First Steps

Even weeks after the Christchurch earthquake, there is still significant confusion both in commercial and domestic insurance as to the steps that should be taken with regard to your insurance company and the Earthquake Commission. 

The following is a simple checklist with things that need to be done. 

• Retrieve policy(ies) and certificates
  The policy will be a standard printed document that sets out the terms and conditions of cover.  The certificate will be an annually produced document that sets out the policy number, sums insured and any special terms.  It will have your name and address on the top and there should be one of these for each policy. 
   
• Request policy(ies) and certificates
  If policy or certificate cannot be located contact insurance company and ask to be sent (email, fax or post) a copy of your applicable policy wording and applicable policy certificate for each policy
   
• Contact Insurance Company
  Contact Your Insurance companies.  Notify them of policies numbers and any other information requested by them.  Request an assessor.  Ask them what time or when an assessor will be coming
   
• Contact EQC
  Contact EQC.  Notify EQC of policies numbers and any other information requested by EQC.  Request an assessor.  Ask EQC what time or when an assessor will be coming
   
• Keep Notes
  Start an “Insurance book” where you can make notes of dealings with assessors, engineers, insurance people and be sure to make quick notes of all dealings
   
• Confirm Discussions
  Where possible send assessors/EQC/insurance people e-mails confirming what they have said .  That keeps you front of mind
   
• Start collecting Information
  Don’t wait for the assessor.  Start schedules of property lost and getting documents etc together.  Otherwise when you are finally contacted by the assessor you’ll have to start then.  Get a head start:
  • Schedule of what’s lost/damaged
  • Ages and where you got them
  • Proofs of ownership where available – receipts/manuals