The Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ) is advising Northlanders affected by recent severe weather to contact their insurance brokers early, as claims begin to come through.
The call comes after major disruption across Northland, where around 500 people were evacuated in Kaitāia after torrential rain caused rivers to swell and flood homes and streets. States of local emergency were also declared in the Far North and Whangārei districts on March 26, with Civil Defence saying the Far North declaration was made as communities were already being isolated and at least 17 local roads had been closed.
IBANZ said its members are on standby to help policyholders understand their cover and start the claims process. About half of all general insurance in New Zealand is arranged through brokers, according to the association, which said these advisers often step in when claims need to be made.
“Your broker can help relieve stress in times like this by reviewing your policies, clearly explaining the coverage you have, taking care of the paperwork to lodge a claim, and advocating on your behalf to ensure a fair outcome,” IBANZ chief executive Katherine Wilson said.
The association is encouraging those with broker-arranged cover to get in touch as soon as possible for guidance on what to do next. For people who are unsure how to reach their broker, IBANZ said a searchable list of its members is available.
It also urged affected residents to focus first on immediate steps that could support a future claim. That includes making sure it is safe to enter a property, taking photos or videos of damage, and making a list of anything that has been damaged or destroyed.
Where possible, people should also try to prevent further loss by covering exposed areas and protecting undamaged belongings. Receipts for emergency purchases or temporary repairs should be kept, IBANZ said, as these may be needed when lodging a claim.
