Quakesafe

Know Your Rights

If you have suffered damage to your home, land or contents from a recent earthquake, you do have rights. It is important to take some steps after an earthquake to ensure you know your rights and understand how to make any claims.

With many years of experience dealing with customers and insurers, we also suggest you consider:

  • Getting legal advice regarding your insurance policy
  • Know your insurable rights
  • Take the time to understand the EQC Act
  • Contact a structural engineer or trusted builder to assess and report on damage
  • Contact us for an assessment of your chimney.
Earthquake damaged chimney falling down

Chimney Damage

If you have chimney damage, or think that your chimney is compromised in anyway, you can ring Red Mantle for advice or engage a certified structural engineer to check.

Older chimneys (pre 1940) can be more fragile and prone to damage.  Newer chimneys (post 1940), are usually made with modern bricks and cement-based mortar.  They tend to be a lot stronger. Our experience with older chimneys is that they need to be demolished to the ground.

Chimney damage may be covered by NHC and your own private insurance.

Useful Links

  • Natural Hazards Commission (NHC) - A New Zealand Crown entity investing in natural disaster research, education and providing insurance to residential property owners.
  • GEONet - GeoNet is a modern geological hazard monitoring system in New Zealand. Here you can see the size and location of earthquakes around New Zealand.
  • Ministry of Health Support Line - Call 0800 611 116 for health support.
  • Work and Income, Emergencies - If there's been a Civil Defence emergency, or you are a farmer who's been affected by an adverse event, Work and Income may be able to help.
  • Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management - manages central government’s response and recovery functions for national emergencies, and supports the management of local and regional emergencies.
  • NZ Red Cross
  • Your Local City Council Website
Earthquake Damanged Chimney

Contact Red Mantle for an assessment.