Insurance cover applies for 'aftershock'

11:46 am on 26 February 2011

The Insurance Council is reassuring policyholders that they are covered even though Tuesday's powerful earthquake may be classed as an aftershock.

Council chief executive Chris Ryan says people might have to pay an excess on the second claim.

He says people are also covered if their house is broken into.

Mr Ryan says assessors have not had access yet to the central business district, but are finding significant damage in the suburbs.