How to prepare, stay safe and recover from storms and floods.

As one of New Zealand’s largest insurers, we see first-hand the impact that weather events have on families and communities, so we’ve put together some information to help you get prepared, stay safe and recover. We hope that by sharing our knowledge you’ll feel more prepared to deal with damage caused by storms and floods.

A recent nationwide survey showed that New Zealanders’ level of concern about weather events is at an all-time high, jumping from 45% to 83% concerned after the recent weather events. However, only 64% of people in the upper North Island and 35% of those in the lower North Island were prepared for the storms. We want to give you more information on the claim process and empower you to take action should weather warnings hit your region. Here are some steps you can take:

To reduce the risk of damage to your property you can take the following steps to prepare:

• Tie down large items and outdoor furniture. If you can, turn trampolines upside down to minimise the risk of lifting.
• Move smaller items indoors.
• If there’s a risk of flooding or you notice water levels rising, move valuables, appliances, and furniture off the floor.
• Clear any debris from gutters and drainage around your property.

Download our emergency kit checklist and make sure you’re prepared the next time a weather warning arrives.

Have your emergency kit in an easily accessible place and ready-to-go should the need arise. Make sure you stay up to date with weather warnings in your area by visiting the MetService website and follow advice from Civil Defence and local authorities.

Never wade through flood water and avoid using vehicles or electrical appliances that might have water damage. Wear gloves, masks, and protective gear so you don’t come into contact with anything dangerous.

Keeping you and your whanau safe is the most important thing during a storm. Civil Defence is the best source of expert advice on how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from harm.

When the storm has subsided and you’re ready to start the claims process, the easiest way is to do this online by logging in to your My State account. If you haven’t already signed-up, grab your policy number and register now. If you would prefer to speak with us, we have a specialist claims team available over the phone.

You can also visit our Disaster Claims Hub for more recovery information – including what you can throw away and how to manage damage to your property. You’ll find useful resources to guide you through the claims process when you’re ready.

We understand it can be hard to know what to do when your home, property, or business has been flood damaged, so we’ve also prepared a flood recovery video series to help you with some tips for drying out your space and making it safe to live in.

Here’s some important safety and recovery measures you can take after a flood:

• Treat all floodwaters as contaminated.
• Wear a mask, gloves and boots.
• Turn off the electricity at the mains if your property has been flooded. Get it checked by a registered electrician before you turn it back on.
• To secure your property, you can do temporary ‘make safe’ repairs, such as boarding up broken windows.
• Don’t drive any vehicle that has been flooded.
• Take photos of the damage for your claim. 

The team at State is ready to get you on the road to recovery. If you need urgent assistance and your home is unliveable, please contact us as soon as you can so we can prioritise your claim. Depending on the policies you have, you might be covered for temporary accommodation. Please check your policy wording and get in touch to see what support is available.

If you’ve been affected by the Auckland floods or Cyclone Gabrielle, we have a team of insurance and claims experts in Auckland and Hawkes Bay who can answer your questions and provide updates on weather-related claims. We have three Claims Help Centres in Auckland and two in Hawkes Bay to provide face-to-face support. You don’t need to make a booking, just drop in and chat to us.