AA Insurance response to Christchurch Earthquake

AA Insurance is increasing the number of personnel in its call centres to handle the expected increase in claims following this morning’s earthquake.

“Our people are all prepared to handle a surge in claims and we’re bringing in additional people to help,” says Martin Fox, Deputy General Manager, AA Insurance. “When natural disasters hit, people in affected areas can suffer emotional distress, financial loss and physical hardships. They also experience an additional anxiety from not knowing whether their insurer will accept their claim.

“AA Insurance is committed to helping our customers get their lives back to normal as quickly and easily as possible. We’re offering safety tips and practical information on our website about what to do. When you call, our claims personnel will help you and they’ll take you through the claims process.”

Advice from AA Insurance

• Do not enter a building if you think it may be unsafe.
• Turn off the power and water to your home and secure your home as well as you can.
• If you need to leave your home, secure your contents before you go and take any easily portable valuables and documents with you.
• There may be aftershocks or flooding, so if possible, move your household items up higher off the floor.
• Make sure your pets are safe and keep them with you if possible.
• Listen to the radio for information from Civil Defence about emergency accommodation.
• Take pictures of any damage and anything you need to throw out to make your home comfortable.
• Contact the Earthquake Commission with your Home and Contents policy number ready and tell them which company you are insured with. You can lodge a claim online with the Earthquake Commission at www.eqc.govt.nz or over the phone at 0800 652 333.
• If you can’t find your insurance policy, don’t worry, your insurer will have a copy or you can contact them for the details.
• To report a claim to AA Insurance call 0800 500 216.
• Further information and advice is available online at aainsurance.co.nz

For all media enquiries please contact: Stefanie Haydock, Communications Team Leader, AA Insurance, on 021 937 884.”

ENDS

About AA Insurance

AA Insurance was launched in 1994 and is a joint venture between New Zealand Automobile Association and Suncorp-Metway Limited.

AA Insurance has over 300 staff servicing 150,000 plus customers and manages over 300,000 policies. Over half of those policies cover motor insurance risks including cars, bikes, caravans and motor homes, and the remainder are house and contents insurance.

In 2008 and 2009, AA Insurance was a finalist in the unlimited/JRA Best Places to Work Survey in the medium-large workplace category, making it one of the top places to work in New Zealand.

AA Insurance Limited has an A+ (Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd on 8 January 2010. For further information visit www.aainsurance.co.nz.