Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
Insurance FAQs
I HAVE BEEN OFFERED A FULL AND FINAL CASH PAYOUT FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
It is vital to seek qualified independent advice if you are offered a payout.
Get in touch with Residential Advisory Service.
The Residential Advisory Service (RAS) (advisory.org.nz) provides free, impartial advice for people with rebuild as well as insurance issues. Phone 0800 777 299 or 03 379 7027 or Email: info@advisory.org.nz
I DON’T HAVE INSURANCE, OR I’M UNDERINSURED, WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP?
MSD can offer some financial advice around your house and contents. Residential Advisory Service (RAS) may also be able to assist for those houses that have been underinsured.
I’M HAVING ISSUES WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, WHAT CAN I DO?
Residential Advisory Service (RAS) is a free service for property owners facing challenges with homes being rebuilt or repaired following a natural disaster. There’s access to skilled brokers, legal and technical expertise as well as help working with insurers to progress your claim.
I’M HAVING TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING MY INSURANCE, WHO CAN HELP?
Head to your insurance provider. They’ll be happy to explain your insurance and help you lodge claims. Or go to the Community Hub and they can connect you with Residential Advisory Service (RAS) who will be able to help you.
What is the Residential Advisory Service (RAS)?
RAS offers independent advisers who can help you understand your insurance policy and what you are entitled to. RAS can also advocate for you if you have valid concerns with what your insurance company is offering.
Wellbeing FAQs
MY CHILDREN ARE NOT COPING, WHERE CAN FAMILIES GET SUPPORT?
Get in touch with your children’s school for some helpful resources. Plunket has a free phone to call also – 0800 933 922. There are some great online resources/activities for children at kidshealth.govt.co.nz.
Keep an eye out in the community for upcoming events that could help alleviate that stress.
SOMEONE I CARE ABOUT IS STRUGGLING, WHERE CAN THEY GET SUPPORT?
The Community Hub is now closed but supports is still there. Check out our Community Hub page for contact details for a wide range of support services.
You can free call or text 1737 if you want to get in touch with a qualified counsellor/peer support person.
Accommodation FAQs
WHERE DO I GO IF I HAVE ACCOMMODATION NEEDS RELATING TO THE FLOODS?
Register your situation with Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS). TAS provides support to help anyone displaced by natural disasters by helping to find suitable temporary accommodation while their home is repaired or rebuilt.
Temporary Accommodation differs from ‘shelter’ and ‘emergency accommodation’ which is provided for a short time. Temporary Accommodation is used for short to medium term. If you expect your situation to change in the future, register your needs with TAS now.
HOW DO I REGISTER WITH TAS?
You can call the Matching and Placement team on 0508 754 163 or register online www.tas.mbie.govt.nz/west-coast-flooding/
I’VE BEEN PUT INTO TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AND MY NEEDS HAVE CHANGED. IS THERE ANYWHERE ELSE I CAN GO?
If you’re registered with TAS let your matching and placement coordinator know your situation has changed. They will work with you to find a solution.
I AM LIVING WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND IT IS BECOMING DIFFICULT FOR US ALL, IS THERE ANYONE WHO CAN HELP?
Yes, register with TAS. If you are displaced from your home due to the floods, get in touch and register your situation with them. By having your information now, they can have a better understanding of the needs of our community for the future.
I AM STAYING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND CAN STAY AS LONG AS I NEED TO. DO I STILL NEED TO REGISTER WITH TAS?
All residents who have a red or yellow stickered home need to register with TAS.
Even if you think you won’t need assistance with temporary accommodation, it is important to register with TAS, just to cover you should the need arise. There is the real
possibility that some home rebuilds will take longer than homeowners may anticipate.
Staying with friends or family for extended periods of time can become challenging, especially if timeframes continue to be moved out.
Alma Road FAQs
WESTPORT TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION AREA AT ALMA RD
Q. What is TAS?
A. The Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) supplies rental housing for people displaced due to natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes. The service is designed to provide accommodation for people while they work with insurance and repairers to either get their homes to a stage where they can move back in, or relocate and build new.
CHECKLIST FOR FLOOD AFFECTED DWELLINGS
Please use this guideline to know what Council requires from flood-affected homeowners before red and yellow stickers can be removed from homes. Download the Checklist for Flood Affected dwellings here.
1. Checklist for flood affected dwellings with no record of works
If your flood-damaged house repairs were not completed by a Licensed Building Practitioner use the attached checklist and information below.
• Have you verified the moisture levels in the framing?
• Have you re-installed insulation in the walls?
• Have you re-installed insulation in the subfloor?
• Have you re-instated internal linings to original status?
• Have you re-instated brace elements to the last known plans contained in Council files?
• Have you replaced all fixtures for bathrooms/kitchens/washing machine etc. and are these sealed?
• Have you received a PS3 producer statement for your internal membrane i.e wet shower? You can find more information on www.building.govt.nz
• Have you re-instated the existing solid fuel burner in the same location? NOTE: Changing the make and model will require building consent approval.
• Have you re-instated domestic smoke detectors within 3m of sleeping spaces?
• Have you received a Certificate of Compliance from your electrician?