Insurers have provided $203.9 million of support to Kiwi communities this year across more than 27,000 claims for severe weather events.

The figures, released by the Insurance Council, show that insurer support for communities is as essential now as it has ever been.

“Insurers provide a lot of support into local communities in the wake of natural disasters and severe weather events,” said ICNZ chief executive Tim Grafton. 

“Not only do insurers pay claims, they go into affected communities to help them recover from these events in a concrete, measurable way. They get in there, boots on the ground, and assess damage and risk, liaise with local councils, and speak to community members about their policies and claims processes to help them get back on their feet sooner.”

“It is vital that insurance remains accessible to New Zealanders. That’s why we work closely with local government both during and between these weather events to help them understand the risks their communities face and both adapt to and mitigate those risks,”
Grafton said. 

“These events are frequent reminders of the impacts climate change is having on our country. By addressing these risks and doing something about them now, we can help keep insurance accessible for the everyday New Zealanders it benefits the most.”

The final figures from Cyclone Fehi, which hit in early-February, show the storm cost a total of $45.9 million across 3750 claims. Cyclone Gita, in late February, cost $35.6m across 4694 claims. And the April 27 to 29 storms, which saw severe flooding and a state of emergency declared in Rotorua, have cost $16.1m across 1475 claims so far.