We are fast approaching 6 years since the 22 February 2011 earthquake. This is to remind people of limitation issues that were highlighted prior to the 6 year anniversary of the 4 September 2010 earthquake. IAG said that it would not extend any limitation period for claims by body corporates or commercial claims. Other insurers have also not provided a global extension for commercial claims. So to be safe these ought to be filed in a Court by 21 February 2017. AA, Tower, FMG, MAS and Vero have agreed not to plead a limitation defence to any claims filed before 4 September 2017. Southern Response will not rely on a limitation defence in any court proceedings filed before 4 September 2018. IAG had said via the insurance council that it would not plead a limitation defence to any claims filed before 4 September 2017. Subsequently in a press release it altered that date to June 2018. EQC has said that it will consider the 6 year limitation period runs from where a claim is settled that date, where claim is not settled when it settled or declined the claim and/or when it declined the claim the date of declinature. None of the above has any effect on claims against insurance brokers etc that are related to the earthquake(s).
Auckland
PO Box 137243,
Parnell, 1052
Tel: +64 27 434 5489
grant@grantshand.co.nz