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While the most famous fault line may be the San Andreas Fault running through California and made popular by the movie “San Andreas,” starring Dwayne Johnson, California is not the only state vulnerable to earthquakes. Many other states, like Alaska, Washington, Texas, and Hawaii, experience a significant number of earthquakes, too. Alaska famously experienced a magnitude 9.2 earthquake, the largest recorded on U.S. soil.
Earthquakes leave a wake of home and infrastructure damage to the tune of $14.7 billion annually in the United States. While nearly two-thirds of that comes from California, which accounts for $9.6 billion, nearby states such as Oregon, Washington, and Nevada are also impacted. Aside from the Pacific Coast, damages are highest in Utah ($367 million) and Puerto Rico ($327 million). Surprisingly, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Missouri also rank in the top 10 for the highest annual losses from earthquake damage. With earthquakes growing more costly every year, it’s as important as ever to create a plan and mitigate your risks.
Common myths are worth noting to better prepare yourself, your family, and your belongings when the earth moves. Here are just a few:
Myth: Earthquakes can be predicted.
Fact: Even with new technologies, scientists and geologists cannot pinpoint the date, time, and location of earthquakes. Earthquake early-warning systems are in development in some high-risk areas of the country, like California and the Pacific Northwest.
Myth: There is such a thing as earthquake weather.
Fact: This cultural myth has no evidence to support the claim that hot, dry, or windy weather precedes an earthquake.
Myth: Stand in a doorway during an earthquake.
Fact: In the past, doorways were considered the safest way to ride out an earthquake. This is no longer true with modern construction; doorways are no safer than other areas. Drop, cover, and hold on is the best way to protect yourself when shaking starts.
Don’t wait for the next earthquake to hit. You can start creating your comprehensive earthquake plan today with the following tips:
1. Ensure your foundation is bolted and braced, which may vary depending on your home’s foundation type. If you have a soft-story (living space over a garage) built before 2000, ensure it is retrofitted.
2. Identify safe spots in your home for you and your loved ones to shelter during an earthquake. When indoors, stay there and shelter under a desk or table, and hang on to it (drop, cover, and hold on)! Studies indicate that during earthquakes, people are more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects (like TVs, lamps, and glass) than by building collapses. are more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects (like TVs, lamps, and glass) than by building collapses.
3. Have door latches, braces, and fasteners installed for heavy, larger items or things that might fall during shaking. Refrigerators, water heaters, bookcases, televisions, large mirrors, hanging lights, and plants are all common items that could possibly move or topple over. For collectibles, consider using a museum-strength putty to keep items from falling off shelves.
4. When creating your emergency plan, make sure it includes evacuation routes and reunion locations, a trusted out-of-state person’s name and number, and the location of your emergency supplies. Take your home’s features into account, whether there are stairs, multi-unit spaces, a pool, stables, a separate garage, and safes, and include them in your plan. Take time before disaster strikes to consult with your risk advisor to make sure your plan is complete.
5. Establish a communication plan with family and staff. Get together to confirm what each person will do before, during, and after an earthquake. Share this plan with people who take care of children, grandchildren, pets, the yard, or your home.
6. Regular practice drills are essential. Do you know how to shut off your water, gas, and electric utilities if required? An alternative option is to install a seismic shut-off valve for your gas line. Have occasional earthquake drills to practice your plan.
The U.S. Geological Survey has a list of tips about what to do depending on your location and activity if an earthquake hits. For example, stay clear of fireplaces and avoid the kitchen, which can be a danger zone due to falling items or debris.
Earthquake disaster kits should contain similar basic items as any other emergency kit, and you can assemble your items or buy ready-to-use kits available at many sites, including Amazon and the American Red Cross. There are a variety of checklists available for DIY kits.
Regularly check and update your kit, especially to replace expired food and medications. Verify that all items in your kit are in working order. If you schedule regular earthquake drills, you can review this kit at the same time.
Some essential items are:
Be aware of your family’s unique needs, such as staff, pets, seniors, prescriptions, or medications, and plan accordingly.
You may know the physical actions to take in response to natural disasters. But what should you do about bills, cash, or insurance claims when a disaster strikes? Keep these tips in mind:
1. Contact your risk advisor so you know what is and is not covered in a natural disaster. Check your policy, as most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover events such as flooding or earthquakes.
2. Continue to pay your mortgage and insurance premiums regardless of the status of your home. While it’s possible that your lender may offer some payment relief, your loan terms and financial responsibility remain the same during and after a natural disaster.
3. Protect yourself from fraud: Scams are prevalent following a disaster and prey upon your vulnerability. Familiarize yourself with fraud schemes and trends. You can check the FBI website, which maintains a list of common scams. Trust your gut—if you feel uncomfortable with a service provider, simply say no.
4. Protect your digital assets in a natural disaster by following these guidelines:
a. Perform regular backups to a cloud storage service or external hard drive and automate backups to be consistent. Store backups in a safe place away from your main residence and use cloud services for offsite storage.
b. Hardware protection: Use surge protectors and secure your devices physically to prevent damage during an earthquake.
c. Encrypt sensitive data on your devices to safeguard information in case of loss or theft.
d. Consider a disaster recovery plan outlining how to access and restore data from backups.
e. Inventory all your important digital files and their locations for easy retrieval and recovery.
Traditional homeowners’ insurance may fall short of adequately protecting your home and your valuables. Specialized coverage, such as earthquake insurance, may be the right choice for you, depending on your location and the assets you need to protect.
The cost of this specialty insurance depends on a range of factors, including where you live and your home’s features. For example, the farther away you are from fault lines, the less you might pay. Insurance prices range from approximately $300 per year in states with less seismic activity to as much as $5,000 a year in California.
If you experience damage from an earthquake, it's essential to notify your insurance agent or broker in writing as soon as possible, even if you think your damage may not exceed your deductible. In rare cases, it’s possible that some earthquake-related losses might be covered under select sections of your homeowners policy, even if you don’t have specific earthquake insurance. Working with an experienced broker in advance of an earthquake can help you identify if your homeowners’ policy has these exceptions.
A total of 1,770 earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0 or above have struck within 186 miles of the U.S. in the past ten years. This amounts to a yearly average of 177 earthquakes per year, or 14 per month. On average, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.0 or above will hit near the United States roughly every two days.
While we can’t predict when and where an earthquake will take place, we can help you better understand your risks and plan accordingly.
Factors that influence earthquake risk are:
1. Geographic location. If your home is perched on a cliffside or over water, it can put your home at a higher risk for damage.
2. Property type. Older homes or estates, houses on hills, or those with living spaces over the garage may need special attention to prevent additional potential earthquake damage.
3. Proximity to fault lines. Know if your home is near fault lines and research any recent seismic activity. Fire and mudslides can also happen because of an earthquake; you may want to consult with professionals (geologists, structural engineers).
While earthquakes can be overwhelming to think about, being prepared is essential for your safety. If you live in an area that experiences earthquakes or have any questions about creating an earthquake plan for your home, reach out to your risk advisor for additional tips and information.
Schedule an insurance review with an experienced Personal Risk Advisor to ensure your home is adequately insured for whatever life may bring.
Risk Advisory Leader
