Dodds Win Case Against Southern Response

Crown insurer Southern Response won't appeal Dodds earthquake insurance decision

Michael Hayward, Sep 22 2020

The Government will not appeal an earthquake insurance court decision that set a “powerful precedent” for a class action that may involve thousands of other Christchurch homeowners and cost taxpayers more than $400 million.

In August 2019, the High Court found Government insurance company Southern Response had engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct that misrepresented Karl and Alison Dodds’ insurance entitlements.

The insurer had produced two differing detailed repair/rebuild assessments, or DRAs, which outlined the costs of rebuilding or repairing their home, and only shown them one which did not include some costs.

The Government appealed to the Court of Appeal, saying it needed legal clarity because of the thousands of other cases in a similar position. The Court of Appeal sided with the Dodds in September.

Full story here: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122848174/crown-insurer-southern-response-wont-appeal-dodds-earthquake-insurance-decision