EQCover
A n i n s u r e r ’s g u i d e
The provisions of the Earthquake
Commission Act 1993 and
Regulations will always prevail over
the contents of this Insurer's Guide. You
should always refer to the Act when
determining issues involving the Act.
September 2012
1
Contents
EQC Contacts
3
EQCover4
{{ What is EQCover?4
{{ House cover ("residential buildings")
4
{{ Contents cover ("personal property")
5
{{ "Residential land" cover6
{{ EQCover diagram7
{{ Premium
8
{{ Excesses
8
{{ Section 28 of the Earthquake Commission Act - Cancelling EQCover
9
{{ Section 29 of the Earthquake Commission Act - GST 9
{{ Section 30 of the Earthquake Commission Act
9
Making a claim with EQC 10
Calculating EQCover
11
11
{{ Dwellings (boarding houses, fractional ownership,
contract works policies, show homes)
{{ Personal Property (in multiple situations, in storage, in transit,
landlord's contents, international students) 14
{{ Mixed usage properties
15
{{ Body corporate buildings 16
{{ Rest homes
16
{{ Retirement villages & rest home complexes 17
{{ Holiday accommodation (motels, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes,
serviced apartments, time-shares & caravans)
18
Offshore placements
20
EQCover direct with EQC 20
Property not insured by the EQC Act
21
Section 74 of the Building Act 2004
22
The provisions of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 and Regulations will always prevail over the contents of this Insurer's Guide. You
should always refer to the Act when determining issues involving the Act.
2
Contacts
Tra i n i n g E n q u i r i e s
Shanne Morrissey
Learning and Development Manager ([email protected])
Free phone
0800 326 243
Premium & EQCover Enquiries
Lee Patton
Compliance Manager ([email protected])
DDI
(04) 901 6665
Free phone
0800 326 243
Brian Burney
Insurance Specialist ([email protected])
DDI
03 741 9428
0800 326 243
Free phone
EQC Corporate Office
Level 20, Majestic Centre
100 Willis Street
PO Box 790
Wellington 6140
Phone (04) 978 6400
Fax (04) 978 6431
Claims 0800 326 243 or 0800 DAMAGE
Claims fax (04) 978 6432
Website www.eqc.govt.nz
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EQCover
What is EQCover?
EQCover is EQC’s natural disaster insurance scheme. It insures homes, certain land and some personal
belongings against natural disaster damage caused by the following:
{{
{{
{{
{{
{{
{{
{{
Earthquake
Landslip
Tsunami
Volcanic eruption
Hydrothermal activity
Storm or flood damage - TO LAND ONLY
Fire following any of the above
House Cover ("residential buildings")
EQC insures "residential buildings", which is a term defined in section 2(1) of the Earthquake Commission Act
1993, when those residential buildings are insured under a contract of fire insurance. A "residential building"
is any building, or part of a building, or other structure which comprises or includes 1 or more dwellings, if the
area of the dwelling or dwellings constitutes 50% or more of the total area of the building, part or structure.
Residential buildings are insured under EQCover for their replacement value, up to $100,000 per event for each
"dwelling" in the building. Property owners can get top-up cover from private insurers to insure against natural
disaster damage to the building above the EQC limit.
Any building or part of a building providing long-term accommodation for the elderly is also a "residential
building" if the area of the building providing long-term accommodation for the elderly comprises 50% or more
of the total area of the building,part or structure.
Certain services (such as water supply services and gas services) owned by the owner of the building (or the
owner of the land on which the building is situated) are also included within the EQC cover for the "residential
building", but only where those services are within 60 metres of the building.
Outbuildings and appurtenant structures (such as garages and garden sheds) which are covered under the
house policy are also included within the EQC cover for the "residential building", where they are used for the
purposes of the household.
Whether a building is a "residential building" as defined must be determined whenever a contract of fire insurance in respect of that building is made and every time that the contract of fire insurance is renewed. If a building is a "residential building" when the contract of fire insurance is made or renewed, EQCover for the building
will continue, even if the building no longer meets the definition of "residential building", until the fire policy
lapses or is cancelled or EQCover for the building is cancelled.
If when the contract of fire insurance comes to an end, whether for renewal or otherwise, the building no
longer meets the definition of "residential building", EQCover will not continue for the building.
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Definition of “residential building ”
The term "residential building" is defined in section 2(1) of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. A "residential
building" is any premises that are self-contained and that are somebody's home or holiday home or that are
capable of being, and are intended by the owner to be, somebody's home or holiday home.
Residential buildings include:
{{
{{
{{
{{
Houses
Flats
Apartments
Holiday homes
Serviced apartments, motel units, hotel rooms and boarding house rooms are not covered. However, staff and
the manager's accommodation are covered - that's where they live, so they are residential buildings.
What are "self-contained" premises?
Self-contained premises contain all facilities (living, sleeping, cooking and bathing) for the occupant(s) to live
in a self-sufficient manner. Premises are not self-contained where some essential facilities (such as cooking or
bathing facilities) have to be shared between different households.
These facilities do not have to be in the one structure but they must be for the exclusive use of a single
household. For example, the property may have a house that only has living, sleeping and kitchen areas with
the ablution (bathing) building in the grounds. As the whole property has the facilities to enable the occupying
household to live in a self-sufficient manner and the facilities are not shared with other households, these will
be "self-contained" premises for EQC purposes.
Bores
If the water supply for the dwelling is supplied from a bore, EQC covers only physical loss or damage to the bore
itself caused by a qualifying natural disaster, and only if the bore is located within 60m of the dwelling. A change
in the water quality or the disappearance of the aquifer (water course) is not covered because it does not
involve physical loss or damage to the insured property (the bore).
Contents Cover ("personal property")
EQC insures some personal belongings as "personal property", which is a term defined in section 2(1) of the
Earthquake Commission Act 1993, when that personal property is insured under a contract of fire insurance.
Personal property is insured under EQCover for its replacement value (or, if it is insured against fire on any less
favourable basis, on that basis), up to $20,000.
"Personal property" is defined in the Act as "property that is located in or on a residential building; and includes
property that is usually so located but is temporarily removed from the building for any reason; but does not
include any property used solely or principally for commercial purposes".
In the list of exclusions (see page 21) the following, while insured by a private insurer under a contract of fire
insurance, are not covered by EQC:
{{ Works of art - generally works of art that are one-off items and are those whose prime function is
decorative or communication, and which are an artist's original work (which may be paintings, ceramics,
glass or other mediums)
{{ Any motor vehicle - a vehicle drawn or propelled by mechanical power and any parts or accessories of a
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motor vehicle. Under this exclusion, cover of items such as mobility scooters, motorised wheelchairs, or
scooters are excluded
{{ Any jewellery, precious stones, money, securities, documents or stamps.
"Residential Land" Cover
Where a residential building is insured under EQCover, the "residential land" on which that building is situated
is also insured under EQCover. Accordingly, bare land is not covered.
EQCover for residential land is not included in the EQC cap of $100,000 that applies to residential
buildings, but is additional and separate.
"Residential land" is a term defined in section 2(1) of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 as follows:
Residential land means, in relation to any residential building, the following property situated within the land holding on which the residential building is lawfully situated:
(a)
The land on which the building is situated; and
(b)
All land within 8 metres in a horizontal line of the building; and
(c)
That part of the land holding which -
(i)
Is within 60 metres, in a horizontal line, of the building; and
(ii)
Constitutes the main access way or part of the main accessway to the building from the boundary of the land holding or is land supporting such accessway or part; and
(d)
All bridges and culverts situated within any area specified in paragraphs a) to c) of this definition; and
(e)
All retaining walls and their support systems within 60 metres, in a horizontal line, of the building which are necessary for the support or protection of the building or of any property referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of this definition.
Section 19 of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 sets out the basis on which residential land is insured:
Subject to any regulations made under this Act and to Schedule 3, where a residential building is deemed to be insured under this Act against natural disaster damage, the residential land on which that building is situated shall, while that insurance of the residential building is in force, be deemed to be insured under this Act against natural disaster damage to the amount (exclusive of goods and services tax) which is the sum of, in the case of any particular damage, -
(a)
The value, at the site of damage, of - (i) if there is a district plan operative in respect of the residential land, an area of land equal to the minimum area allowable under the district plan for land used for the same purpose that the residential land was being used at the time of the damage; or
(ii) an area of land of 4 000 square metres; or
(iii) the area of land that is actually lost or damaged -
whichever is the smallest; and
(b)
The indemnity value of any property referred to in paragraphs (d) and (e) of the definition of the term "residential land" in section 2(1) that is lost or damaged.
.
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EQCover diagram
Dwellings, personal
property and
outbuildings are
insured.
Land under the buildings
and within 8 metres in a
horizontal line of the
buildings is insured (but
not artificial surfaces
thereon).
Land area not insured.
Land within 60m in a
horizontal line of the
house which forms
the main accessway is
insured (but not artificial
surfaces thereon).
Bridges and culverts are insured
if they are within 8 metres in a
horizontal line of buildings or within
60 metres in a horizontal line if they
form part of the main accessway.
Water supply services (including
bores), drainage, sewage and gas
pipes, telephone and electricity
lines. Maximum length insured up
to 60 metres in a horizontal line
from the building (if owned by the
owner of the dwelling or the land).
Retaining walls that are necessary for
the support or protection of the
residential building or the insured
land, including the main access way,
are insured if within 60 metres in a
horizontal line of the building.
Multiple accessways
If the residential building has several accessways (driveways and/or pathways and/or separate driveways) only
the main driveway (or pathway if the property does not have a driveway) is covered, up to 60m in a horizontal
line from the building.
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Premium
For contracts of fire insurance made on or after 1 February 2012, EQCover costs fifteen cents for every $100
insured (0.15%) where the period of insurance is one year. The maximum for a one-year period is $150 for cover
of $100,000 on the dwelling and $30 for cover of $20,000 on personal belongings.
Where the period of insurance is other than one year, a pro rata proportion (on a daily basis) of the amount
that would be payable for a one-year period is payable, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
Cover for land is included at no cost.
Excesses
Properties containing only one dwelling
Dwelling
Personal property
Land
Excess - % of
claim
Min. payable
Max. payable
1%
10%
$200
$200
$500
$1,150
$200
$5,000
Properties containing more than one dwelling
Buildings {{ $200 multiplied by the number of dwellings in the building or 1% of the amount payable, whichever is the
greater.
Land {{ $500 multiplied by the number of dwellings in the residential building which is situated on the land, or
10% of the amount payable, whichever is the greater, to a maximum of $5,000.
Damage to both a dwelling and personal property {{ When a person makes a claim for damage to both a dwelling and personal property located in that
dwelling and the damage is caused by the same natural disaster, a single minimum payment of $200
applies across both claims.
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Section 28 of the Earthquake Commission Act Cancelling or Limiting of EQCover
A “Section 28” notice is placed on a property title if EQCover has been cancelled or limited. EQC can only cancel
or limit cover in specific circumstances as set out in Schedule 3 of the Earthquake Commission Act. EQC will
advise, in writing, any person affected by the cancellation or limitation of EQCover and explain why it has done
so. The notice continues to apply even if a property is sold.
In many cases EQCover can be reinstated and the property owner needs to contact EQC to find out what will
have to be done, such as remedial works, in order to reinstate EQCover.
Section 29 of the Earthquake Commission Act - GST
Section 29 (3) of the Earthquake Commssion Act 1993 contains the following provision regarding goods and
services tax:
(3) Where any property is insured under this Act for its replacement value and the Commission is satis
fied that goods and services tax has been paid or will be payable by an insured in the course of replac
ing or reinstating the property, the amount of any payment under subsection (2) of this section shall be increased by the amount of goods and services tax paid or payable by the insured.
Wherever in this guide a monetary amount is shown or described (cover or premium) then that amount is excluding GST.
Section 30 of the Earthquake Commission Act - Other
Insurance
Section 30 of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993 is headed "Insurance otherwise than under this Act". It
provides certain rules for situations where, upon the occurence of natural disaster damage to property
covered by EQCover, the property is also insured against that damage under a contract of natural disaster
damage provided by an insurance company. The insurance company's cover might be either "ground up" cover
or "top up" cover.
Where the insurance company has provided natural disaster cover for the property by way of "ground up" cover,
the insurance company, not EQC, is liable to pay for the damage covered by the insurance company's natural disaster cover. EQCover will respond only for so much of the damage (if any) as exceeds the amount payable by the
insurance company under the contract and the excess that the insured person must bear under the contract.
Where the insurance company has provided natural disaster cover for the property by way of "top up" cover that is, the cover is in excess of the amount of EQCover - EQCover applies as normal. The "top up" cover applies
to any damage beyond what is covered by EQCover.
It is important to be aware that in contracts where EQCover is involved, and these may be straight domestic
policies through to commercial contracts that have residential buildings on them, it must be made clear that the
insurer's natural disaster cover is over and above that provided by EQC.
The EQC premium is payable wherever a contract of fire insurance is entered into in respect of a "residential
building" or "personal property". Accordingly, the EQC premium is payable even where a "ground up"
natural disaster policy has been entered into for that property, if the contract of insurance also insures against
fire.
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Making a Claim
with EQC
Claimants must contact EQC within three months of the damage happening. This three-month rule is prescribed by law and cannot be extended.
The EQC free phone number is 0800 326 243 or 0800 DAMAGE. Claims can also be lodged on the EQC website
www.eqc.govt.nz. It is better for the claimant to do this rather than getting their broker, agent or insurance
company to call.
EQC will ask the claimant for an idea of the extent of damage and whom they are insured with. EQC will tell
them whether a loss adjuster will call to help with the claim or whether they can go ahead with getting repairs
done. EQC will follow this up in writing.
Claimants can:
{{ Make temporary repairs for safety or to prevent further damage or discomfort.
{{ Get essential services like toilets and water systems repaired immediately, but they should keep,
document or record everything the repairer replaces (and keep a copy of the bill).
{{ Clean up spillages or crockery and glass breakages (but they shouldn’t throw anything not perishable away
yet).
{{ Dispose of perishables like ruined or spilt food. (They should list the items as they bury, burn or dump
them.)
If possible, claimants should take photos before moving and repairing anything.
Any reimbursement for temporary or urgent repairs is, of course, subject to EQC acceptance of a valid claim.
If accepted, the cost will be deducted from any total amount owed to you under EQCover.
EQCover is subject to the conditions specified in Schedule 3 of the EQC Act. Those conditions include various
powers for EQC to decline (or meet part only of) a claim in specified circumstances.
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Calculating
EQCover
Dwellings
garage
dwelling
granny flat
shed
EQCover is limited to $100,000 for each "dwelling" in a residential building. Included in the
EQCover for the residential building is cover for all appurtenant buildings and structures, and for
certain
services to that building, that are covered under the fire policy for the building and that come within
the definition of "residential building" in section 2(1) of the Earthquake Commission Act 1993.
The amount of insurance available for a residential building is the least of the following amounts:
{{ If the fire policy specifies a replacement sum insured for which the building is insured against fire, the
amount of that sum insured
{{ If the fire policy does not specify a replacement sum for which the building is insured against fire but does
specify an amount to which the building is to be insured under the Earthquake Commission Act, then that
amount
{{ The amount arrived at by multiplying $100,000 by the number of "dwellings" in the residential building
If the fire policy specifies an amount to which the building is to be insured under the Earthquake
Commission Act 1993, that amount must be no less than the amount arrived at by multiplying $1,000
by the area in square metres of the residential building.
EQC will pay GST if GST is payable by the claimant to reinstate property.
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For cover other than the $100,000 per dwelling to apply, there must be either a replacement sum specified or
an EQC sum specified. The square metre formula cannot be used on an open-ended replacement policy unless
it expressly states a particular sum for which the property is insured for EQC purposes.
Example
Replacement value = $250,000. Single dwelling.
EQCover
$100,000
Open-ended replacement value, based on area of
EQCover is limited to a maximum of $100,000.
2
220m . Single dwelling. No replacement sum or EQC
sum specified.
Indemnity value = $ 60,000. No replacement sum or $100,000.
EQC sum specified. Single dwelling.
Dwelling with a self-contained granny flat in same
building. Replacement value for dwelling and flat =
$200,000 because the building contains two
dwellings, provided both dwellings are disclosed to
$250,000.
the insurer when the contract of fire insurance is
made or renewed.
Dwelling with a self-contained, detached granny flat. EQCover is limited to $100,000 for each
Replacement value based on area. Dwelling 200m2, dwelling (or replacement value if lower).
flat 80m2.
{{ If the fire policy covers a residential building for a replacement sum insured, the size of the dwelling can't be used to calculate EQCover.
{{ If the granny flat is not self-contained, then the cover provided for it is included in the cap for the
main residential building.
B o a r d i n g h o u s e s a n d /o r b u i l d i n g s w i t h i n d i v i d u a l l y r e n t e d r o o m s
In some cases landlords set up buildings (sometimes former dwellings) to be a boarding house or to lease out
rooms on an individual basis. The usage of both types of properties and how EQC responds is similar.
These properties have:
{{ Residents who lease their own non self-contained room,
{{ Shared communal facilities such as kitchen and bathrooms.
However, EQCover DOES NOT APPLY as the self-contained test fails because:
{{ Each area leased for the sole use of the occupier is not "self-contained" because some essential living
facilities are shared
{{ The whole building is not being used by a single household as a home
If there is an on-site manager who uses one of the non self-contained rooms, again EQCover DOES NOT APPLY.
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Fractional ownership
Recently a new way of purchasing residential property, by “fractional ownership”, has become increasingly
popular.
With fractional ownership the residential property is broken up into a set number of shares and each of these
shares is sold. These residential properties are generally larger (more valuable) dwellings on coastal land or
inland rural estates.
Unlike timeshares where each purchaser is given the right to only use the property for a set number of weeks
per year or at a set time, fractional ownership means the shareholders themselves decide how the property is
to be used, including how or when each shareholder can use it.
If the property is still being used as a home or holiday home by the owners, then EQC will continue to cover it.
If it is going to be used only for a holiday let or as a bed and breakfast for example, then EQCover generally does
not apply.
Contract works policies
In cases where a dwelling cannot be lived in (such as undergoing extensive renovations or conversion to flats) it
will no longer be a "residential building" under the Earthquake Commission Act 1993. The building needs to be
fully insured under a contract works policy.
If the renovations/alterations do not affect the self-contained nature of a dwelling and it can still be lived in,
EQCover will apply under the contract works policy.
Show homes
EQC does not provide cover for buildings like show homes that are purely used to showcase a product or design
as they are nobody's home and there is no present intention that they will be lived in as somebody's home.
If the dwelling however is capable of being lived in, is on the market to be sold and the intention is that once it
has sold it will be lived in, EQCover does apply.
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"Personal Property"
"Personal property" is defined as ”... property that is located in or on a
residential building; and includes property that is usually so located but is
temporarily removed from the building for any reason...” EQCover for personal
property is limited to $20,000 per policy.
Personal property at multiple situations but insured under one
policy
In order to insure personal property under one policy document, where there is intended to be more than one
insured situation or where the insured situations contain personal property belonging to more than one person
(where it is intended that the property should be separately insured, e.g. in the case of rest home residents); the
following endorsement can be used:
“For the purposes of Section 20 of the EQC Act 1993, each situation (and/or identified resident) has a
separate fire insurance contract in respect of each such situation or resident.”
This endorsement will then enable each situation or resident to have personal property insured up to $20,000.
Personal property in storage
EQCover covers residential personal property in storage, either temporarily stored if the intention is for the personal property to return to a residential building at a storage facility until they are then sent on to a new residential building, or temporarily removed from a residential building and then returning to that residential building.
EQCover is still limited to $20,000.
Personal property in transit
If the insurer’s contents policy excludes cover while in transit, there is still EQCover while the personal property
is in transit so long as the contents policy remains in force. If a contents in transit policy is taken out and includes
cover for fire, then EQCover applies.
P e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y ( i n c l u d i n g l a n d l o r d ’s p e r s o n a l p r o p e r t y ) a s a s u m
insured or as a policy extension
If personal property is listed on the policy as part of the schedule of property insured, EQCover should be included
for up to $20,000, or any lesser sum specified for the personal property.
If the cover for personal property is included as a policy extension, EQCover DOES apply.
If cover for personal property is included in the dwelling sum insured EQCover applies and an extra charge should
be made.
Personal property - international students' personal property cover
There are various schemes available for covering the contents of international students when they are studying in
New Zealand. Unlike travel policies that cover contents while on holiday, this cover is generally for the period that
they are residing and studying in New Zealand - generally a year or more.
As cover is for contents that are in New Zealand, for students that are living in New Zealand, EQCover applies up
to the maximum EQC cap of $20,000 per student and/or policy, provided the policy insures against fire.
However, students must be living in a residential building, as defined by the EQC Act, for the contents cover to
apply. If the contents will not usually be located in a residential building (as defined), they will not be personal
property (as defined) and EQCover will not apply. These students will usually be living in hostels, which are not
residential buildings as defined by the EQC Act.
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Mixed Usage Properties
Note: The examples below show the maximum cover available under the Earthquake
Commission Act. A residential building is deemed to comprise one dwelling unless the
existence of a higher number of dwellings is disclosed to the insurer at the time the
contract of fire insurance is made or renewed.
Example 1
apartment
Five self-contained apartments and one retail shop in a
building with a single owner and a replacement value of
$1,000,000.
apartment
apartment
EQCover is limited to $500,000 for the building because there are five dwellings in the building: 5 x $100,000 = $500,000, provided the existence of a higher
number of dwellings is disclosed to the insurer at the time the contract of fire
insurance is made or entered into.
apartment
apartment
As more than 50 percent of the building comprises "dwellings", EQC would
cover damage anywhere in the building.
retail shop
res
res
retail shop
res
Example 2
Three flats and a retail shop in a building with a single owner and a replacement
value of $250,000.
EQCover is $250,000.
As 50 percent of the building comprises "dwellings", EQC would cover damage
anywhere in the building.
apartment
offices
offices
offices
offices
retail shops
Example 3
One apartment, offices and retail shops in a building with one owner and a
replacement value of $1,000,000.
The definition of "residential building" includes a "part of a building" that
comprises 1 or more "dwellings" if the area of the dwellings is 50% or more of
the total area of that part of the building. The top floor is a "part of a building"
that meets this definition. Accordingly, that part counts as a "residential
building".
EQCover is limited to $100,000 per apartment. 1 x $100,000 = EQCover of
$100,000 for the residential part of the building.
Only damage to the top floor is covered by EQC. This building as a whole is not
an insured "residential building", as less than 50 percent of the whole building
comprises "dwellings".
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Body corporate buildings/apartment complexes
EQCover calculation scenarios for a complex of 12 apartments in a body corporate building
{{ Replacement value of building = $2m.
EQCover = $1.2m (i.e. 12 x $100,000).
{{ Replacement value of building = $1m.
EQCover limited to $1m.
{{ Insured for indemnity only. EQCover is $100,000 per
apartment, i.e. $1.2m.
{{
{{
apartment 1
apartment 7
apartment 2
apartment 8
apartment 3
apartment 9
apartment 4
apartment 10
apartment 5
apartment 11
apartment 6
apartment 12
Rest Homes
rest home
manager’s accommodation
The rest home shown above is a single building, containing dormitory type accommodation, and full
accompanying facilities. The building also includes self-contained accommodation for the owner/manager.
EQCover would be $100,000 for the rest home part and $100,000 for the owner’s/manager’s accommodation.
Contents of the rest home and contents of the manager’s accommodation can be covered for up to $20,000 +
GST each, provided they meet the definition of "personal property".
If the residents’ effects are covered by the rest home policy, each resident is able to obtain up to $20,000 + GST
of cover provided the policy states that it is to take effect as a separate contract of insurance in respect of each
resident or situation.
Rest homes are covered by EQC due to specific inclusion in the Earthquake Commission Act:
“Residential buildings" means (b)... any building or part of a building (whether or not fixed to land, or to another building, part, or structure) in New Zealand which provides long-term accommodation for the elderly...”
* Please refer to page 14 for a full explanation of EQCover on personal property.
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Retirement Villages & Rest Home Complexes
Garages for villas
Villa-style accommodation
Hospital
Rest home accommodation, not self-contained
Rest home administration, dining, laundry, living areas
Hospice
Chapel
Calculations for retirement villages & rest home complexes
Example
EQCover
Total EQCover
* Villa-style accommodation
(each villa containing one
dwelling)
Up to $100,000.
$500,000.
Villa personal property
Up to $20,000.
$100,000.
Garages
Included in cover for villas.
-
Rest home accommodation/
administration, dining etc
Equates to one self-contained dwelling.
$100,000.
* Rest home contents - inUp to $20,000.
cludes plant/equipment/stock
$20,000 + GST
* Rest home residents' effects
Up to $20,000.
$20,000 x number of
residents or situations.
Hospital
If providing a higher level of resthome care
(and therefore long-term accommodation for
the elderly).
Included in cover for rest
home.
If hospital is providing care where patients are Included in cover for rest
admitted for a particular reason, treated and
home, provided it is used for
then released back to the rest home
the purposes of the
residents and is appurtenant
to the main building.
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Chapel
Classified as an appurtenant building or structure (if for the sole use of the residents) to
rest home complex.
Included in cover for rest
home/village complex.
Hospice
Does not provide long-term accommodation
for the elderly.
Not covered in its own right,
but might be an appurtenant
building if used for the
purposes of the residents.
*
In order to insure contents in more than one situation under the same policy or residents’ effects, the following endorsement can be used,
“For the purposes of Section 20 of the EQC Act 1993, each situation (and/or identified resident) has a separate fire insurance contract in respect of each such situation or resident.”
This endorsement will then enable each situation or resident to have contents insured up to $20,000
For excesses for damage to buildings containing multiple residential units, see Excesses on page 8.
Holiday Accommodation
Motels
motel accommodation
manager’s
accommodation
motel accommodation
EQCover is limited to $100,000 + GST for the manager’s accommodation only.
B e d a n d B r e a k f a s t A c c o m m o d a t i o n ( B & B ’s )
EQCover does apply to a B&B where the owner still lives in the house but rents out a couple of bedrooms and
where the owner’s usable space is more than 50% of the building. Even if both the owner and guests use the
same areas, EQCover would apply as long as the space used by the owner is more than 50%.
Example 1
A 200m2 B&B with four bedrooms - three bedrooms with a total floor area of 60m2 are available for
guests. This is 75% of bedrooms but only 30% of floor area.
EQCover applies as the owners’ useable space is more than 50% of the property.
Example 2
A two-level B&B with downstairs available for guests, containing two bedrooms, lounge etc, with a total
floor area of 100m2. The upstairs, for family use only, has two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen etc, and a total
floor area (90m2) only.
EQCover applies to the upstairs area (90m2) only.
Example 3
Property has two buildings on it, one for guests and one for owners. Only the owners' building is covered
even if the guests have to use the bathroom and/or kitchen in the owners' residence.
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Holiday Homes
EQC can provide cover for holiday homes that are rented out if the intention of the owners is to use it whenever
they wish and they store their own possessions there, no matter how minimal the use is, provided the contract
of fire insurance remains in force.
When EQCover on holiday homes DOES NOT apply:
{{ If the holiday home is set up purely as a commercial enterprise and the owners do not use it or intend to
use it for their own purposes, then EQCover DOES NOT apply.
{{ If an organisation owns holiday homes purely for the benefit of their members, and these members pay to
stay in the holiday homes, EQCover DOES NOT apply.
Serviced Apartments and Time-Shares
Serviced apartments and time-shares are not covered by EQC unless:
{{ There is a self-contained manager’s flat, in which case that flat is covered; or
{{ If the owner/manager’s part of the accommodation is greater than 50% of the total area of the building.
In a boarding house which has a manager who uses one of the bedrooms (not self-contained), there is no EQCover.
In a building that has both serviced and owner-occupier apartments, EQCover applies to the owner-occupier
apartments but not to the serviced apartments.
The 30-day rule (serviced apartments and time-shares)
It would appear that in some localities, once summer is over, serviced apartments and time-shares revert to
long term permanent rentals. If the apartment is rented long term (for more than 30 days consecutively) then it
is a permanent home for that period and EQC’s cover can apply.
To determine whether EQCover is applicable, the 50% rule applies. That is, if over a year, the majority of the
time the building is used as a time-share or serviced apartment then EQCover DOES NOT apply. If the majority
of the time it is used as long-term accommodation, then EQCover DOES apply.
Caravans
There are two distinct types of caravan type accommodation.
Example 1
The caravan is able to be towed to a camp site and is then towed away once the holiday is over. EQCover
does not apply.
Example 2
Caravans that are towed or delivered to a site and are:
{{ Self-contained (see Page 4 for definition)
{{ Connected to local services or have their own ability to be self sufficient
{{ Cannot be moved (wheels removed, fixed to pile structure), EQCover does apply.
If these caravans are insured for “market value” or indemnity value, EQCover is automatically $100,000
or its lower replacement value.
If caravan is insured for replacement, EQCover is limited by the cap of $100,000. If the replacement sum
insured is for example $30,000, EQCover would also be $30,000.
See page 11 for a complete example on calculating EQCover on residential buildings.
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Offshore
Placements
Sometimes an intermediary in New Zealand or offshore arranges offshore cover for
residential property located in New Zealand.
EQCover still applies in this situation and remittance of the EQC premium is made
direct to EQC, generally within 60 days of the inception/expiry date of the cover
(unless other arrangements have been made).
EQCover Direct
with EQC
There are situations where clients don’t want fire insurance cover on their residential property or are unable to
purchase insurance via an insurance company, but still wish to have the cover provided by EQC.
In situations like this EQC corresponds either directly with the client or through an intermediary.
If EQC agrees to provide cover, the terms and conditions are usually the same as for the EQCover provided
when you enter into a fire contract through an insurance company. Any exclusions or property title notations
such as Section 74 of the Building Act, still apply.
The Government has stated an intention to review the EQC scheme in the near future. EQC will not provide
direct cover to new clients in advance of that review.
If you have any enquires or would like further information about either offshore placements or cover direct with
EQC, please contact:
Lee Patton
Compliance Manager
Phone: 04 901 6665
Email: [email protected]
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Property not insured
by the EQC Act
1.
Any property that is not tangible property.
2.
Any motor vehicle (being a vehicle drawn or propelled by mechanical power), or any parts of, or
accessories to, a motor vehicle.
3.
Any trailer (being a vehicle without motive power that is capable of being drawn or propelled by a
motor vehicle and that is not being used as a dwelling), or any parts of, or accessories to, a trailer.
4.
Any vessel (being anything made to float, whether it is fixed or free, and whether or not it has any means of propulsion), or any parts of, or accessories to, a vessel.
5.
Any aircraft, or anything in or on an aircraft.
6.
Any bush, forest, tree, plant, or lawn.
7.
Any growing crops (including fruit trees and vines) or cut crops in the open fields.
8.
Any explosives.
9.
Any animals, including livestock and pets.
10.
Any road, street, drive, path, bridge, or culvert other than a gangway, ladder, access platform, or other form of access, constructed in a residential building or being an integral part of a residential building.
11.
Any drain, channel, tunnel, or cutting, unless used to connect parts of one or more residential
buildings.
12.
Any dam, breakwater, mole, groyne, fence, pole, or wall that does not constitute an integral part of a residential building.
13.
Any reservoir, swimming pool, bath, spa pool, tank, or water tower other than -
a)
A reservoir, swimming pool, bath, spa pool, tank or water tower that constitutes an integral part of, and that is within, a residential building; or
b)
A reservoir or tank used in a residential building as a storage vessel for any liquid product; or
c)
A water tank forming part of the water supply to a residential building; or
d)
A septic tank.
14.
Any tennis court, whether inside or outside and whether lawn or not.
15.
Any jetty, wharf, or landing.
16. Any paving or other artificial surface.
17.
Any jewellery, precious stones, money, works of art, securities, documents, or stamps.
EQCover does not cover any consequential loss Including loss by theft, vandalism, loss of profits, or business
interruption. Nor does EQCover include the costs of staying somewhere else temporarily after an earthquake or
natural disaster.
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Section 74 of the
Building Act 2004
The following notice is posted on EQC’s website.
Conditional Building Consent Issues
Do you have a building consent issued subject to Section 74 of the Building Act 2004 or Section 36(2) of the
Building Act 1991?
If you do, there will be an entry on your certificate of title which indicates that the land within that certificate of
title is likely to be subject to specified natural hazard/s.
Your local council will have required this entry to be placed on the certificate of title as a condition of consent
for building work on your property. If you have any queries about the conditional consent and the entry on your
title, you will need to talk to the council in question. EQC does not have any authority in relation to that entry or
the consent conditions.
Implications for EQCover
The Earthquake Commission Act 1993 (Schedule 3, clause 3(d)) gives EQC a discretion to decline, or meet part
only of, a claim where the certificate of title for the affected property contains such an entry. Whether EQC will
actually decline part or all of a claim on this ground depends in part on the nature of the hazard and the natural
disaster that may occur.
If you have any queries about your cover under the Earthquake Commission Act, please call our free phone
number (for both land-line and mobile phones) on 0800 652 333. It will help us to answer your query if you find
out from the Council the nature of the hazard specified on your title before you call EQC.
In some instances private insurers provide cover for natural disaster damage beyond EQCover. An entry on your
certificate of title subject to Section 74 of the Building Act 2004 or Section 36(2) of the Building Act 1991 may
also affect that top-up insurance. We suggest that you contact your private insurer to find out whether this
entry will affect your insurance with them.
Building Act 2004
72. Building consent for building on land subject to natural hazards must be granted in certain cases-
Despite section 71, a building consent authority that is a territorial authority must grant a building consent if the building consent authority considers that-
(a)
the building work to which an application for a building consent relates will not accelerate, worsen, or result in a natural hazard on the land on which the building work is to be carried out or any other property; and
(b)
the land is subject or is likely to be subject to 1 or more natural hazards; and
(c) it is reasonable to grant a waiver or modification of the building code in respect of the natural hazard concerned.
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73.
Conditions on building consents granted under section 72 -
(1) A building consent authority that is a territorial authority that grants a building consent under section 72 must include, as a condition of the consent, that the building consent authority will, on issuing the consent, notify the consent to,-
(a)
in the case of an application made by, or on behalf of, the Crown, the appropriate Minister and the Surveyor-General; and
(b)
(c)
in the case of an application made by, or on behalf of, the owners of Maori land, the Registrar of the Maori Land Court; and
in any other case, the Registrar-General of Land.
(2)
The notification under subsection (1)(a) or (b) must be accompanied by a copy of any project information memorandum that has been issued and that relates to the building
consent in question.
(3)
The notification under subsection (1)(c) must identify the natural hazard concerned.
74. Steps after notification-
(1)
On receiving a notification under section 73,-
(a)
(b)
the Surveyor-General or the Registrar of the Maori Land Court, as the case may be, must enter in his or her records the particulars of the notification together with a copy of any project information memorandum that accompanied the notification:
the Registrar-General of Land must record, as an entry on the certificate of title to the land on which the building work is carried out,(i)
that a building consent has been granted under section 72; and
(ii)
particulars that identify the natural hazard concerned.
(2)
If an entry has been recorded on a duplicate of the certificate of title referred to in subsection (1)(b) under section 641A of the Local Government Act 1974 or section 36 of the former Act, the Registrar-
General of Land does not need to record another entry on the duplicate.
(3)
Subsection (4) applies if a building consent authority determines that any of the following entries is no longer required:
(a)
an entry referred to in subsection (1)(b):
(b)
an entry under section 641A of the Local Government Act 1974:
(c)
an entry under section 36 of the former Act.
(4)
The building consent authority must notify the Surveyor-General, the Registrar of the Maori Land Court, or the Registrar-General of Land, as the case may be, who must amend his or her records or remove the entry from the certificate of title.
EQC Act 1993 - Schedule 3, clause 3(d)
Circumstances where Commission may decline claimThe Commission may decline (or meet part only of) a claim made under any insurance of any property under
this Act where the certificate of title for the land comprising the property, or on which the property is situated
contains an entry under section 36(2) of the Building Act 1991 or an entry under section 74 of the Building Act
2004.
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