The Earthquake Commission has received 650 claims from householders in Hawke's Bay following a recent earthquake.
The quake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, was centred just south of Hastings and struck just before 11.30pm on 25 August.
Many retailers in Hastings and Napier spent the following day clearing stock which had fallen from shelves.
Earthquake Commission insurance manager Lance Dixon predicts as many as 2000 claims could be received, based on computer modelling of the strength of the earthquake.
The claims are almost equally divided between Napier and Hastings. More than 90% are for damage to household contents and to interior walls and doors.
