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EQC doesn't cover damage to your vehicle

15 Nov 2010

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Auckland – 8 September 2010 – AA Insurance is advising customers whose vehicles were damaged in Saturday’s earthquake to contact their insurance company now as the Earthquake Commission does not cover damage to vehicles.

“There is some confusion about what is and isn’t covered by the Earthquake Commission and, while the EQC covers damage to buildings and their contents, it does not cover damage to vehicles” says Martin Fox, Deputy General Manager, AA Insurance. “People need to contact their insurer directly to make a claim.

“We have only had a very slight increase in motor claims since the earthquake, and a large number of our customers in the area haven’t contacted us yet although we suspect many vehicles have been damaged,” says Mr Fox. 

“While damage may seem slight, it may still represent a safety issue. Just because a vehicle starts, it doesn’t mean that it’s safe to drive. If a customer suspects their vehicle may have suffered flood damage, or it has been hit by sludge they should call AA Insurance, or their insurer, before attempting to drive it. AA Insurance will discuss the damage with the customer and, if necessary, send a qualified assessor to check the vehicle’s condition.”

Most of the claims AA Insurance has received have been very minor – damage from falling bricks, or dents and scratches sustained while the vehicle was parked in a garage. While this damage may look minor, it may have affected the safety of the car so it is important to contact your insurer first. People shouldn’t risk driving a car that isn’t in a safe condition when it is relatively straightforward to get their vehicle repaired.

Customers who have contacted AA Insurance appear concerned getting their vehicle repaired is trivial compared to what others are going through – for example those who may have lost their family home. Customers seem reluctant to hold up the phone lines in case someone more in need can’t get through. “We have a dedicated team of motor specialists dealing solely with motor claims to prevent any impact on customers whose home and contents have been damaged,” says Mr Fox. “We want our customers to get their lives back to normal as quickly as possible.

“Vehicles are currently being fixed very quickly, we can guarantee the quality of the repairs and we have a large fleet of rental vehicles in Christchurch to help our customers keep moving while their vehicle is off the road.”

Key contacts

Melodie Vickars

Position: Marketing and Communications Manager, AA Insurance

DDI: (09) 966 8549

Mobile: 021 477 578

Email: communications|at|aainsurance|dot|co.nz

Amelia Macandrew

Position: Corporate Affairs Manager, AA Insurance

DDI: (09) 966 8445

Mobile: 021 452 777

Email: communications|at|aainsurance|dot|co.nz

Gavin Ogden

Position: Botica Butler Raudon Public Relations

DDI: (09) 303 3862

Mobile: 021 403 503

Email: gavino|at|botica|dot|co.nz