Quake homeowners take insurer to court

Christchurch High Court. (3 News)
Christchurch High Court. (3 News)

A group of nearly 50 disgruntled earthquake damaged homeowners have gone to the Christchurch High Court in a bid to take a class action against their insurer, Southern Response.

But the Crown-owned insurer argues that each claim should be handled individually and not as a group.

Lesley Anderson and Derek Woods still don't know if their earthquake-damaged Burwood home is a repair or a rebuild.

"We feel like we're in limbo. We need a resolution and we feel that so many people are just on hold, their lives are on hold, and we don't want that for ourselves," Ms Anderson says.

So they and a collective of Southern Response customers in similar positions arrived at the High Court this morning, seeking permission for a class action against the government-owned insurer.

Lawyer Francis Cooke QC says the homeowners have brought their case as a group because many couldn't afford to fight the insurer on their own.

Watch the video for the full 3 News report.