SYDNEY, Australia — New Zealand extended a state of emergency for the city of Christchurch on Monday following the weekend’s earthquake.

On Saturday, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit the city, causing extensive damage, with the government reportedly deciding to keep the state of emergency in place until Wednesday.

Reports from the region said at least 500 structures were damaged in the quake on New Zealand’s South Island and would need to be inspected.

Some insurers on Monday attempted to quantify exposure to the quake, with New Zealand financial services group Tower Ltd. saying that it expects insurance claims of around 5 million New Zealand dollars (US$3.6 million) before tax, according to several reports.

Among Australia-based insurers, Suncorp-Metway Ltd. said that it expects limited financial exposure from the quake. Insurance Australia Group Ltd. said that it is too early to assess damage and stuck to its 2011 fiscal-year guidance, reports said.