrous weather events that hit the country earlier this year.

“Contact your insurer early if you suffer flood or storm damage, especially if you need to arrange temporary accommodation or emergency repairs; which should only be done if it is safe to do so,” says Grafton.

“Even if you already have a claim in from events earlier in the year, or have done repair work since then, it’s essential any new damage is properly recorded and reported to your insurer.”

For many, the quickest way to lodge a claim will be through their insurer’s website.

Insurance Advice

• Follow instructions from Civil Defence and emergency services.
• Do not do anything that puts your safety at risk or causes more damage to your property.
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible.
• Avoid entering flood water, either on foot or in a vehicle. Flood water can contain raw sewage and contaminants, conduct electricity and mask hidden hazards, and poses a serious risk hazard to health. It may be deeper, or moving faster than you expect.
• Try to make buildings safe and weatherproof but do not make emergency repairs unless it is safe to do so. Don’t start non-essential repairs without approval from your insurance company.
• If water has entered your property do not turn on your electricity until it has been inspected by an electrician.
• Get essential services, such as water, electricity, gas, and sewerage repaired and keep copies of invoices.
• Do what’s necessary to make your home safe and sanitary. When cleaning, wear a mask, gloves, and overalls to minimise exposure to possibly hazardous materials.
• Take pictures and make a list of any perishables you have to dispose of.
• Photograph, remove, and discard any water or mud-damaged goods that pose a health risk, such as saturated carpets and soft furnishings.
• Take photos of any other damaged property to help speed up your claims.
• Mark and take a photo of where flood water reached its highest level within your property.
• Keep any damaged items that don’t pose a health and safety risk.
• Do not drive your vehicle if it has suffered water damage.