Quake damage costs could go up to $6m

Estimates of damage claims from this week's Hastings earthquake have been revised up from $5 million to about $6m.

The 5.9 magnitude quake struck at 11.25pm on Monday and was centred about 10km southwest of Hastings at a depth of 30km.

Earthquake Commission insurance manager Lance Dixon said 300 claims had been received so far, and about 2000 were expected before the three month claim period ran out.

The latest assessment put the estimated total damage at around $6m.

- NZPA