Devastated Vakaola Beach Resort receives $1.67 million insurance claim [1]
Thursday, June 30, 2022 - 21:56. Updated on Friday, July 1, 2022 - 22:55.
Vakaloa Beach Resort, received a $1.67 million insurance claim from National Pacific Insurance after the resort was wiped out by the January 15 tsunamis.
It was one of the largest claims from the area that was most badly hit.
"To date, NPI has paid out NZ$7.6 million worth of claims in relation to the Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami," said NPI Tonga Country Manager Manase Tafea.
Vakaloa Beach Resort Owner Marian Tukuafu extended her full gratitude for NPI’s support.
“Thank you very much National Pacific Insurance for always being there for us in the bad times, during Cyclone Harold and the tsunami.”
The resort has been a customer of NPI since 2010 and this is the second time a large claim has been paid. In 2020 Cyclone Harold damaged a large portion of the resort, at that time NPI also paid out a claim of about $774,000 pa’anga.
The resort employed around 30 locals and brought many visitors to the area.
Tower Insurance
Meanwhile, NPI was purchased by Tower Insurance in November 2021 and will officially be rebranded to Tower in the coming months.
Tower Head of Pacific Operations Ali Wilkinson said insurance is vital throughout the Pacific, including in regions like Tonga, that are prone to large weather events.
“Insurance is a crucial tool for community and economic resilience, and protection. As the largest insurer in the Pacific, we remain in a strong position to continue supporting Tonga’s recovery so, please remember we are here to help.”