Insurers and the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) are refining their view of losses after mid‑April storms and flooding in Wellington and parts of the lower North Island, with early figures showing a concentration in natural hazard and motor claims. Between April 18 and 21, the NHC received 130 claims connected to the Wellington weather system and expects that number to increase as more damage is identified and reported. Landslides make up the majority of claims at this stage. Of the claims received so far, 87 (67%) relate to landslide damage, 29 (21%) to flood damage, and 17 (12%) to storm damage, pointing to land instability as the main driver of scheme claims in this event.
Under the NHC, homeowners with policies that include fire cover have access to natural hazards insurance for their dwelling and some residential land. Where a landslide affects a residential property, the scheme provides cover for the home and specified areas of land. For storm or flood, the scheme covers land damage only, with damage to the dwelling insured under private policies. As part of a land claim, the scheme may also contribute to the cost of removing debris from parts of a homeowner’s land. Rather than handling most claims directly, the commission uses private insurers as the first point of contact for policyholders. “We partner with private insurers so that homeowners have a central point of contact for their natural hazard insurance claims. Private insurers will guide homeowners through the claims process, including accessing any natural hazards insurance available,” NHC chief recovery officer Kate Tod said.
The Wellington floods and storms followed Cyclone Vaianu, which resulted in more than 1,000 claims across home, contents, commercial, motor, and boat policies for AMI, State, and NZI. In the days after Vaianu, further heavy rain watches and warnings were issued, with short, intense downpours and lightning triggering flash flooding and slips in Wellington and nearby areas. AMI, State, and NZI executive general manager claims Steph Ferris said the series of events has driven additional claims from across the North Island. “While the most recent damage was not as widespread, thunderstorms bringing short bursts of heavy rain triggered dangerous landslips and flash flooding, causing significant damage to some homes and displacing households. We also saw a large number of more minor claims including fencing damage, roofing repairs, as well as flooded vehicles,” Ferris said.
Motor claims are a notable feature of the recent weather, including vehicles exposed to floodwater. Ferris noted that water damage can be difficult to detect at first and pointed to specific risks for both conventional and electric vehicles. “If water has entered a vehicle, it should not be started or driven. Water damage is often not immediately apparent, and a vehicle may seem to operate normally at first. However, water damaged vehicles are especially dangerous because critical systems can fail without warning, airbags may deploy unexpectedly, and in the case of electric vehicles, flood water can damage the battery and increase the risk of fire. For these reasons, vehicles that have had water enter the interior are generally considered unsafe and are typically written off,” she said.
Vero Insurance has put its event response arrangements in place for the Wellington weather, using staff and suppliers across the Suncorp Group to support claims and assessments. The insurer has registered 326 claims linked to the Wellington event and 3,584 weather‑related claims so far this calendar year. It expects numbers to rise as property access improves and additional inspections are carried out. To add capacity, Vero is using personnel from Suncorp’s Australian operations. Ten assessors are already in New Zealand from Australia, supported by disaster response staff assisting with claim lodgement and early contact with affected customers.
A further 12 to 14 specialists from across the group are expected, with event‑specific training before they join the local response. Jane Brewer, executive general manager, consumer, at Vero, said the approach reflects the group’s cross‑border operating model. “This is where being part of the Suncorp Group really matters. What’s different in our response is the ability to scale. We’re able to bring in assessors, claims teams, and support functions from across the Tasman, and integrate them into our response almost immediately. That trans-Tasman capability is a real strength,” Brewer said.
On the ground, Vero is working with Morgan Project Services (MPS), its exclusive project management partner, which is coordinating site visits, scoping work, and early repair planning in affected suburbs. MPS works as an extension of Vero’s claims function and has been involved in more than 10 major weather events, including the Auckland Anniversary floods, Cyclone Gabrielle,, and nationwide storms. Since January, MPS has taken on about 30 contractors to support a surge model that can be adjusted in line with event activity. Vero is asking customers to lodge claims only when it is safe to do so and, where possible, to record damage with photographs and other evidence. Claims can be made online or through brokers, with teams triaging and prioritising higher‑need cases.
The NHC is encouraging homeowners to understand both their natural hazard exposure and how cover is split between private insurance and NHCover. It is directing policyholders to the Natural Hazards Portal to review risk information and past natural hazard claims for individual properties, and to confirm what cover applies to the house and to the land. The commission has also outlined practical steps for properties on slopes or with retaining walls, including regular checks for cracks, bulging, or poor drainage; directing water away from vulnerable structures; using planting to stabilise soil; avoiding heavy loads near slopes or walls; and seeking advice from a qualified engineer if there are concerns.
Medical Assurance Society (MAS) has issued safety and claims guidance for members in affected areas. It is advising policyholders to follow Civil Defence and emergency service instructions, secure property only where it is safe to do so, retain damaged items that do not pose health risks, and keep invoices for essential services. MAS has reminded customers with home or contents cover, including renters, that temporary accommodation benefits may be available, and cautioned against removing hard floor coverings, wall linings, structural components, or materials that might contain hazardous substances without professional input.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand (ICNZ) has set out how private insurers and the NHC are operating within the NHCover framework for this event. “Insurers are ready to support their customers following the recent severe weather, including helping to arrange assessments of damage to their homes where needed. They will also manage claims under NHCover on behalf of the Natural Hazards Commission (NHC). We encourage people to begin recovery safely and as soon as they are able. Insurers understand that in the early stages not everyone can lodge a claim immediately,” the council said.
