Northland flooding: Millions of dollars of damage to homes, buildings, vehicles

Monday, 27 July 2020

As the flood waters recede in Northland the full extent of the damage is becoming clear.

Damage caused by recent floods in Northland that have been called a once in 500-year event are expected to cost insurance companies millions of dollars.

After months of struggling in a drought, more than 200 millimetres of rain fell in the upper North Island over 10 hours from July 17.

It resulted in the region being cut off by slips and high flood waters. Mangamuka Gorge along State Highway 1 remains closed.

Insurance Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Leah McNeil said several thousand claims were expected to be made to insurance companies for extensive flooding through homes, trees coming down and water damage to vehicles.

Floodwaters reached homes in Moerewa, Far North.

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A farm near Dargaville was impacted by the severe downpours.

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Flood damage to State Highway One at Mangamuka Gorge, Northland.

“Insurers responded quickly to help their customers, with assessors on the ground within 24 hours to help progress claims,” McNeil said.

“If you haven’t been in touch about your claim, we urge you to contact your insurer or broker as soon as you can so they can support you.”

Damage to roads caused by slips to date is expected to cost $5.9 million, the New Zealand Transport Agency said.

Vehicles were submerged in water following flooding in Moerewa.

That figure doesn’t include final repair costs for the Mangamuka Gorge.

Head of claims for AA Insurance Simon Hobbs said from the amount and type of claims it had received since July 18 it was clear the flooding had had a “devastating effect on many people’s property and lives”.

“Our teams have seen a significant number of larger home claims, with at least 30 over $10,000 and three at almost $100,000.”

Contractors work to fix flood damage in Northland.

As of Thursday afternoon, Hobbs said AAI had received 250 claims, including 48 for motor vehicles. It had already paid out 10 customers for the total loss of their cars.

Hobbs said claims ranged from extensive flooding throughout homes, to caravans that have been totally submerged in water.

“One customer’s home has moved because of a landslip, while another’s home has been flooded with mud as well as water,” Hobbs said.

“There have been many claims for water damage to sheds, sleep outs and granny flats including [their] contents, while one customer had a neighbour’s trees land on his shed.”

Common claims were for flooding of rooms with damage to walls, flooring and carpets, and saturated furniture.

Vehicle claims included water in the engine and vehicles, including caravans, submerged in water.

Hobbs said claims AAI had received in relation to the floods were already close to $2 million. The full extent of the cost would not be known until the last remaining customers had the chance to assess their properties and vehicles and make their claim.

“Our teams are doing all they can to look after our customers including providing them and their pets with temporary accommodation and emergency funds to help them get back on their feet while their claims are being sorted as quickly as possible.”

Rural insurer FMG said it had received about 130 claims with the majority for damage to houses, buildings, contents and vehicles.

FMG claims and assessing manager Emma Town said a few houses had “significant” damage and staff and assessors had been on the ground since July 18.

“Last Monday we contacted close to 4000 clients, either in person, by phone or email, mainly to check on their wellbeing, give them some helpful claims advice and provide details of available support services in the region,” Town said.

FMG said the floods were another “tough blow” for local farmers but the focus going ahead would be looking after their pasture and ensuring they had enough feed for the upcoming season.

Insurance company Tower said it had received about 70 claims as of Friday for damage to homes, contents and cars.

”Our team are ready to help anyone impacted by the floods and we encourage customers to take photos of the damage and get in touch with us to lodge a claim, which can be done online or over the phone,” a spokesman said.