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One independent expert is advising homeowners, who have unresolved residential insurance claims, against using the Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service (GCCRS).
On October 09, Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Megan Woods launched GCCRS, aiming to fast-track outstanding residential insurance claims. A month later, the service reported “encouraging” figures in that it had resolved 17 claims cases.
Now, vocal insurance critic Adrian Cowie describes Woods’ claim that the service is an “impartial pathway” that provides “independent case management” as simply misleading.
“The GCCRS is a further attempt by the government to take advantage of vulnerable insurance claimants,” he claimed.
Cowie suggests GCCRS is essentially another arm of EQC and Southern Response. The fact that it is being funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), he noted, shows that the service will not be impartial.
“As the Residential Advisory Service was in the past, it will be bound to its funders,” he said. “The GCCRS appears to be yet another attempt by the government, EQC and Southern Response to settle insurance claims, while ignoring their statutory and contractual obligations.
“Homeowners who use the GCCRS, are likely to receive biased and inaccurate advice that does not take into consideration the statutory requirements of the EQC Act or the contractual requirements of their insurance policy.
“After eight years of abuse, it is time that the government made a U-turn and forced both EQC and Southern Response to meet their legal obligations in full.
“A homeowner should not expect to obtain justice if they use the GCCRS.”
Correction: The article above originally referred to Mr Cowie incorrectly as an insurance advocate. He is in fact an independent expert. The article has now been updated to reflect this.
