An insurer says owners of cyclone-hit homes that were flooded in metres of water and contaminated silt can expect a write-off.
But that's not been the experience of some Hawkes Bay residents, who are shocked their insurers are scoping costs to rebuild homes even those where the floodwaters reached the roof.
Tower has 170,000 home policies on its books and says assessing yellow and red stickered homes is a priority.
Its chief executive Blair Turnbull said badly flooded homes are likely a write off.
Turnbull said Tower will not withdraw from flood affected areas - in insurance speak that's an embargo - but insurance premiums will factor in the risk of properties flooding again.
He said one percent of the company's policyholders, around 1700, are in high-risk flood areas,but insurance premiums for severe flood risk homes could become problematic.
Turnbull said decisions need to be made at government level for those in very high risk areas.
