A state of emergency has been declared for flood-hit Auckland, which is bracing for further heavy rains after receiving record amounts in recent days.
The deadly weather event, in which four flash floods killed four people, will be the biggest weather-related claim on record for Auckland – and likely for the whole of New Zealand, the Insurance Board has said. New Zealand (ICNZ).
The start of the school year was delayed by a week due to road damage, and ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said a downpour averaging 250mm on Friday topped records previous about 90 mm.
Such events “will happen more frequently and have more impact”, he said.
“By 2050 we can probably expect records to be well over 300mm for a single day,” Mr Grafton said, adding there were “many lessons to be learned from this disaster”. for infrastructure planning for the future and how to respond to it.
“This is without a doubt the biggest extreme weather event this country has faced. It is a very significant event that will lead to many claims.
The MetService has issued a “red” rain warning for Auckland north of Orewa through Wednesday morning, with residents urged to evacuate to higher ground quickly if they see rising waters.
Insurers have already received thousands of claims and Zurich New Zealand has extended hardship and emergency assistance to affected customers. IAG says it may revise its estimate of annual natural hazard costs in response to flooding, and Suncorp is sending additional claims management resources from its Australian operations to help its local team.
Tower has also strengthened the resources of its contact centers and has evaluators in the field.
“Flood waters continue to threaten many communities in this region,” Zurich said. “In addition to expedited claims resolution for property and auto, we offer emergency and interim payments.”
The Zurich charitable foundation will also match donations made to Auckland City Mission and the Kindness Collective in dollars, up to $50,000, through its fundraising page.
ICNZ has advised businesses to put things out of the reach of potential floodwaters and move vehicles to higher ground. Mr Grafton says commercial insurance can cover damage to premises, lost or damaged inventory, equipment or property belonging to others, vehicles and inability to operate.
“As with others affected by this unprecedented weather event, business owners should register their claims with their insurer as soon as possible,” he said.
“The scale of this event means that, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, business owners can expect repairs and the provision of new inventory and equipment to take longer than normal. “
Some businesses that would normally help others recover are unable to because of the damage they have suffered, he said.
Anna Parker, senior broker at Auckland-based Frank Risk Management, says brokers and claims teams are working ‘around the clock’ to help, and she’s seen neighbors helping each other with food, beds and cleaning, and “welcome to use our office” offers. .
“The insurance world is booming. In extreme times like this, the true measure of assurance kicks in,” Ms Parker said. “Everyone is scrambling to move claims forward. Insurers want to pay them, they want to help, and they want to make sure you feel comfortable during times of uncertainty.
“To my insurance buddies who have been hanging out all weekend…it’s intense and you’re appreciated. You make sure people don’t feel alone.
Runacres Insurance has warned policyholders that the consequences will take time.
“Given the size of this event, resources are stretched and there will be delays in sending people out for cleanup and repairs,” he said. “We are working closely with insurance companies and service providers to get them to you as quickly as possible.”
Beth Worthington, Technical Claims Specialist at Rothbury Insurance Brokers, offered helpful safety tips, such as treating all water as contaminated, not starting a submerged engine or operating flood-damaged electrical appliances, photograph damaged property and retain items for insurer’s appraisers.
“Wow, what a crazy 24 hours it’s been,” she said. “My thoughts are with everyone involved.”