The Law Society is running advertisements telling quake homeowners in Christchurch not to sign insurance settlements without checking they are getting everything they are entitled to.
It has placed the warnings in The Press because it was hearing of residents who had agreed to payouts they later regretted.
The society says problems with insurance settlements that are not enough to fully repair or rebuild people's homes are only just coming to light.
The Canterbury Communities Earthquake Recovery Network says some people have been waiting for settlements since the September earthquake.
It says desperation is leading some to accept smaller insurance payouts than they otherwise could have negotiated.
