The storm of 16-19 July 2021 that affected large parts of the country led to $140.5 million in insurance pay-outs across to the community covering 5,534 claims. Worst affected areas included Buller and Westland, particularly Westport, as well as parts of the lower North Island, upper South Island and Wellington.

“The importance and value of insurance is powerfully demonstrated during events like this,” said Tim Grafton, Chief Executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand – Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa. “Insurers can often provide immediate assistance covering emergency repairs, providing cash advances or emergency accommodation depending on the policy.

“As the flood waters recede, insurers stand with the community as together repairs get done and property replaced. Covid, disrupted supply chains and increased costs, often borne by insurers, and shortages of materials and tradies mean this can take longer than in the past, but it’s something the sector is committed to working through with communities.”

The storm left a raft of damage across much of the country, with severe flood damage in Westport, as well as slips and flooding throughout the upper South Island, lower North Island and Wellington.  

Combined, there have been 3,939 claims for house and contents, 989 commercial and businesses related claims and 570 claims for motor vehicles.

Breakdown of claims by region
	West Coast	Upper South Island	Wellington	North Island	Total
Number of claims	1,864	996	1,624	1,032	5,534
Value of claims	$97.23 m	$17.35 m	$17.88 m	$8.04 m	$140.50 m

“Insurance is an essential service when it comes to disaster response and to helping rebuild communities after the worst happens across Aotearoa. Over the long term, insurance’s is also an essential voice in helping to minimise risk and building resilient communities, especially as the impacts of climate change are becoming more frequent and severe.” said Tim.

ENDS – KA MUTU

Contact/Tukua ki: [email protected]

Notes to Editors

Only 2020’s Timaru hailstorm ($170 m), 2004’s lower North Island storm, ($148 m inflation adjusted) and 1984’s Invercargill flood ($147.7 m inflation adjusted), have been more costly extreme weather events for insurers.

Combined weather-related losses for flooding and severe weather, 16-19 July 2021

Claim type	Claims	Insured losses ($m)
Domestic	3,939	111.95
Commercial Material Damage	945	19.88
Business Interruption/Loss of Profits	44	1.19
Marine (including Land Transit)	120	.15
Motor Vehicle	570	5.78
Other	24	1.55
TOTAL	5,534	140.50

Buller and Westland  

Claim type	Claims	Insured losses ($m)
Domestic	1,368	87.92
Commercial Material Damage	171	5.80
Business Interruption/Loss of Profits	11	.08
Marine (including Land Transit)	2	.05
Motor Vehicle	307	3.13
Other	5	.24
TOTAL	1,864	97.23

Upper South Island (excluding Buller and Westland)  

Claim type	Claims	Insured losses ($m)
Domestic	563	7.79
Commercial Material Damage	316	7.12
Business Interruption/Loss of Profits	13	.80
Marine (including Land Transit)	6	.06
Motor Vehicle	90	1.39
Other	8	0.18
Total	996	17.35

Wellington

Claim type	Claims	Insured losses ($m)
Domestic	1,342	13.73
Commercial Material Damage	190	3.09
Business Interruption/Loss of Profits	10	0.40
Marine (including Land Transit)	1	.003
Motor Vehicle	90	0.76
Other	9	0.26
TOTAL	1,642	17.88

North Island (excluding Wellington)  

Claim type	Claims	Insured losses ($m)
Domestic	666	2.51
Commercial Material Damage	268	3.87
Business Interruption/Loss of Profits	10	0.27
Marine (including Land Transit)	3	0.03
Motor Vehicle	83	0.49
Other	2	0.87
TOTAL	1,032	8.04

NB: all figures are for private insured losses and are rounded to two decimal places.