Residents of flood-damaged Eskdale in Hawke’s Bay are facing ongoing battles with insurance claims, a year after Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc in the area.
According to the Claims Resolution Service, 965 claims have been settled in its inaugural year out of a total of 1725 cases. The service, established in February 2023, aims to assist homeowners with residential insurance claims following natural disasters, especially when individuals are dissatisfied with the process or the outcome.
Darren Wright, the director of the service, emphasized the importance of homeowners seeking independent advice. There have been reports of homeowners being pressured to sign binding contracts to advance insurance claims, despite this not being a mandatory requirement.
One Eskdale resident, Carla Pell, saw her home destroyed by flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle. While she filed an insurance claim immediately after the disaster, uncertainty arose regarding the livability of certain areas due to potential red zones and buyouts determined by the council.
Pell expressed frustration with the insurance process, noting the confusion stemming from the overlap between insurance and council categorization processes. The involvement of subcontractors and staff at the insurance company further complicated matters.
Despite the challenges, Pell found support within the close-knit Eskdale community. Information hubs organized for residents included representatives from the Claims Resolution Service, providing valuable guidance.
Ultimately, Pell’s home was deemed unsafe to return to, resulting in a private insurance claim that exceeded her expectations. While grateful for their resolution, Pell empathized with others in the community still grappling with insurance issues, emphasizing the need for everyone to find closure and move forward together.
