As New Zealand's largest insurer, we see first-hand the impact that weather events have on families and communities, so we've put together some information to help you get prepared, stay safe and recover. We hope that by sharing our knowledge you will feel better informed and prepared to deal with storms and floods.
A recent nationwide survey showed that New Zealanders' level of concern about weather events is at an all-time high, jumping from 45% to 83% concern after the recent weather events. However, only 64% of people in the upper North Island and 35% of those in the lower North Island were prepared for the storms, despite weather warnings. We want to give you comfort in the process and empower you to take action should weather warnings hit your region. Here are some steps you can take:
To reduce the risk of damage to your property you can take the following steps to prepare:
Download our emergency kit checklist and make sure you're prepared the next time a weather warning arrives.
Have your emergency kit in an easily accessible place and ready to go should the need arise. Make sure you stay up to date with weather warnings in your area by visiting the MetService website and follow advice from Civil Defence and local authorities.
Keeping you and your whanau safe is the most important thing during a storm. Civil Defence is the best source of expert advice on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.
When the storm has subsided and you're ready to start the claims process, the easiest way is to do this online by logging in to your My AMI account. If you haven't already signed-up, grab your policy number and register now. If you would prefer to speak with us, we have a specialist claims team available over the phone.
You can also visit our Disaster Claims Hub for more recovery information - including what you can throw away and how to manage damage to your property. You'll find useful resources to guide you through the claims process when you're ready.
We understand it can be hard to know what to do when your home, property, or business has been flood damaged, so we’ve also prepared a flood recovery video series to help you with some tips for drying out your space and making it safe to live in.
An overview of your claim following a flood.
Dealing with floodwater.
What happens with a strip-out.
How to document flood damage to your property.
Dealing with flood-damaged carpet.
Here’s some important safety and recovery tips you can take after a flood:
The team at AMI is on your side to support you through and get you back on your feet. If you need urgent assistance and your home is unliveable, please contact us as soon as you can so we can prioritise your claim. Depending on the policies you have, you might be covered for temporary accommodation. Please check your policy wording and get in touch to see what support is available.
If you've been affected by the Auckland floods or Cyclone Gabrielle, we have a team of insurance and claims experts in Auckland and Hawkes Bay who can answer your questions and provide updates on weather-related claims. We have three Claims Help Centres in Auckland and two in Hawkes Bay to provide face-to-face support. You don't need to make a booking, just come in and chat to us.
This article is intended to provide information only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Any references to third party websites in this article are not intended to constitute a recommendation or any endorsement by IAG New Zealand Limited.
