A business leader in Christchurch is calling for government intervention to help companies affected by insurance freezes.
All the major insurance companies have put bans and restrictions on new policies as a result of the earthquakes.
The chief executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive says insurers have also trebled, and sometimes quadrupled, the cost of insurance since the quakes.
Peter Townsend says the insurance companies' actions are crippling local business as some are unable to continue without insurance.
He says insurers are unlikely to change their processes.
Mr Townsend is suggesting the Government intervene and insure local businesses until the insurance industry restarts policies.
