Vero New Zealand has launched its Severe Weather Alert tool, which will give real-time warnings to New Zealanders if severe weather approaches their neighbourhood.  

The alert service, which uses Met Service data, is free and available to all New Zealanders with a phone or internet connection. Vero said the system is designed to help users proactively minimise the impact of severe weather events on their property and livelihoods and to provide tips on protecting individuals and their assets.

Subscribers can enter up to two postcodes for which to receive weather alerts and they can also choose to be notified by text message or email of incoming severe weather. Severe weather warnings are classified as orange, which means “take action” or red, which means “take immediate action, act now”.

"Armed with the Severe Weather Alert notifications when extreme weather is approaching, Kiwis can be more aware, more on the front foot to prepare their properties and families and take steps to mitigate the impact of any approaching weather systems,” said Campbell Mitchell, Vero chief customer officer. “As a general insurer, we’re acutely aware that our business has the opportunity to play a larger role than just paying claims. We need to share our knowledge and expertise to help New Zealanders build resilience and to enhance their ability to self-manage risks to reduce the heart-breaking consequences weather events often deliver.”