Half of all BC homeowners don't have earthquake insurance, reveals Vancouver-based home insurance experts, Square One

VANCOUVER, March 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Should an earthquake occur, many British Columbia homeowners wouldn't be adequately insured for loss, reveals Square One Insurance. In spite of the fact that earthquake insurance is widely available in BC, only 40% to 60% of people add it to their home insurance policies, say the Vancouver-based home insurance experts. The one-year anniversary of Japan's deadly earthquake is an important reminder that earthquakes do in fact happen and that BC is in an earthquake zone.

"Many of the homeowners we spoke with were surprised to learn that if they were to stay with their traditional home insurance policy, they wouldn't be covered in the event of an earthquake," says Daniel Mirkovic, President & CEO, Square One Insurance. "Homeowners often assume that earthquake insurance is automatically included, and while it is with a few insurance companies, there's often an additional charge."

Square One says that while many homeowners know they should get earthquake insurance, they don't and commonly cite the following reasons:

• The government will provide disaster relief to residents.
• Insurance companies won't have enough money to pay in the event of an earthquake.
• Earthquake insurance is too expensive.

"These are common misconceptions," adds Mirkovic. "While earthquake insurance is by no means cheap - in fact, it can account for as much as one-third of a home insurance policy - BC residents have access to better coverage and lower rates in relation to other earthquake-prone areas."

For example, a BC house insured for $300,000 with $210,000 in personal property and $75,000 in additional living expenses would have an annual earthquake premium ranging from $225 to $485. A California house insured for $300,000 with only $100,000 in personal property and $25,000 in additional living expenses would have an annual earthquake premium of about $865.

Square One recommends homeowners and renters ask themselves the following questions to ensure they're adequately covered in the event of an earthquake:

• Is earthquake coverage included in your base policy? Review your current home insurance policy and consult your insurance advisor for confirmation.
• If you do have earthquake coverage, do you have enough coverage for your personal property? For example, in California, the base earthquake policy only provides $5,000 of coverage for personal property. This means that the majority of homeowners wouldn't be able to replace much of their contents.
• If you have earthquake coverage, are you covered for additional living expenses should you be unable to live in your home while it's being repaired? In California, the base earthquake policy only provides $1,500 for additional living expenses. Hotel accommodations can quickly add up, it's important that you have enough coverage to last you until your home is safe to return to.

Always consult your insurance advisor to ensure you have the insurance coverage you require. For additional home insurance tips, visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.

Established in 2011 and based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Square One Insurance provides Canadians living in urban centres with modern, relevant home insurance. Square One is one of the few providers in BC that automatically includes earthquake insurance in all its policies.  It's also one of the few insurance providers in Canada specializing in home insurance and offering truly customized policies that can be purchased over the phone and online. For more information about Square One, visit www.squareoneinsurance.ca.

Kristina Wheeler
Square One Insurance Services Inc.
Tel: [phone] ext 104
Cel: 604.961.5833
[email protected]