Yesterday I attended a conference hosted at the University of Canterbury on legal issues arsing from the earthquakes. It was an informative summary attended mainly by Canterbury lawyers. Topics covered included:
1. Pursuing insurance claims;
2. Employment issues;
3. Uninhabitability of residential premises;
4. Untenantability of commercial premises;
5. Tax issues;
6. Construction law issues.

The Christchurch Press recently published an piece about the delays by Vero in settling claims. You will find that you get a much quicker settlement by suing Vero under your policy. You may be surprised how economic suing an insurer actually is and how quickly the dispute is resolved.

Insureds that own TC3 land ought not postpone taking action against their insurer. There are plenty of experts able to provide assistance with formulating remedial woork necessary to get building consent on TC3 land. I recommend insureds take action now against their insurers to recover proper compensation

Insureds are still getting the run around from EQC and insurers in relation to resolution of insurance claims. It is essential that insureds get proper advice before settling any insurance claims. Once you have settled that is the end of the claim. Insureds with reinstatement/replacement policies that cash settle cannnot later claim against the insurer if rebuild costs are later greater than the cash settlement.

Many businesses have business interruption insurance cover associated with their property damage cover.  Insurers are still seeking to reduce payouts based on an argument that the business would have decreased by reason of reduced patronage due to the earthquake and not because of property damage to the insured premises.  This is often described as “depopulation.”  Insureds ought not blanketly acccept this argument.