The Insurance and Savings Ombudsman has set up a team to work specifically with people in Canterbury who have been contacting it for help following the earthquakes.
Team manager Iain Opraysays about 260 queries have been received and more are coming through each day.
Mr Opray says people want reassurance that what their insurer has told them is correct. Many are frustrated at delays in payments and others just want advice about future policies.
He says the team is handling 12 formal complaints so far, as the office can deal with them only once they go through the insurer's own internal complaints procedure.
