The Earthquake Commission has announced customers can now lodge claims for property damaged from natural disasters via an online form.

The new updates also give EQC response teams real-time information and reports to assist with responding to claims.

The commission has so far received 18 notifications following a magnitude 5.4 quake off the Kāpiti Coast on 25 January, half of which were reported through the new online channel.

Customers wishing to notify the EQC of damaged claims must do so within two years of the disaster event, however notifying within three months is recommended.

The new claim form can be found here.