Effects Of Earthquake In California

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With the occurrence of an earthquake in La Habra in March of 2014, earthquakes have been more and more on the minds of California residents. But what are the risks of earthquakes in California? and How are people managing them?
California residents face great risk everyday not only of physical damage and injury but also of complete financial stress. But based on the LA Times, only 17% of California’s homeowners has earthquake insurance. Why even after one of the most damaging natural disasters in the United State’s history do people not act more wisely in mitigating their risks?
The Northridge Earthquake happened on January 17, 1994, at about 4 o’clock in the morning. It only had a duration of 10 - 20 seconds, but caused 57 deaths and more than 5000 injuries. It also caused damages totalling over 20 billion dollars, including those to 82,000 residential and commercial buildings. It registered a 6.7 on the Richter scale, and had some of the fastest ground momentum recorded in Urban North America.
Source: Forbes, U.S. Geological Survey, state of California, AP research
Before Northridge, a policyholders homeowners policy would (was required to) cover earthquake damage. However, Earthquake insurance coverage has changed radically after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. After Northridge, most insurers refused to write new policies because the $12.5 billion in insurance claims was far higher than the total of all earthquake insurance premiums were collected in California. They weren’t allowed to terminate or refuse to renewal current policies after the earthquake; therefore, they stopped issuing new policies. During that time, the demand for earthquake insurance policies was increasing, as a result of increased awareness of another earth...

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...ce, and as an insurance professional, we advise you to leave the insurance to the CEA, unless you can find a way to mitigate your risk, mainly through a strong consumer base. The California Earthquake authority offers a needed product, and reselling it is always an option if you desire to expand your product lines.
A Note to Homeowners
But for a homeowner in California, protecting yourself against the potential disaster of an earthquake should be a top priority. If earthquake insurance is out of the question, reconsider the costs and risks you are assuming. If you cannot justify buying earthquake insurance, then protect yourself in other ways. If you have a valuable collection stored in your house, insure it with a personal umbrella policy. Make sure your house is retrofitted. If you plan to self insure, make sure you are faithful in your deposits and investments.

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