Oklahoma Earthquake Insurance
Find the right earthquake insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
While most people believe that California is the only state to fall victim to earthquakes, in reality, every single state, including Oklahoma, has earthquakes. At least 10 minor earthquakes struck Oklahoma in a two-day period in late August 2009. Before you go out and buy earthquake insurance to protect your home, it might be useful to compare insurance options, check your risk factors, and understand what personal information affects your rate quotes. This article can guide you through the OK earthquake history and what you need to think about as a homeowner or business owner.
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Earthquakes Increasingly Common in Oklahoma
There are over 16 fault lines in Oklahoma. While the majority of these fault lines are in the southern part of the state (concentrated in the south-central area), there are lines that traverse this state through almost every major area. For this reason, the earthquake risk to your home or your business could be high, but generally it's a risk that any home, car, or business owner faces.
What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?
As a general rule, homeowners insurance won't cover earthquake damage. You should make sure you get enough earthquake insurance to cover your belongings in case of a major earthquake in your area. Typically, there are three types of insurance included in an earthquake insurance policy:
- Dwelling: This covers damage to the home, along with garages and attached buildings.
- Detached structures: This covers detached structures such as garden sheds, greenhouses and detached shops.
- Contents: While being able to repair your home is important after an earthquake, being able to replace any damaged items is another factor. If you have especially expensive or irreplaceable items, you may want to list them on the policy.
How Much Is Earthquake Insurance in Oklahoma?
Earthquake insurance costs vary widely depending on factors such as these:
- Location
- Age of building
- Building materials
- Value of contents
- Deductible desired
There's no steadfast cost for earthquake insurance, so it's important to get quotes before choosing the earthquake policy that fits your situation best.
Take note, however, of any waiting periods. Some earthquake policies implement a waiting period after the policy purchase before you may file a claim. Remember that older homes and homes in areas with larger chances of an earthquake may face higher policy prices due to increased risk.
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How To Prepare for an Earthquake
When attempting to prepare for an emergency such as an earthquake, there are three major ways to secure your home:
- Secure any hazards and heavy movable items. This includes anchoring cupboards, TVs, dressers, water heaters, etc.
- Be prepared by having an emergency plan in place. Never go outdoors during an earthquake. Teach the basics of stop drop and cover.
- Organize disaster supplies such as water, dried foods, first aid kits and blankets. Keep these in the home, in the office and in vehicles.
These steps will help keep your family safe in case of an earthquake.
Your home also needs some disaster planning before shaking begins. Here are a few risk factors to consider:
- Is your home on a hillside?
- Is your home more than 25 years old?
- Is your home on a raised foundation?
- Is there living space above the garage?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, having a seismic retrofitter give you a quote to make your home or business ready for an earthquake is important. These repairs are usually very affordable when compared to building a new building after an earthquake strikes.
How To Get Earthquake Insurance Quotes
Whether you just have questions or want to get quotes on earthquake insurance, Trusted Choice® agents are always available to help you, no matter where you live in OK. They can answer any questions you have, help you find the perfect policy, and even assist in filing a claim.
Contact your local Trusted Choice agent for more information.