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.