Insurers have received 47,936 claims from policyholders in New Zealand impacted by record flooding in Auckland and surrounds, with insured losses of more than $NZ1 billion ($919 million), says the Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ).

A further 30,000 claims have been lodged as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle which struck the North Island last month.

“These two events over the space of around a fortnight have resulted in around twice as many claims as made as a result of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake,” ICNZ said today. That event caused insured losses of $NZ2.27 billion ($2.14 billion).

For this year’s flood event, which began on January 27, insurers have received 26,093 home claims valued at $NZ480.3 million and 10,125 contents claims valued at $NZ85.11 million, as well as 3853 commercial claims worth $NZ320.9 million, 7541 motor claims worth $NZ108.96 million, 32 marine claims totalling $571,048, and 292 “other” claims valued at $NZ6.8 million.

So far, 11% of claims have been paid.

"Around $NZ111 million of insurance support has already been paid into communities as part of what will be a long recovery", ICNZ CEO Tim Grafton said.

Most claims will be concluded in months, he says, though many homes and commercial buildings will require work and re-builds that “even in the best of times would take many months to over a year to complete.”

Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston is visiting impacted customers in Auckland with local CEO Jimmy Higgins, and today announced a $NZ200,000 donation to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund to support recovery and rebuild efforts.

Suncorp has received more than 22,000 claims across its Vero and AAI Insurance brands following the two events, and says it has secured trades and building co-ordinators. Mr Johnston says customers’ lives had been “turned upside down” and it was an “incredibly challenging and emotional time” for many.

Suncorp staff are dedicated to the recovery, and additional claims specialists and assessors had been flown in to support the local team.

“The most important role we can play is delivering the best possible claims experience to help our customers recover as quickly as possible,” Mr Johnston said.

Mr Higgins said it would be a long road to recovery for impacted communities given the enormity of the disasters, and Cyclone Gabrielle had caused significant damage throughout communities across the North Island.

“I hope any support we can provide to New Zealand’s Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Fund will help restore their lives and also support the building of greater resilience to such extreme weather,” he said.

“Suncorp remains committed to working with all sectors of the community to build more resilient and sustainable communities to ensure insurance protection is both affordable and accessible.”

ICNZ says “massive investment” is required to reduce risks and insurers are “playing their part in the many ongoing discussions and work programs to promote that.”

"Insurers have been doing all that they can alongside the heroic response of communities and other agencies to help … what will be a long recovery process," Mr Grafton said. "Insurers are in this for the long haul.”