Gidden v IAG New Zealand Ltd [2016] NZHC 948.

Mr. and Mrs. Gidden’s house suffered extensive damage during the Christchurch earthquakes. The couple lodged a complaint with the Residential Advisory Service (RAS) after a series of delays during which their insurer, IAG, assessed whether the house was a rebuild or a repair. To resolve the issues over the handling of the claim, the RAS arranged a meeting between the parties, the outcome of which was a typed and signed agreement whereby they agreed to “proceed in good faith on the basis of the house…being a rebuild” and to “reach agreement on costs.” The Court found that the outcome was intended to be legally binding.