Summary Judgment Against Southern Response

In Biggins & anor v Southern Response Earthquake Services Ltd [2018] NZDC 25609 the District Court considered an application by an insured home owner for summary judgment for the cost of a carport that was not included when SR rebuilt the insured’s house.  There were also claims for general damages and the owners’ share of liability for a common driveway.  The insured house had a carport.  The house rebuilt by Southern Response after the earthquakes did not.  SR said it was not liable because the cost of a carport was included in the costing for the rebuilt house.  Southern Response lost.  There were no documents that supported the SR position.  SR also lost on the driveway share issue, but avoided a liability for general damages.