Marlborough Recovery Update #18, Friday 27 January 2023

If you know someone without internet access who is unable to read this update, please ask them to phone Council on 03 520 7400 and provide their name and postal address. We will ensure a hard copy of the Marlborough Recovery Update is posted to them.

August weather event

The Marlborough recovery continues following the August 2022 weather event.
Thirty three properties in Marlborough have red stickers, 66 yellow and 24 have white due to the damage sustained, which was more extensive and widespread than the July 2021 weather event.

Insurance drop-in day

Don’t forget to register for the 15 February insurance drop-in day at Havelock Town Hall from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

If you suffered damage from the August storm, own a red or yellow stickered property, have questions about an insurance or EQCover claim or need advice from Council staff about consents, repairs or rebuilding, this day is for you.

Representatives from various insurance companies and EQCover will be available to talk one-on-one.

Registrations are essential.

Email recovery@marlborough.govt.nz with your name, property address, contact details, your insurance company and claim number. Your personal information will be kept confidential.

If you’re unable to attend on the day, but would like help, please contact MDC Recovery Navigators on recovery@marlborough.govt.nz

Residential Advisory Service

The MDC recovery team met with Leanne Curtis from the Residential Advisory Service (RAS) this month.

RAS provides a free, independent and confidential service to residential property owners whose homes have been impacted by a natural disaster. It can provide legal advice and help with progressing insurance and EQCover claims.

The key message from Leanne is to get legal advice based on your insurance policy taking into consideration damage to property and your personal situation. This will be especially relevant when you get your settlement offer in the upcoming months.

RAS can provide this legal advice
Go to this information on the RAS website

Please contact recovery navigators Charlotte or Jess if you have any questions or want support accessing this service. Even if you just want a discussion about your concerns.

Charlotte and Jess can’t provide advice about insurance or EQCover but are happy to listen or help connect you to the people you need to speak to.

Phone Charlotte on 027 213 0341 or Jess on 027 459 0377.

EQCover claim information for residential land damage

If you’ve been impacted by the August weather event you may have lodged an insurance claim and be wondering what is happening with it.

Every situation is unique and it’s best to confirm details of your EQCover claim and timeline with your private insurer but there is a process for how EQCover claims are managed. Below is some key information and steps for residents.

EQCover

EQCover is the Government’s natural disaster insurance for insured homes and some residential land. You automatically have EQCover for your home and some residential land if you have a current private insurance policy for your home that includes fire insurance.

Your insurer manages your EQCover claim

Claims for natural disaster damage are handled entirely by your insurer, including the EQCover portion of the claim, which insurers deliver on behalf of Toka Tū Ake EQC.

Your insurer is your best point of contact. Your timeline and next steps may be different to your neighbour or friend, so contact your insurer with any questions you may have.

It’s important to remember that New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world to have natural disaster insurance for some residential land. There are limits to this cover, which is determined by the Earthquake Commission Act (the EQC Act), but what you’re covered for is summarised on the Toka Tū Ake EQC website
Go to this information on the Toka Tū Ake EQC website

The EQCover process for residential land damage claims

EQCover claims for damaged residential land may require several steps to occur in a particular order before a settlement outcome is determined. These claims can often take longer to reach settlement stage than other types of insurance claims due to the complexities involved.

There are four steps to EQCover claims for residential land damage:

Timing of EQCover claims for residential land damage

It’s difficult to say how long this process will take. Some factors may impact timing, such as restricted access to a property (Council-managed placards, limited road access), availability of specialist resources (for example geotech engineers) or complications of land damage.

For silt or debris following a flood or storm, this can often be resolved without a geotechnical assessment or valuation report.

Because each situation is unique and timing will depend on individual situations, it’s best to continue talking to your insurer to understand your timeframes and next steps.

How much can be paid out?

EQCover claims are generally cash settled and for residential land claims, EQCover will pay the lesser of either:

the cost to repair or reinstate the damaged land (less excess), or
the EQCover land cap (less excess).

Under the EQC Act, the maximum amount of EQCover for your residential land claim is capped at the land value, because EQCover cannot pay any more than what the damaged land is worth. This is commonly referred to as the EQCover “land cap”, and is calculated in two parts:

the market value of the damaged or lost insured land (or other smaller specified area of land), and
the indemnity value of the damaged insured land structures (e.g. bridges, culverts and retaining walls).

More information, including how the market value is determined, is available in the Householders’ Guide to Residential Land.

Where can I get more information?

For information specific to your claim, please contact your private insurer.

For more information about EQCover for residential land damage, the Toka Tū Ake EQC website has the following:

What you’re covered for webpage – outlines EQCover for residential land includes, how settlements are calculated and general information about claims.
Householders’ Guide to Residential Land – a helpful overall guide to EQCover for residential land.
EQCover Land claims factsheet – outlines this process in more detail and who’s involved.
Land Cover – Storms and Floods factsheet – outlines EQCover in relation to storm or flood damage.

Information available throughout Marlborough

Our recovery navigators are putting together resources for “information kiosks” to be available in a variety of locations (and online) throughout Marlborough. These kiosks will be established so residents have easy access to the information they need.

Jessica and Charlotte would love to hear from people who would like to set up an information kiosk for their community. The resources can be held at a physical location or via a residents association either online (if you have a website) or via email. Whatever works best for each community. Resources can be printed and mailed out or sent by email.

Resources will be available at the Marlborough Sounds Future Access community meetings next week.

Please email recovery@marlborough.govt.nz if you’d like more information or want to be included.

Calendar

Nelson Anniversary

Monday 30 January. Reminder to book water taxis.

Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study community meetings

Tuesday 31 January 11.00 am – 1.00 pm French Pass Hall

Wednesday 1 February 10.00 am – 12.00 pm – Rai Valley, The Millers Rest

Wednesday 1 February 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm – Havelock Town Hall

Thursday 2 February 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm – Picton, Port Marlborough Pavilion

Friday 3 February – 9.00am – 11.00 am – The Portage Hotel, Kenepuru Sounds

Friday 3 February – 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm – Waitaria Bay Hall

Wednesday 8 February – 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm – Zoom online call https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83594599876

Waitangi Day

Monday 6 February. Reminder to book water taxis.

Insurance/EQCover Drop-In Day

Wednesday 15 February from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Havelock Town Hall.

Hato Hone St John courses

Waitaria Bay - 21 February 9.30 am to 3.00 pm

Portage - 22 February 8.30 am to 4.30 pm

Linkwater - 23 February 9.30 am to 3.00 pm

If you’re interested, please contact Charlotte on email recovery@marlborough.govt.nz or phone 027 213 0341. Registrations are essential.

Roading update

Works being carried out this week include investigation drilling and stabilisation on Queen Charlotte Drive, the demolition and re-construction of Noel's Bridge and scaling works on Northbank Road.

Improved access works on Kenepuru Road also continues between Tara Bay Road and Nikau Cove.

There will be no works undertaken on Waitangi weekend, from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 February.

Some roads in the Marlborough Sounds remain restricted to residents and emergency services only and have other restrictions.

Kenepuru Road and its side roads, including Moetapu Bay Road, remain restricted to residents and emergency services only. They are not suitable for visitors.

Kenepuru Road closures:

There is no construction closure in place on Kenepuru Road on Friday 3 February, due to community meetings for the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study. There may be works undertaken under stop/go traffic management on this day.

The construction closures are planned to recommence on Tuesday 7 February, following the long weekend.

Kenepuru Road, between Moetapu Bay Road and The Heads, remains accessible to residents and emergency services only.

There is a daytime construction closure on Kenepuru Road between Tara Bay (22.5km from Linkwater turnoff) and Portage.

There is a second construction closure on Kenepuru Road between Portage and Nikau Cove (33.0km from the Linkwater turnoff) for improved access works.

These closures operate Monday to Friday between 7.00 am to 5.00 pm with an opening on the hour every hour.

If you need to travel through both closures, please let the traffic management know at the first closure you arrive at.

Information

To check the status of any local road in Marlborough visit Marlborough District Council’s CDEM Map and click on the road for more information.

To contact the Marlborough Roads Recovery Team email recovery@marlboroughroads.com or phone 0800 213 213 between 8.00 am - 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.