This article is based on material supplied by EQC in its information kit detailing the background to and consequences of the Earthquake Act 1993. After discussing the need for a change in insuring for disasters, the new natural disaster insurance for residential properties - EQCover - is outlined. This is followed by an outline of the phase-out of EQC cover for disaster insurance for commercial and "Special Purpose" properties. The new structure for and role of the Earthquake Commission is also outlined.