Latest news with #TeKāhuiInihuioAotearoa
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Insurers Stand With Communities As Weather Recovery Begins
New Zealanders are once again facing the challenge of cleaning up and recovering after another round of severe weather, particularly across the upper North and South Islands. "This is tough for communities that had just beginning to get back on their feet after recent major storms," said Kris Faafoi, Chief Executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ). "We encourage people to begin the recovery process safely and as soon as they're able. We understand that not everyone can lodge an insurance claim immediately. "It's important to note that any new damage from this latest weather event will require a separate insurance claim." To support affected residents, Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management has re-established a community information centre at the Motueka Rec Centre on Old Wharf Road. Insurance sector contacts will be available through the centre to provide assistance. "While it's important to contact your insurer as soon as you can, don't delay necessary steps to prevent further damage if it's safe to act," Kris Faafoi said. To help speed up recovery and keep people safe, ICNZ recommends the following: Mark and photograph all damaged items before moving or disposing of them. Make emergency repairs to ensure your home is safe. Keep receipts and records of any urgent work. If your home is open to the weather, you can engage a qualified professional to install temporary protection like tarpaulins provided it's safe to do so. Dispose of water-damaged or contaminated goods that can't be salvaged or cleaned. Use protective gear and keep a detailed list of discarded items. Take photos and save proof of purchase for insurance purposes. Separate cleanable items and don't store unsanitary belongings indoors. Do not remove structural elements like flooring or wall linings or materials that may be hazardous without first speaking to your insurer. This work must be done by qualified professionals. For homes that are uninhabitable, many home and contents policies offer temporary accommodation support. Contact your insurer to find out what's available. Insurers will also manage claims under NHCover, which they manage on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). "If your property has been affected, contact your insurer. They can help arrange assessments for your home and any affected land," Kris Faafoi said. "Your insurer is here to support you and they'll be ready to help as soon as you're able to get in touch and start the claims process." Kris Faafoi also stressed the increasing risks from climate change. "New Zealand is highly vulnerable to climate-related events, and we know that natural disasters are likely to become more frequent and severe. "We have consistently called for a collective nationwide approach, led by Government, to reduce risk by avoiding development in high-risk areas and investing in resilience infrastructure like stopbanks. "By building our resilience to climate change, we can better protect communities and ensure insurance remains accessible in the future," Kris Faafoi said.
Scoop
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Insurers Step Up As Recovery Gets Underway
New Zealanders are now turning their attention to clean-up and recovery efforts following the easing of severe weather conditions across the country, particularly the upper regions of the North and South Islands. The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is encouraging people to begin the recovery process safely and as soon as they're able. "We understand that in the early stages of recovery not everyone can immediately lodge a claim," ICNZ Chief Executive Kris Faafoi said. "While it's important to contact your insurer as soon as you can, don't wait to prevent further damage if it's safe to do so. "Nelson-Tasman Emergency Management has established a community information centre at the Motueka Rec Centre on Old Wharf Road. Insurance staff will be available at the Centre to support affected residents." To help speed up recovery and keep people safe, ICNZ recommends the following: Mark and photograph all damaged items before moving or disposing of them. Make emergency repairs to ensure your home is safe. Keep receipts and records of any urgent work. If your home is open to the weather, you can engage a qualified professional to install temporary protection like tarpaulins provided it's safe to do so. Dispose of water-damaged or contaminated goods that can't be salvaged or cleaned. Use protective gear and keep a detailed list of discarded items. Take photos and save proof of purchase for insurance purposes. Separate cleanable items and don't store unsanitary belongings indoors. Do not remove structural elements like flooring or wall linings or materials that may be hazardous without first speaking to your insurer. This work must be done by qualified professionals. For homes that are uninhabitable, many home and contents policies offer temporary accommodation support. Contact your insurer to find out what's available. "Your insurer is here to support you," Kris Faafoi said. "They'll be ready to help as soon as you're able to get in touch and start the claims process." Insurers will also manage claims under NHCover, which they manage on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). "If your property has been affected, contact your insurer. They can help arrange assessments for your home and any affected land," Kris Faafoi said.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Insurers Support Kiwis As Severe Weather Eases
Press Release – Insurance Council of New Zealand For homes that are uninhabitable, temporary accommodation benefits may be available under many home and contents policies and those affected are encouraged to ask their insurer about available support. As severe weather conditions ease across Canterbury and Wellington, New Zealanders are turning their focus to the clean-up and recovery. The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is encouraging people to take early steps toward recovery if it is safe to do so. 'Insurers recognise that in the early stages of recovery, many people may not be able to quickly lodge a claim,' ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said. 'While you should contact your insurer as soon as possible, don't wait to take steps to reduce further damage and begin recovery if it's safe to do so.' Some practical tips to support a faster and safer recovery include: Mark and photograph all affected items before moving or disposing of them. Carry out emergency repairs to make your home safe. Keep receipts and a record of the work completed. If your home is exposed to the elements, you can engage a qualified professional to install temporary protections (like a tarpaulin), provided it's safe. Dispose of ruined or contaminated items that cannot be salvaged or cleaned. Wear appropriate protective gear and keep a detailed list of what is removed. Take photographs and retain any proof of purchase to support your insurance claim. Separate items that can be cleaned and do not store unsanitary belongings in your home. Do not remove structural elements like flooring, wall linings, or materials that could contain hazardous substances without speaking to your insurer first. Such work must be done by qualified professionals. For homes that are uninhabitable, temporary accommodation benefits may be available under many home and contents policies and those affected are encouraged to ask their insurer about available support. 'Be assured-your insurer is ready to help as soon as you're able to get in touch to lodge a claim,' Kris Faafoi said. 'Your insurer will also be the main point of contact for all claims, including those under NHCover, which they manage on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). 'If your property has been affected, let your insurer know. They can help organise assessments for both your home and any damaged land,' Kris Faafoi said.
Scoop
02-05-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Insurers Support Kiwis As Severe Weather Eases
As severe weather conditions ease across Canterbury and Wellington, New Zealanders are turning their focus to the clean-up and recovery. The Insurance Council of New Zealand | Te Kāhui Inihui o Aotearoa (ICNZ) is encouraging people to take early steps toward recovery if it is safe to do so. "Insurers recognise that in the early stages of recovery, many people may not be able to quickly lodge a claim," ICNZ chief executive Kris Faafoi said. "While you should contact your insurer as soon as possible, don't wait to take steps to reduce further damage and begin recovery if it's safe to do so." Some practical tips to support a faster and safer recovery include: Mark and photograph all affected items before moving or disposing of them. Carry out emergency repairs to make your home safe. Keep receipts and a record of the work completed. If your home is exposed to the elements, you can engage a qualified professional to install temporary protections (like a tarpaulin), provided it's safe. Dispose of ruined or contaminated items that cannot be salvaged or cleaned. Wear appropriate protective gear and keep a detailed list of what is removed. Take photographs and retain any proof of purchase to support your insurance claim. Separate items that can be cleaned and do not store unsanitary belongings in your home. Do not remove structural elements like flooring, wall linings, or materials that could contain hazardous substances without speaking to your insurer first. Such work must be done by qualified professionals. For homes that are uninhabitable, temporary accommodation benefits may be available under many home and contents policies and those affected are encouraged to ask their insurer about available support. "Be assured-your insurer is ready to help as soon as you're able to get in touch to lodge a claim," Kris Faafoi said. "Your insurer will also be the main point of contact for all claims, including those under NHCover, which they manage on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). "If your property has been affected, let your insurer know. They can help organise assessments for both your home and any damaged land," Kris Faafoi said.
