New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Climate and Science => National Earthquakes => Topic started by: Suezy on March 28, 2012, 04:49:27 PM
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Confusion over fixing homes
BEN HEATHER Last updated 05:00 28/03/2012
The Canterbury Communities' Earthquake Recovery Network (CanCERN), which acts for 38 quake-hit communities, has gone public with residents' concerns after months of discussions with insurers and the Government.
Spokeswoman Leanne Curtis said yesterday there were systemic failings in the relationship between insurers and the commission, with rules made "on the hop" and a lack of quality control over assessing and fixing homes.
Quake-hit homeowners had lost confidence in the insurance process. They were waiting in damaged homes for money while the EQC and insurance companies fought over who paid what, she said.
"Getting through the insurance process is a little bit like steering concrete," she said.
The network is asking the Government to simplify the process, including speeding up payments and making sure insurers and the commission are "on the same page" with repairs and inspections.
Responding in a letter yesterday, Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said he shared CanCERN's frustrations, but many of the problems were being resolved.
He did not favour legislative change or a "blanket solution", which he said could disrupt existing insurance policies and lead to added costs for all New Zealanders.
"Cera is well aware of these issues and some months ago helped convene working groups to develop solutions," he said.
Curtis said the problems were more than a year old and people were desperate for a solution.
"The residents need the Government to step in to make things happen. I don't think people can hold on for much longer."
Some people had multiple quake claims and were being fed through an "apportionment" process, complicating the cost split between insurers and the EQC and often leading to disputes, she said.
Insurers spoken to by The Press yesterday said many of the problems raised were being worked through quietly.
AMI Insurance earthquake recovery executive manager Peter Rose said CanCERN had made "fair points", but insurers were already working on changes.
There had been some disputes between the EQC and insurers, but they would not be fixed by Government intervention or legislative change, he said.
The EQC declined to comment yesterday, referring The Press to Brownlee.
copied from The Press
Personally I think the word confusion is the wrong word in this case.