A record number of claims is testing New Zealand insurers after three major storms in the past month. IAG New Zealand says it has already received more than 3500 claims from the recent storms in the Wellington area.

CEO David Smith says claims are stretching the group’s resources and extra help has been brought in. Staff are working around the clock, prioritising claims and helping people into temporary accommodation.

“The challenge has been the unusually widespread nature of the deluge,” Mr Smith said. “It’s safe to say we’ve heard from most people (likely to claim) already but getting to properties has been another story.”

Wellington-based adjuster Mark Godfrey, who is President of the Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters, says loss adjusters have been “worked off their feet”.

“Dealing with claims for people immediately after a disaster is a complex business that needs considerable technical knowledge and personal sensitivity,” Mr Godfrey said. “Loss adjusters are the ones who have to sort out emergency accommodation and funding for people affected by damage or even the loss of their homes.”

Many adjusters have been away from their own homes for several weeks now, with the spate of storms staying ahead of the claims experts. “It means several more weeks of hard work on the road before many adjusters can get back to their bases,” he said.

IAG says most claims are for water-damaged carpets and submerged vehicles but it is also expecting a number of business interruption claims, especially from farmers.

“Obviously this sort of weather is totally unexpected in February and is traditionally what you’d expect in the middle of winter,” he said.

Mr Smith says flooding causes more than 65% of all weather-related claims in New Zealand. “Unfortunately, this situation is only likely to be exacerbated further by global warming and climate change.”