Contents claims and excesses

• What items does EQC insure for earthquake damage? 

  As part of your Contents insurance policy EQC insures you for earthquake damage up to a maximum amount of $20,000 + GST ($23,000) for each earthquake event.

  This $20,000 + GST ($23,000) is before the deduction of your EQC excess of 1% ($200). An excess is the amount that you contribute towards a claim.

  In the first instance you should lodge your claim with EQC. EQCover provides the same type of cover as your Contents policy. If you have replacement or market value cover under your contents policy for an item, EQC also insures you on those terms. Please check your AMI policy document (page 2 - 'what is covered by this policy') to clarify the type of cover you have.

  Your insurance policy provides earthquake top-up cover above what EQC has agreed to pay you, and for damage to items not insured by EQC but covered within the terms of your policy (up to your sum insured).

• Does EQC insure everything in your AMI Contents insurance policy? 

  No. Some items are not insured by EQC. You will need to lodge a separate claim with Southern Response for damage to items not insured by EQC but covered by your Contents policy.

  More about what EQC covers and what your AMI policy covers 

  Note: EQC does not insure you for temporary accommodation if your house is unfit to live in. This is covered by your Contents insurance policy and you will need to lodge a claim with Southern Response.

• What happens if the cost of your damage is MORE than the maximum EQCover for an earthquake event? 

  EQC will pay you that maximum amount (less your excess) and you will need to lodge a claim with Southern Response under your policy, providing a full list of the damaged items you wish to claim for.

  To download a claim form, click here.

• What about curtains/drapes and floor coverings? 

  Your Contents policy covers damage to and/or loss of carpets and floor coverings not glued to the floor. (Floor coverings glued down are part of your AMI House policy.) Your curtains/drapes are also covered by your Contents policy.

  If you are paid out for these items as part of your settlement, it is important to remember that you should not buy replacement carpet and curtaining if the intention is to repair or rebuild your house, as this could take some time. We encourage you to plan for this as part of managing your settlement.

• What about swimming pools and spa pools? 

  The type of swimming or spa pool you have and its location on your property determines whether EQC or your AMI policy covers the damage:

  EQCover includes:

  1. Swimming pools and spa pools if they are an integral part of the building which is your home.

  EQCover does not include:

  1. Portable swimming pools or portable spa pools. These are covered by your Contents policy.
  2. Outdoor pools of permanent construction. These are covered by your AMI House policy.

  Please read your policies for clarification of the terms of cover.

• What excess applies to Contents insurance claims? 

  Your excess is the amount you contribute towards a claim.

  1. For contents damage insured by EQC, you will pay an excess of $200 to EQC for each earthquake event.
  2. If Southern Response pays you top-up cover for damage above the maximum amount EQC will pay, you will only pay the EQC excess. You will not pay an excess to Southern Response.
  3. If you have a claim being managed by Southern Response for contents not insured by EQC ('out of scope'), the excess as stated in your AMI Contents policy schedule will apply for each earthquake event.

  Out of scope contents claim Managed by Southern Response	NO	YES
  Contents claim scenarios	Excess payable to EQC	Excess payable to Southern Response
  Under cap contents claim Managed by EQC	YES	NO
  Over cap contents claim EQC hands over to Southern Response	YES	NO
  Under cap contents claim Managed by EQC   PLUS   Out of scope contents claim Managed by Southern Response	YES	YES for out of scope claim
  Over cap contents claim EQC hands over to Southern Response   PLUS   Out of scope contents claim Managed by Southern Response	YES	YES for out of scope claim

   

  Note: If you have both a house and contents claim with Southern Response for 'out of scope' damage from the same earthquake then you will only pay one excess to Southern Response. (The amount payable will be the higher of the two excesses.)

  If you are unsure or have any questions about which excess applies to your own situation, please contact Southern Response for information.

• When do you pay your excess? 

  Any excess you contribute to your claim will be deducted by EQC and / or Southern Response when the claim is settled.