CLAIMS HANDLING IN KAIKOURA SIMPLI­FIED

13 December, 2016

Vero Insurance today welcomed the announcement of an agreement with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) which will see private insurers act on EQC’s behalf and manage all claims from their own customers from the Kaikoura earthquake.

Under the agreement announced by EQC and the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ), Vero will act as EQC’s agent and receive, assess, and settle home and contents claims for earthquake damage from Vero customers, regardless of whether they are under or over cap. EQC will assess land damage as land is not covered by private insurance policies.

Executive General Manager of Claims, Jimmy Higgins, said the agreement would simplify and speed up the claims handling process for its customers.

“Vero is highly experienced in disaster management, and this new process will allow us to provide an end-to-end claims service to our customers,” said Mr Higgins.

“This streamlined approach to handling claims is one of the many learnings to come out of the Canterbury earthquakes, and we are committed to showing the difference this will make to our customers, knowing they only have to deal with us, and that we’ll look after them.”

Kaikoura earthquake – important information for customers affected by the quake.

• Customers who have registered a claim with EQC only do not need to do anything further. EQC has provided your claim details to us and we will be in touch shortly to discuss your claim.
• Customers with serious damage or who need urgent work to make their home safe, and who have not received a visit from us, should call us on Call us0800 808 121 (select option 3 for the Kaikoura earthquake team).
• Customers who have not yet made a claim can lodge one online at vero.co.nz/kaikouraeq, by calling us on one of the numbers below, or by contacting their broker or adviser.
  • Vero Natural Disaster Line, call Call us0800 808 121
  • If you're an AMP Customer, call Call us0508 806 241
  • If you're an ANZ Customer, call Call us0800 269 2524
  • If you're a Warehouse Money Customer, call Call us0800 801 814

For more information on the agreement, see the full Memorandum of Understanding Relating to Kaikoura Earthquake Claims Management.