In 2017 the number of insurance claims from "extreme events" broke records last year, testing the sector's ability to keep up with nature.
The Insurance Council of New Zealand says total settlement cost of events in 2017 reached $2.55 billion.
Chief executive Tim Grafton said, "2017 was a year that tested the insurance sector's ability to meet people's needs at some of the most stressful times in their lives."
"Extreme events such as these create large numbers of claims simultaneously, which really puts pressure on insurers."
Insurers settled 39,000 Kaikōura earthquake claims, 25,500 claims from extreme weather events, and 2,070 claims for severely damaged homes from the Canterbury earthquakes.
The payout was the equivalent of paying almost $7 million every day for a year.
Grafton said the Canterbury stats were especially important, as insurers continued to receive claims that were over the Earthquake Commission cap.
"Almost 800 claims were transferred in the year to 31 December," he said.
Source: Stuff