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Protecting Yourself and Your Family First, check to be sure that no one in the family is injured. Start first aid immediately if injuries are found. Be prepared for aftershocks which are normal following an earthquake. Stay away from beach areas because of the danger of tsunamis (large seismic sea waves).  Protecting Your Property  Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you smell gas, open the windows and turn off the main gas valve. Do not turn on electric lights or appliances until the gas has dissipated. They can cause sparks that might ignite the gas. If electric wires are shorting out, turn off the power. Clean up flammable liquids inside buildings. Check to see that sewage lines are intact and working before flushing toilets. Check chimneys for cracks or other damage before using them. Notify your insurance agent or company representative as soon as possible. If you have vacated the premises, make sure your representative knows where to contact you. Tak

Earthquake Insurance Basics Standard homeowners and renters insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake coverage is available in the form of a separate policy or an endorsement from most private insurers and, in California, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). A homeowners or renters policy will, however, generally cover losses from fire following a quake. If the fire makes the home unlivable, there may also be coverage for additional living expenses should it be necessary to live away from your home while it is being repaired. Earthquake insurance is, of course, important to have if you live near a fault line. But keep in mind that earthquakes can also have widespread impact, affecting areas far from major fault lines. If your house is at any risk from quake-related shaking, damage to foundations, wall collapses and contents could result and you may want to consider buying an earthquake insurance policy. Cars and other vehicles are covered for earthquake dam

While earthquakes are most commonly associated with California, they have occurred in 39 states over the last 100 years, and have inflicted damage in all 50 states. In fact, each year there are about 5,000 earthquakes. The potential cost of earthquakes has been growing because of increasing urban development in seismically active areas and the vulnerability of older buildings which may not have been built or upgraded to current building codes. Earthquakes are not covered under standard homeowners or business insurance policies. Coverage, however, is available in the form of an endorsement to a home or business insurance policy. In California, homeowners can get coverage from the  California Earthquake Authority (CEA) , a privately funded, publicly managed organization, and about 30 percent of earthquake policies are written by private insurers. Nonetheless, only about 13 percent of homeowners currently buy the coverage.” Earthquake insurance provides protection from the shaking

EARTHQUAKE PROTECTION Earthquakes are a real threat to your home, possessions, and safety. Learn simple ways to improve the security of your home against this disaster. Spokespersons: Jeanne Salvatore, Insurance Information Institute; Harvey Ryland, Institute for Business & Home Safety.