As the wild weather system continues to make its way across the country, AA Insurance is reassuring customers its claims teams are here to help.
To date, AA Insurance has received close to 2,000 claims relating to storm damage across home, contents and motor. The full extent of the damage is expected to become clearer over the coming days and the insurer has extra team members on deck to support all customers who need help.
Simon Hobbs, Acting Chief Executive AA Insurance, said “The many Kiwis impacted by this devastating weather event are in our thoughts and we are focused on supporting customers who are unable to return to their homes. Our priority is ensuring customers’ immediate safety by arranging temporary accommodation, so they have a secure place to stay while their homes are assessed.
“Our assessors continue to survey the worst hit areas of Auckland and have seen firsthand how significant and widespread the damage is. Their reports, combined with anecdotal accounts from our customers, tells us that this event will result in a high volume of claims for the industry – and could be the biggest weather-related claims event in our history.
“We will continue to work closely with all our affected customers to ensure we’re doing everything we can to support them during this challenging time. If you need urgent repairs to make your home safe or watertight, or if you need temporary accommodation, please call us right away. For any non-urgent repairs, we encourage our customers to lodge their claim online at aainsurance.co.nz,” Hobbs said.
With the unsettled weather set to linger into next week, AA Insurance is sharing some tips to help those impacted.
Make sure you, your family and your pets are safe – stay tuned to the latest Civil Defence advice.
If water has entered the house, turn off your electricity if it is safe to do so, especially if the water level is high enough to reach power sockets.
Do not enter flood water, nor operate cars or appliances that have been flooded until they have been professionally assessed. Only drive if it is essential to do so and keep up to date with Waka Kotahi’s website for live updates on road closures.
If rural, check fencing on your property is secure (if it is safe to do so), and move livestock to sheltered areas.
Take photos of damaged property to help speed up the insurance assessment and claims process. Keep damaged items to be assessed, if safe and practical to do so, or take photos of items that are thrown out.
Have essential repairs completed and hold onto invoices – this will help get your insurance sorted.
After the event, if your power is working, start drying out your home and reducing mould by turning on any air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, ventilation system, or fans.
If you’re not sure what to do, contact your insurer. We’re here to help.
Due to the current weather situation, we remind customers that we are experiencing high call volumes. The safety and wellbeing of your family is our first priority so if you need emergency repairs or accommodation, please call us on 0800 500 216 as soon as possible. You can also lodge your claim online at www.aainsurance.co.nz
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance is an independently operated, New Zealand-based joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association Limited (NZAA) and Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited (VINZL). Since 1994 we have demonstrated trusted expertise in home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand, and in 2018 introduced commercial small business insurance. We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our 1000+ employees look after 500,000+ customers with more than 1,000,000 policies.
We proudly partner with Variety New Zealand – the Children’s Charity (as the lead partner of its Beds for Kids programme), Student Volunteer Army and support grassroot school sports via our Big Little Sponsorship sports grant in partnership with Eden Park. We are consistently recognised in industry awards and honours, including being voted the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for 13 years running, named Canstar’s 2023 Home and Contents Insurer of the Year and Outstanding Value Award winner, and currently ranked 7th amongst 100 of New Zealand’s most successful companies in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index (since 2015).
Find out more at www.aainsurance.co.nz
For more information please contact:
AA Insurance Media Team
mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz