I love True Crime podcasts! They are a game changer. The other day I was listening away on one of my commutes and the hosts of my favorite podcast started talking about home buying. Now these ladies who host this podcast live in LA. One of them had stated that when she purchased her home she had to sign a document stating she understands she purchased a home in an Earthquake area where if an Earthquake happens the ground beneath her would liquefy!
I have never heard of this before and I’ve lived in California my whole life. Maybe I just didn’t pay attention to that part of science class? The ground would liquefy, otherwise known as soil liquefaction…terrifying! In 2018 an Earthquake caused soil liquefaction that buried a neighborhood and a village in 3 meters of mud. That is almost 10 feet. I could never live in an area where if an Earthquake happened the ground would liquefy let alone purchase a home on land like that. That’s just me, I was shocked that the host of my podcast was OK with it, or anyone for that matter.
I found a website where you can type in your address and it’ll show you if you are on any faults and if the ground would liquefy. If you’re interested in checking your own address click here! The site also gives a ton of information on “The Big One” and what you can do to prepare for it, emergency information, and scientific information regarding earthquakes in general. Hey, they even have a podcast!
Daily there are new articles and TV shows coming out about this giant Earthquake and everything I read or see says “It’s not a matter of if but when.” Those are haunting words. Because you cannot stop nature. We can only react to it.
Did you know that your homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover your property or personal belongings for an Earthquake? If you didn’t, then you’re welcome. Now you know. Earthquake Insurance is something that you have to purchase in addition to your homeowner’s insurance policy. Some carriers will offer an endorsement to add onto your homeowner’s policy for an additional premium but it may have limitations compared to an Earthquake policy on it’s own. Check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer that or if you would need to purchase a policy on it’s own.
Many homeowner’s insurance companies will offer an Earthquake Insurance product within their company, but other carriers will offer a policy through another company they work with that specializes in just Earthquake coverage. The Earthquake carrier will want to know what your dwelling coverage is so they can match the coverage on your homeowner’s policy limit. The Earthquake deductible is different from a homeowner’s deductible. It is a percentage of the dwelling amount with the lowest option at 15%, some carriers offer a 10% deductible. So if you’re dwelling amount is $300,000 then a 15% deductible would be $45k. Yes, this sounds like a ridiculous amount to pay but would you rather pay the entire cost to rebuild completely out of pocket?
If you’re curious you are in an Earthquake Danger zone check out this map of the risk zones in the U.S. California is basically all high risk. 
Depending on where you live in California, Earthquake coverage can be very inexpensive, but also very expensive. The only way to find out is to get a quote and check it out. In fact, quote yourself through our trusted Earthquake Insurance provider GeoVera Insurance Company. Quoting yourself takes just a few minutes and if you like the price you can purchase it yourself. From your couch in your jammies in the middle of the night! Click Here if you’d like to get your Earthquake Insurance quote! If you’d rather talk to us and ask questions give us a call at (916)985-7500.
P.S. You do not have to be a homeowner to protect yourself from Earthquake damage. You can still purchase a policy as a tenant!
It’s not a matter of if but when. Everyone’s saying it. Protect yourself and your greatest asset, your family with Earthquake coverage. Get an Earthquake Quote Today!
American Diversified Insurance Services, Inc
A: 201 Natoma St Folsom, CA 95630
P: (916)985-7500 F: (916)985-7302 T: (916)970-9349
E: info@amerdiv.com W: www.amerdiv.com
Sources for post:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soil_liquefaction
https://the-big-one.scpr.org/stories/
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