New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission received 26,875 Kaikoura quake claims in the three months following the event.

The final number will rise, as the EQC is yet to receive some claims lodged with insurers before the February 14 deadline.

“The EQC received claims from across New Zealand and the majority were from customers in the main urban areas,” Acting GM Customer and Claims John Johnston said.

Latest figures show Christchurch customers lodged 5597 claims, while Wellington accounted for 3972. There were 3646 Marlborough claims, 2189 from Hurunui, north of Christchurch, 2006 from Lower Hutt, a major dormitory of Wellington, and 1715 lodged in the Kaikoura area.

Mr Johnston says the quake had unique characteristics and affected a large geographical area, including rural and urban customers.

Buildings accounted for 70% of claims lodged with the EQC, while 11% were for buildings and contents, 9% for contents, and the remaining 10% involved land damage.

Insurance companies are taking the lead on claims for damage to houses and contents following an agreement with the EQC aimed at simplifying and speeding the process.

Once a claim is settled, insurers will deduct the EQC excess from payments to customers and the commission will reimburse insurers for their assessments and any settlement payments made on the government-owned insurer’s behalf.

“The EQC’s agreement with the insurance companies is a tailored approach to respond to this event and streamlines how customers’ claims are managed,” Mr Johnston said.