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Insurers and insurance brokers alike are on alert for potential claims after heavy rain and flood warnings were issued for the already flood-hit parts of Fiordland and Westland.
The MetService is expecting heavy rain in southern Westland and northern Fiordland today, April 10, and warns that streams and rivers could rise rapidly. In a release, the MetService cautioned of possible surface flooding and slips.
The service expects 150 to 200mm of rain to accumulate about the ranges in Westland south Otira, and 80 to 100mm near the coast. In Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound, 90 to 120mm of rain is expected to accumulate.
“People are advised to stay up to date with the latest forecasts in case new areas are added to the warning,” it said.
As of March 30, insurers and brokers had started to see the first claims arising from the recent record rainfall and extreme flooding on the West Coast. As previously reported, rural insurer FMG told Insurance Business it received nearly 13 claims from its 200 clients in the West Coast region.
