The Christchurch 'rebuild'

Christchurch: 70% of quake claims not yet dealt with

Radio New Zealand,

20 February, 2013

Two years after the 2011 February earthquake, about 70% of residential insurance claims requiring major repairs or a rebuild, have not been dealt with.

A progress report issued on Wednesday shows insurers have distributed $6.7 billion in commercial and residential claims in Canterbury.

Insurance Council chief executive, Tim Grafton said insurers have been able to start dealing with a majority of claims only in the last six months.

Mr Grafton said the hold-up is due to the technical land damage assessments being available nine months ago and ongoing earthquakes.

He said insurers have dealt with the disaster well and are preparing to ramp up the recovery process.

Some insurers have set deadlines which will see most homes rebuilt or repaired by the end of 2015.