Quake: 40,000 insurance claims

More than 40,000 insurance claims have been lodged in the aftermath of the Canterbury earthquake, the Earthquake Commission (EQC) says.

The 7.1 magnitude quake which struck early on Saturday morning is thought to have damaged 100,000 buildings.

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It appeared most people affected had insurance, EQC insurance manager Lance Dixon told NZPA.

He had only heard of one or two that were not covered by private insurance.

Mr Dixon said the EQC had been asked by the Government to collect data about those homes.

"We have said if anyone is uninsured could they please lodge a claim with the commission.

We will then pass that information on to the government departments who can look at those issues."

Bill English, the minister responsible for the EQC, said the Government would be waiting for that data to make any decisions about stepping in to help.

"By in large the principle should be that people who've paid the premiums get the cover and people who have chosen not to pay the premiums are going to find themselves in a more difficult position," he said.

"Regardless of whether people are covered or not, there are hardship provisions in place, both through the Mayor's fund, and through support from Work and Income New Zealand."

Meanwhile, quake-hit Cantabrians woke to the news today that the cordons in the Christchurch central business district would remain in place for the time being in the interest of public safety. 

"It's our intention to relax the cordon as soon as possible," said Civil Defence controller Michael Mendonca today.

"However we have chosen to take a cautious approach at this stage to ensure public safety,"

The situation was being reviewed continually and the cordon remains bounded by Worcester, St Asaph, Madras and Colombo streets.

Overnight there were fewer aftershocks than previously, with only one, of 4.3 magnitude at 12.25am.

But one side effect of Saturday's 7.1 earthquake and the many aftershocks had been a record number of heart attacks, The Press reported.

David Smyth, clinical director of cardiology at Christchurch Hospital, said patients were saying when the quake hit they got pains and every major aftershock had triggered more.

The heart unit usually had about 50 beds for Canterbury patients as well as taking transfers from Ashburton, the West Coast and Timaru.

Yesterday morning there were 68 cardiology patients in the hospital, after a record 77 on Monday.