Insurance claims in the tens of millions of dollars are expected after ferocious storms hit Wellington and parts of the South Island.

Several hundred homes in Wellington remain without power today from storms last week and Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) CEO Tim Grafton says winds of up to 200kmh and storm surge have also caused significant damage to buildings.

Parts of Canterbury experienced flooding and heavy snowfall and claims from rural and remote areas are expected once owners are able to assess damage, he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

ICNZ says a devastating storm in April caused more than $NZ36 million ($30.35 million) of insured damage.

Insured losses in Nelson were $NZ25 million ($21.07 million) – much higher than the $NZ16.8 million ($14.16 million) caused by floods in December 2011.

This included more than $NZ12 million ($10.12 million) of damage to homes, $NZ11.6 million ($9.78 million) to commercial property and $NZ1 million ($842,990) to motor vehicles.

In the Bay of Plenty insured losses were $NZ9.7 million ($8.18 million), with homes accounting for $NZ6.3 million ($5.31 million) and commercial properties $NZ2.4 million ($2.02 million).

Insured damage in the Waikato region was $NZ750,000 ($632,244).

“This was one of the most damaging storm events in the past five years, with the brunt of the damage borne by the Nelson and Bay of Plenty regions,” Insurance Council CEO Tim Grafton said.

“Fortunately, New Zealand’s generally high levels of insurance uptake make for a sustainable recovery at times like these.”