More evacuations have been ordered today in South Canterbury - and a convoy of hundreds of trapped tourists is underway on the West Coast.
Earthquake Commission deputy chief executive Renee Walker says they cover storm and flood damage to residential land - with home and contents damage covered by private insurance.
But she says people should put their wellbeing first.
Walker says they encourage landowners to make claims within three months - but they can be lodged up to two years from the time of the storm.