FAQs: 

You’re covered for damage to your home by both Toka Tū Ake EQC and your insurer depending on the cause and type of damage. Your private insurer still manages the total claim to ensure that you receive your full entitlements. For a full explanation of EQCover, please check out this explanation on the EQC website.

Land cover is only provided by Toka Tū Ake EQC although we’ll manage the claim for you on their behalf. Your land cover is limited to certain areas of the property only. In general, it covers an area 8 metres under and around your home and driveways up to 60m from your home.  The full description of what land is covered is detailed on the EQC website.

Land damage is limited to certain causes only, which includes landslip and storm/flood inundation. Where the damage is caused by landslip, it is likely that a geotechnical engineer and a land valuer will need to be engaged to determine the potential solutions for the property. The settlement will be a cash settlement that is calculated based on either the estimated cost of repair or the value of the amount of land damaged, whichever is less.

If the cause is storm/flood that does not involve a landslip, then EQCover will help in some circumstances to clear the land of silt and/or debris. The amount of silt normally needs to be above 15mm before it will be considered damage. These claims are cash settled based on either the estimated cost to clear the area of land covered by EQCover or the value of that land, whichever is less. You can find more information in this EQC Fact Sheet (PDF).

Some landscaping cover is usually available as part of your insurance cover. You qualify for a payment under this benefit if your home is damaged and the same event also damages your gardens, garden edging and lawns. There is a maximum limit that applies, which is dependent on your specific policy. The benefit is not payable in situations where your home was not damaged.   

If the cost of repairing the damage to your house is higher than your policy limit, we will pay that limit only and any damage to landscaping will be included within that limit. If the damage to your house is less severe and the cost of repair is potentially less than the policy limit, you may be eligible for payment under the landscaping benefit.   

 If we are already assessing your home damage, we will calculate the loss to your landscaping at the same time. If not, we can do this assessment remotely. A general description of the landscaping features (area/type etc) will help us to calculate your entitlement.  

Do not try to start or drive any vehicles that have been submerged. We can have them towed to our storage area for assessment. If you need to move vehicles out of the way urgently, please move them to the nearest safe spot that you can, and we can take it from there. And don't forget to remove your contents from the vehicle first.  

Yes, this does happen occasionally, and another claim needs to be lodged. If you are waiting to hear from someone about your first claim, or if it has already been settled, completing a new claim is as easy as using our online claim lodgement form. Or if you need urgent assistance, please call us on 0800 800 134 to lodge your claim. If your claim has not yet been resolved, you may already be in contact with either one of our Vero team members, with Morgan Project Services, or with a loss-adjusting company. In that case, you should send them an email to tell them you have had more damage or phone them if you have an urgent situation. Having your existing claim or reference number available will be very helpful.