NZ’s Earthquake Commission (EQC) has rejected more than 500 claims from the September Canterbury quake because the claimants weren’t insured.

However, this number could be much higher as the true cost of the uninsured rate is yet to be counted.

A spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au 505 claims have so far been rejected, and with about 70,000 claims still awaiting fieldwork assessment there is a possibility more will be rejected.

The EQC doesn’t cover damage to those who don’t insure and the NZ Government has said it has no plans to help those without insurance, saying it’s the individual responsibility of property-owners to make sure they have cover.

Prime Minister John Key admits the recovery process from the earthquake and resulting aftershocks will be a long one.

“It’s one of the largest-ever insurance events in NZ’s history and resulted in more than 175,000 claims being lodged with the commission,” he said in Parliament last week.

He says the EQC is on track to complete assessments on all damage claims as of January 31 by the end of March.

He says $NZ675 million ($513 million) has already been paid out and four times that amount will be paid out over the next few months.

“The Government will ensure a continuing sense of urgency,” Mr Key said.