Insured Losses of February and March Storms $25 Million

Storms and flooding that mainly hit Canterbury in February and March have led to insured losses of about $25 million, the Insurance Council of New Zealand reported today. 

“The most damaging of the storms was that on 4-5 March when $21.9 million of damage occurred. While this storm system also hit Wellington and the Hawkes Bay, the brunt of the damage totalling $19.6 million was in Canterbury where there was extensive flooding in Christchurch,” Insurance Council Chief Executive Tim Grafton said.

“Most of the damage in Canterbury was to home and contents with $13.4 million in losses followed by damage to commercial property ($2.8 million) and motor vehicles ($2.5 million),” he said.

A less damaging storm also hit Canterbury on 23 February when there was $3.3 million of insured damage.  This storm was marked by a hailstorm and reports of tornado damage.