On Anniversary of Northridge Quake, IINC Urges Consumers to Prepare Home & Finances

Deep freezes, severe fires, high winds and heavy rains have brought havoc to much of California this past year. While earthquakes may be missing from this recent mix, they should never be out of the Californians’ thoughts.
“It’s been 14 years since the Northridge quake and nearly two decades since Loma Prieta,” said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. “Homeowners often have short memories when it comes to disaster preparation, but California’s quake history shows that this is a dangerous mistake.”

As memories of these catastrophes fade, IINC recommends that homeowners take the following steps to prepare for the next temblor:

• Prepare your finances. Homeowner and renter insurance do not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is available from the California Earthquake Authority and private insurers. About 88 percent of California homeowners currently forego earthquake insurance.

• Prepare your home. Consider bolting the house to its foundation and strapping the water heater and other large appliances and bookshelves to the walls. Use museum wax to hold smaller, fragile items securely on shelves.

• Create and practice a family evacuation plan. Be sure to include alternatives in case an earthquake occur during work or school hours.

• Build an emergency kit. Include first aid supplies, food, water, additional clothing, a portable radio, flashlight and cash.

• Create a “grab-n-go” box. This should contain financial documents including banking and insurance information.

• Make an emergency contact card. IINC’s Insurance-411 program helps consumers build a wallet-sized insurance information and contact card.

IINC is a non-profit, non-lobbying insurance communications association. For more information on this and other issues, please visit the IINC Web site at www.iinc.org.