Earthquake Commission

If you have house or contents insurance, you will be covered automatically by the Earthquake Commission.  The Earthquake Commission covers:

1. Your house for the first $100,000 plus GST; and
2. Your contents for the first $20,000 plus GST. 

Think of it as one layer on top of another. 
EQC is your insurance company for the first $20,000 or $100,000, and the insurance company picks up the rest. 

The following is also important:

1. EQC also covers the land subject to a reasonably complicated formula but generally within eight metres of your house.  The insurance company does not provide any cover for land.
    
2. The EQC does not cover certain items or types of items.  So regardless of the “layer” being insured by EQC, some items (such as swimming pools in a house policy or jewellery in a contents policy) are not covered by EQC and need to be claimed off the insurance company.  So, even if your claim is under $100,000 but there is damage to the swimming pool, you will still have a claim off your insurance company.
    
3. EQC does not provide loss of accommodation cover.  That will normally be covered under your house and/or contents policy. 
    
4. EQC does not cover loss of rents.  That will only be covered under a special policy with your insurance company covering rental properties. 

It is important that you notify both EQC and your insurance company of the claim.  There are strict limits under the EQC Act, and if you don’t notify EQC or your insurance company within that time you may not have cover.  So always notify both, and take a diary note of the time and who you spoke to.  As them to confirm in writing that your claim notification has been received.