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Natural disaster claims made easier

 

We’re now your single point of contact if your home or land is damaged in a natural disaster.

We’ve partnered with the Earthquake Commission (EQC) to make the claim process simpler for you. During a stressful time, you’ll only need to deal with us, your insurer, instead of lodging claims separately with us and EQC. 

 

What’s new?

From 30 June 2021, if you have home insurance with us, and if your home or land is damaged in a natural disaster, we’ll manage your EQC claim on behalf of the EQC, as well as any non-EQC claims.  

Previously, you would have lodged a claim with the EQC. If the cost of the damage exceeded $150,000 (+ GST), you would have needed to lodge another claim with us to cover the rest of the costs (subject to the terms and conditions of your home insurance policy and up to your sum insured).  

 

The cover you’re entitled to has not changed.

The only difference will be who manages your EQC claim. As your insurer we will now manage the entire claim.  

 

Lodge a claim

Lodge your claim here or phone us on 0800 800 800. You don’t need to contact EQC. We have a special dedicated team of EQC accredited Senior Claims Consultants with experience in natural disaster claims who will manage your claim.  

After you’ve lodged your claim, you’ll be contacted by our team to arrange an assessment, if required, and to advise you of next steps. If the disaster impacts many customers, there may be some delays, but we’ll do everything we can to keep things moving while keeping you informed.  

​ Frequently Asked Questions
 

What is EQCover?

EQCover is provided by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) for residential buildings and defined areas of residential land. It covers damage from natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, natural landslips and geothermal events. It also insures for fire resulting from any of these natural disasters, and land damage from storms or floods.  

Under EQCover, you’re insured for up to $150,000 (+ GST). This has not changed. Find out more about EQCover.

 

How do I know if I have EQCover?

Most people will automatically have EQCover if they have a current home insurance policy with us. EQCover is subject to any special terms on your insurance and EQC cover. If you do not have home insurance, you will not have EQCover for natural disasters.  

 

What does this mean for my insurance excess, levies and/or premiums?

Excesses and EQC levies have not changed, and this change doesn’t impact your premiums. The only difference will be who manages your EQC claim. Your policy premiums continue to be reviewed at their annual renewal date.  

 

What about my contents and vehicle – are they still covered for natural disasters?

We cover contents and vehicles for natural disasters under your contents and vehicle insurance policies. They are not covered by EQC, so we will continue to cover these as we do now.  

 

I have an open claim managed by EQC. Who do I speak to about it now?

If you have an existing claim being managed by EQC from an event prior to 30 June 2021, please continue to contact EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243), or, if calling from overseas, +64 4 978 6400.  

 

How will you use my information?

Lantern is a business division of IAG New Zealand Limited (IAG), 1 Fanshawe Street, Auckland 1010. We’ll collect and obtain information while managing, assessing and settling your EQC claim. We’ll also provide data to EQC about where insured homes are located, so EQC can better model New Zealand’s exposure to - and understanding of - natural hazard risks.  

As IAG is acting as an agent of the Earthquake Commission (EQC) for natural disaster damage under this claim, any personal information collected or obtained from you is collected and obtained by us as an agent of EQC in the course of managing, assessing and settling your EQC claim. This information will be used by IAG and EQC to fulfil our functions under the EQC Act.  

IAG and EQC may also use your personal information for research, and statistical purposes.  

 

How will you protect my privacy?

Protecting your privacy is important to us, and we’re committed to acting in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020. You can view our Privacy Statement here.  

Your personal information will be held securely by EQC, and Lantern, as necessary for the purpose of resolving your claim and in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020, and the EQC Act Amendment 2019. For more information, please see EQC’s Privacy Statement here.  

 

EQC remains available and accessible to customers seeking more information around their entitlements under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. For more information about your rights and entitlements under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993, visit EQC’s website or contact EQC on 0800 DAMAGE (0800 326 243).

 

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Lantern Insurance is a business division of IAG New Zealand Ltd


For a complete description of your cover, please refer to your policy wording, policy schedule and any other relevant policy documents.
This information is a general guide only and is not necessarily complete. We reserve the right to change, update or correct any information from time to time without notice.