More than 130 claims - costing an estimated $1.5 million - have been received by the Earthquake Commission (EQC) so far following heavy rain and floods throughout the country over the past two weeks.
The commission said the 138 claims were for landslide damage to homes, and flood and storm damage to land.
Insurance manager Lance Dixon said the majority of the claims were from Napier, Whakatane, Tasman, Waitaki and Wellington.
"We are bringing in assessors as quickly as possible to work on the claims," he said.
People with home and, or contents insurance are automatically covered by the commission and claimants have up to three months from the date of the incident to lodge a claim.
The commission's coverage includes landslip damage to houses and contents, and damage from storm, flood or landslip to land.
In flood-stricken Otago, the extent of the damage across the region became apparent yesterday as surface flooding receded and the clean-up operation began.
The total clean-up cost will not be known for "days if not weeks", though it was likely to be in the millions, Civil Defence spokesman Scott Riley said.
But the Otago Regional Council said though the flooding last week caused widespread damage and disruption, it did not set any records.
Council staff have done extensive analysis of peak flow and rainfall levels, showing the latest flooding was about the third-highest event since the 1986 flood in North Otago, and the third-highest on the Taieri at Outram since 1968.
Some readings stood out, including the 260.5mm of rain recorded over two days at the Dasher in North Otago, almost breaking the highest rainfall record of 265mm hit in January 2002.
The peak flow on the Kakanui River at Clifton Falls was 443 cumecs, close to the second-highest peak flow of 452 recorded in July 1994.
The Taieri River at Outram recorded 1198 cumecs, short of June 1980's 2526 and December 1993's 1467.
Mr Ridley said this morning about 50 rural roads remained closed due to the flooding.
In the Milton/Bruce area, most roads had now reopened.
But pot holes and debris still exist in areas throughout the area and Clutha District Council advises all motorists to be careful.
Roading staff continue to assess and repair damage, although the cost will not be known for some time, the council said.
There were no reports of major damage to property.
