Amid the raging Cyclone Gabrielle that’s now marking a path of destruction across North Island, AA Insurance has ensured its customer support services will remain available. Amid the national state of emergency, the insurer has received 150 Cyclone Gabrielle-related claims to date.
“The weather is extremely unpredictable and powerful, which is frightening for people and can cause extensive damage to possessions and property,” said AA Insurance GM Arin Dickinson. “In severe weather your priority must always be your personal safety and that of your family and pets. If you need urgent repairs to make your home safe or watertight, or if you need temporary accommodation, please call us right away.”
Most of the cyclone-related claims are under home, motor, contents and small business insurance, with the figure expected to rise as the impact of Gabrielle becomes apparent.
“AA Insurance wants to remind customers that its contents insurance policies include cover for spoiled food and electronics due to power outages and surges,” Dickinson said. He also advised people to turn off electronics at the wall to help avoid damage to devices and appliances in case of power loss once it turns back on.
As for refrigerated or frozen food spoiled by the power outage, Dickinson noted that AA Insurance can support its customers with the company’s excess-free spoiled food benefit.
For the Auckland Anniversary flooding, more than 6,500 claims have been recorded by AA Insurance as a result of this event. 3,000 of these are for home, 1,750 for contents, and 1,800 for motor. To date, AA Insurance has now settled or offered to settle 76% of the motor claims made during the flooding events.
AA Insurance released a statement last week indicating that its teams are on standby to assist with additional claims.
“With continuing heavy rain from the cyclone falling on already saturated ground, slips and existing damage may be vulnerable – and strong winds can also cause damage to fences, roofs, and vehicles, with trees or powerlines falling over,” Dickinson said. “AA Insurance is standing by to assist customers if they need help or advice, and we can work with them to lodge a new claim if they need to.”
