In-Touch with Keystone : January 2023

Welcome to the the January edition of In-Touch

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I hope you, your family, and your friends are safe and well after the unprecedented flooding in the upper North Island. It's hard to comprehend how fast the situation escalated and how much damage was done to people's homes, vehicles, and businesses. It will certainly be a huge job to recover from the effects of this event. Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone affected.

If you suffered damage to your property or possessions and have queries or concerns about your insurance cover, please get in touch. We've already started helping our clients lodge claims for storm-related losses.

Below is some information that I hope you find helpful as the big cleanup begins.

Vero and StyleCover claims

If you have a Vero or StyleCover house or contents policy and need to claim, click the relevant link below:

Vero: https://www.vero.co.nz/claims.html

StyleCover: https://www.stylecover.co.nz/stylecover/claims

The quickest way to lodge a claim with Vero, StyleCover, or any other insurer is online. However, if your claim is urgent or you have an emergency, you can call 0800 800134 (Vero) or 0800 505152 (StyleCover).

If you are claiming with Vero or StyleCover, please also let us know by emailing support@keystonefinancial.co.nz so we can make sure everything is proceeding as it should.

To view Vero's official communication about the floods, click HERE. And for their helpful PDF about what to do after a flood, click HERE.

Emergency financial support

If you've been affected by the flooding in Auckland, Waitomo and Tairāwhiti, you may be eligible for a Civil Defence Payment.

This payment is available regardless of whether you are receiving a benefit from Work and Income. It can help you with:

  • temporary accommodation costs,

  • loss of income,

  • emergency food, clothing, and bedding.

You can see full details of who is eligible and how to apply for the payment HERE.

Civil Defence centres

Temporary accommodation is available at a Civil Defence centre if you've had to evacuate your house, or cannot currently get to it, and have no friends or family to stay with. The three Auckland locations are:

  • Saint Leonard's Road School, 15 St. Leonard's Road, Kelston

  • Massey University Albany Campus, Sir Neil Waters Theatre, Gate 1/Main Entrance (off Albany Expressway), Albany

  • Manu Tukutuku, 32 Riverton Drive, Randwick Park

Take essentials, like baby care items and medication, with you.

Food and clothing

Auckland City Mission has mounted a flood relief effort and is providing food parcels to those in need. For more information, click HERE.

Gurdwaras in North, West, and South Auckland are supplying bulk rice, pasta, and essentials. Contact CJ Rattwate (02041015772) or Daljit (021 803 512) if you need to collect a pack urgently.

Dave Letele and the Brown Buttabean team are distributing emergency items around South Auckland, operating out of the Emergency Assistance Centre on Domain Road in Mangere. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Hub West has food, clothing, blankets, water, hot drinks, hot showers, device charging, and accessible bathrooms available. They are located at 27 and 29 Corban Avenue, Henderson.

Awataha Marae in Northcote has set up a Manaaki Centre to help local families in need with food and support. You can find more information on their Facebook page.

Clean-up assistance

If you need non-urgent help to clean up storm damage on your property, you can request the services of the Student Volunteer Army HERE.

Orange Sky is providing a mobile laundry and shower service, city-wide. To request help, contact Helen on 021 026 77298 or at info@orangesky.org.nz.

Please also check your local Facebook page, if you have one, as many people are offering assistance independently by posting in the community groups.

To offer help

If you'd like to offer hands-on help, or donate goods or money, please contact the above listed organisations directly to find out what they need most.

Thanks for reading

Stay safe, and please get in touch using the contact details below if you need help with your insurance cover or claim.

Keith Styles