The Earthquake Commission has received 4739 earthquake-related claims so far, but describes this as just the tip of the iceberg.
The agency expects about 100,000 claims to be lodged.
EQC estimates 90% - 95% of those affected will be covered by some form of insurance.
Chief executive Ian Simpson says a lot of planning has gone into how New Zealand would respond to a large earthquake in Wellington, not one in Canterbury.
Mr Simpson says the commission does a lot of work with experts at GNS Science and in universities, but no one predicted an earthquake of this strength to strike Christchurch.
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