Tips for Earthquake Awareness Month
Just last week four miles outside of Medford, Oklahoma, there was a 4.6 magnitude earthquake. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injury but talk about a little too close to home.
You may be surprised to know that all 50 U.S. states experience seismic activity, according to FEMA. An earthquake insurance policy can help mitigate the financial burden in the aftermath that a quake should happen.
Safety Tips
Like we were taught in school, practice “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” This means if the ground starts to shake drop to the floor, take cover and hold on to something sturdy until the shaking stops. There could be furniture and debris starting to fall all around you, so try to cover yourself with something soft but sturdy, if possible.
If you are outside and you feel shaking, immediately look for an opening away from buildings, power lines, trees, or anything else that could fall and then drop, cover, and hold on. Stay in place until the shaking stops.
If you are driving and suddenly feel shaking, pull over to a safe location, stay in your car with your seatbelt on, and wait until the shaking stops. Avoid pulling over under a bridge, powerlines or a covered garage as these could fall.
Take a look around your office now and take notes of areas clear of objects that can easily fall. Also, find the nearest stairwell if you are on a higher floor to know where to run if shaking occurs. Now inform all other employees of these two items. Being able to respond quickly because a plan is in place is your best form of protection.
Insurance Tips
Know in advance that most commercial property insurance policies DO NOT cover earthquakes.
Talk with your insurance agent or Risk Advisor and they will tell you if earthquake insurance makes sense for your business. They will assess your risk portfolio and, if earthquake insurance seems like a logical choice for you, guide you through the whole process to find you the best deal possible.
Commercial earthquake insurance policies typically cover damage to your building and your assets and sometimes lost business income caused by the earthquake.
Depending on the policy you have, there will be a deductible – and it could be high. The typical deductible ranges from 10% - 20%.
