Image supplied by NIWA
The weather patterns of the last week have not been what many were anticipating for the summer holidays and now, with more bad weather approaching in the form of ex-Cyclone Hale, AA Insurance is reminding those in the North Island to check their properties and prepare for heavy rain and severe gales.
Ex-Cyclone Hale is approaching the North Island today, bringing with it heavy rain warnings and a strong wind watch for Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Bay of Plenty and Taupō.
Tom Bartlett, Head of Home Claims, AA Insurance said “With heavy rain on the way for parts of the country which have seen a lot of rainfall already this year, we’re encouraging people to get out and check their properties while it is safe to do so, especially areas of your house that are prone to flooding.
Throughout the busy holiday season, people may not have checked guttering or fencing on their properties. With ex-Cyclone Hale bringing the potential for gale force winds and heavy rain, we’re encouraging people to check their property and prepare for what could be a short but intense period of bad weather,” Bartlett said.
In severe weather events, the most common claims AA Insurance receives are related to flooding and wind damage.
AA Insurance’s top tips to prepare for ex-Cyclone Hale
If rural, check fencing on your property is secure, and livestock are moved to sheltered areas
Clear guttering and ensure drains are free of debris
Tie down any items that could get caught up in the wind, such as trampolines
If possible, move outdoor furniture and barbeques inside or under cover
Ensure your pets are safe and sound
AA Insurance is here to help over the phone, email, live chat, or via WhatsApp message. Contact centre hours: 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am - 6pm on weekends and public holidays on 0800 500 216.
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance is an independently operated, New Zealand-based joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association Limited (NZAA) and Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited (VINZL). Since 1994 we have demonstrated trusted expertise in home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand, and in 2018 introduced commercial small business insurance. We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our 1000+ employees look after 500,000+ customers with more than 1,000,000 policies.
We proudly partner with Variety New Zealand – the Children’s Charity (as the lead partner of its Beds for Kids programme), Student Volunteer Army and support grassroot school sports via our Big Little Sponsorship sports grant in partnership with Eden Park. We are consistently recognised in industry awards and honours, including being voted the Reader’s Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for 14 years running, named Canstar’s 2023 Home and Contents Insurer of the Year, 2023-2024 Canstar Outstanding Value for Home and Contents, 2024 Outstanding Value Car Insurance and their inaugural most Satisfied Customers Car Insurance Claims award. We are currently ranked 6th amongst 100 of New Zealand’s most successful companies in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index (since 2015) and placed fourth in the 2024 Kantar Customer Leadership Index.
Find out more at www.aainsurance.co.nz
For more information please contact:
AA Insurance Media Team
mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz