'It is huge': New Zealand sets new weather loss record

A new annual insured loss record for extreme weather has been set in New Zealand just seven weeks into 2023, the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) says.

Insurers have received tens of thousands of claims after unprecedented flooding in Auckland and surrounds in late January, followed by devastation from Cyclone Gabrielle a week ago.

The cyclone killed 11 and has left many on the North Island cut off and without power. New Zealand’s cabinet is meeting today to discuss more support.

“What we’re talking about is these two events exceeding the record year for insured losses for extreme weather events and we’ve got 10 months of the year to go. It is huge,” ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said.

Last year, ICNZ says there were around $NZ350 million ($318 million) of insured losses for extreme weather, which does not include earthquake. That was a record but has already been dwarfed by predictions the Auckland flood losses will come to almost three times that amount, and as claims from Cyclone Gabrielle trickle in.

ICNZ told insuranceNEWS.com.au on Monday it is too early to indicate claims numbers for Cyclone Gabrielle. Tower said on Friday it had received 945 claims so far.

“Some members have reported receiving a few thousand but it’s clearly early days and that event will also be very large,” an ICNZ spokesperson said.

A New Zealand Claims Resolution Service (NZCRS) has been launched, which Toka Tū Ake EQC CEO Tina Mitchell welcomed after working for three years with the insurance sector to set up a ‘one stop shop’ to make residential insurance claims easier after a natural disaster.

Establishing a free, independent advisory service for customers was one of the recommendations of the Public Inquiry into the Earthquake Commission.

“It’s helpful to have free support available from the New Zealand Claims Resolution Service,” Ms Mitchell said. “Homeowners appreciate independent advice if any issues arise.

“We are really pleased to see it up and running. Our thoughts are with everyone who has been so terribly impacted by the extreme weather across the North Island.”

Private insurers also welcomed the announcement as part of the response to natural disasters – including a “growing number of climate-driven extreme weather events that are leading to an unprecedented number of insurance claims”. Mr Grafton says people must still make their insurer their first point of contact when making a claim and “even after major events, the vast majority of claims are settled smoothly”.

“Where services such as the NZCRS come into their own is their ability to offer truly independent, free advice and their ability to talk people through the claims process. This is particularly important where there is a complex claim. Having this understanding can often head off misunderstandings and delays in settling claims.”

ICNZ says the service can help avoid protracted disputes and support recovery in cases with disagreements between around the value of a loss.

Australian firefighters have joined North Island recovery efforts, and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says 28,000 homes remain without power, telecommunications are severely disrupted, roads severely damaged, and fresh water is in short supply in some areas.

More fatalities “remain possible,” he said, and around 2500 people remain reported as unaccounted for.

“The usual systems and processes of government are going to need to change and adapt to the extraordinary circumstances that we find ourselves in,” Mr Hipkins said.

“If we are going to build back better and if we are going to build back quickly some tough calls will need to be made and I am absolutely committed to doing that.”