Suncorp boosts support in New Zealand as the country braces for more severe weather
13 February 2023
As communities across New Zealand’s North Island are confronted by more severe weather including heavy rain and gale-force winds off the back of ex-Cyclone Gabrielle, Suncorp has confirmed the arrival into Auckland of an additional team of claims specialists and assessors from its Australian insurance operations.
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said these dedicated resources would support local teams in assisting customers impacted not only by the current weather system moving through the country, but those still recovering from the recent flood event across Auckland and surrounds.
“As a trans-Tasman insurance company with strong capability in responding to extreme weather events, Suncorp Group is well-equipped to throw its full support behind its customers in New Zealand,” Mr Johnston said.
“Our teams in New Zealand have been doing a fantastic job in assisting impacted Vero and AA Insurance customers at this challenging time. However, given the scale of the flooding event and the follow up rain and cyclonic winds, all available Suncorp Group resources will be deployed to speed up the claims process,” he said.
“We currently have a team of around 100 specialists from Australia dedicated to the New Zealand event recovery efforts, including resources based in Australia and on-the-ground support.
“Our thoughts are with all of our customers experiencing further adverse weather, and we urge all of our customers and team members to prioritise their safety and follow the advice of local emergency authorities.
“We encourage impacted customers to lodge their insurance claim once it is safe to do so and to also take photos of the damage when it is safe.”
Mr Johnston confirmed the Suncorp Group remained well protected through its robust reinsurance program, which provided additional protection for New Zealand losses.
“In addition to losses from the Auckland flooding event being capped at NZ$50 million, net of reinsurance cover, the retained cost of any potential second declared event in New Zealand is NZ$25m.”
As of Monday morning 13 February, approximately 11,500 claims had been received across the Group’s Vero and AA Insurance brands as a result of the Auckland flood event that unfolded at the end of January 2023.
Media enquiries: Kimberley Cameron +64 27 208 1268
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