More than 100 claims have been lodged for earthquake damage following the magnitude 5.1 quake in northern Waikato earlier this month.

More than 20,000 people reported feeling the quake on January 4, which hit 5km south of Te Aroha and was 7km deep.

The Earthquake Commission says the majority of the 103 claims had come from the Matamata-Piako District, Tauranga and Hamilton areas.

The commission says so far all the claims related to earthquake damage to residential homes and none relate to land damage.

Homeowners only needed to contact and deal with their private insurer to lodge a claim, it says.

"Under the new Natural Disaster Response Agreement, all claims for natural disaster damage are managed by the private insurers, who also look after the EQCover part of a claim."

While earthquakes could not be predicted, homeowners could get prepared to reduce the impact of them, the commission said.

This included taking down any brick chimneys and making sure large items like bookcases or televisions were properly secured, it says.

"It also pays to have a survival kit to get you through the first few days or weeks after a major earthquake in case you lose basic services or are unable to get supplies."

RNZ