Just recently while browsing through my local library, I checked out a copy of "Living with Earthquakes: A Survivor's Guide" by Robert S. Yeats. It was a good move.

I consider myself well informed on the subject of earthquakes, but this book contained a vast amount of information that was relatively new to me, well written and clearly presented. One section of the book deals with insurance issues, definitely a real world concern once the earth has stopped moving.

There is also a good section on earthquake preparedness, presented in a very realistic perspective.

If you are a fellow Californian, I recommend this book highly. Yeats has also written a companion volume for the Pacific Northwest. I would believe that one is a winner too.

Thank you! Had never heard of him.

I just order the PNW version: "Living with earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest". I ordered the second edition, "revised and expanded".

It will probably make me twitch and break into a sweat every time I cross the Alaskan Way Viaduct...

Sue

I'll check out the book. The last time I asked my home insurance provider about earthquake insurance, they gave me a quote that was beyond ridiculous. The premium was so high that it was like they were saying, "Screw you; we don't want you to buy this insurance; and if you do, we are going to stick it to you hard."

Yes, EQ insurance is expensive, AND you usually have a deductible that equals 10% of the coverage (entire replacement cost). So, if you have a $400,000 home in SoCal, you eat the first $40,000. Nice, huh?

Always keep in mind what my ins. agent friend says: "Insurance companies are in the PREMIUM-COLLECTING business, NOT the claim-paying business".

That's why a certain percentage of EQ-damaged homes happen to 'die' of fire damage.

Sue

The noticeable earthquake deductible is one reason that keeping a healthy, growing savings account may be fairly rational behavior. Another is that money is fairly versatile and is applicable to a good many adverse situations.

Example: Which is more likely next year - I will suffer a disastrous earthquake, or my daughter's college tuition will increase by a significant amount? ( this is not at all a hypothetical situation). On the short term, I am likely to bet on the tuition increase.

Also, remember that a good many measures that will improve earthquake survival do not necessarily coast a great deal.

I live in an HOA, and under California law, only the association can buy earthquake insurance, since it insures the structures. Our neighbors have voted not to buy insurance because of the cost. Grrrrr.