Auckland floods & Cyclone Gabrielle: The road to recovery

Insurers have received 107,569 claims from the twin climate disasters of the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, as of June 2023. These events are expected to cost the insurance industry $3.18 billion, according to the Insurance Council of New Zealand. *

For context, these devastating events have surpassed the total cost in 2022 ($351 million) for climate-related extreme weather general insurance claims. **

“While this new record has already been smashed by the twin climate disasters of the Auckland Anniversary Weekend floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, they should not though detract from the clear pattern of rising climate claims in what we consider normal years,” said Insurance Council of New Zealand Te Kāhui Inihua o Aotearoa Chief Executive, Tim Grafton.

Cyclone Gabrielle is one of the most significant weather event New Zealand has seen in this century and it was only the third time in our history that a national state of emergency has been declared.

• The impact of the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle has been felt extensively across the insurance industry, testing resources and the response capacity from the repair network, loss adjustors and assessors.

• Given the scale of the damage, insurance providers are asking for patience as they work through the recovery.

• Due to ongoing supply chain issues and recent weather events putting significant pressure on trade services, it may take several months for repairs to be done and claims to be settled.

"For some customers there is a long road ahead while they work through the categorisation process with their council. Insurers are committed to standing by their customers until all claims are settled.“ 

Tim Grafton, Insurance Council of New Zealand Chief Executive

Our priority is supporting our clients in their time of need. Our Claims Advisers are working their way through your claims as quickly as possible and advocating on your behalf to ensure the best possible outcome.