What’s more frightening than a haunted house on Halloween?
A homeowner without insurance. (Shudder), that is scary!
But it’s the haunting truth if you own a home in California, Oregon, or Washington – where the risk of a major earthquake is the highest in the nation.
Most homeowners insurance policies do not provide coverage for earthquake damage. And, no matter where you live in this region, there is an earthquake fault to blame for your risk. Of course, some earthquake faults are well-known, such as the San Andreas, Hayward, and Cascadia Faults.
But there is so much more danger lurking beneath, from hidden faults that cause damaging earthquakes. For example, both Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes were major ruptures on hidden faults!
Helpful Halloween tips for homeowners in earthquake country.
Halloween is one of the most fun nights, but it can quickly become a nightmare if you’re not cautious. So we’ve compiled a list of safety tips to keep you protected and topped it off with a spooky fact about earthquakes in October.
- First, check your insurance.
Yes, this is always the first thing we think about. Especially if you are hosting a haunted house, call your agent and ensure you have proper liability insurance to cover accidents on your property. - Second, check your lighting.
Make sure your paths and entryway are well-lit and free of obstacles. You don’t want to report a claim on your Homeowners policy because someone tripped over a pumpkin. - Third, have a plan for your pets.
For example, place your pets in a crate or back room where they won’t be disturbed or feel threatened by trick-or-treaters. - Fourth, be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold Opens a new window.
If an earthquake occurs on Halloween, you should be prepared to drop your candy, cover your head and hold on!
Don't let your seismic guard down on Halloween.
An earthquake can strike at any time, and the month of October is known to host some well-known earthquakes:
- October 30, 2007 Alum Rock near San Jose (magnitude 5.6) Opens a new window
- October 25, 2022 near San Jose, CA (magnitude 5.1) Opens a new window
- October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta (magnitude 6.9) Opens a new window
- October 1, 1987 Whittier, CA (magnitude 6.1) Opens a new window
With so many major earthquakes occurring in this region in October it is wise to stay prepared.
QuakeInsurance by GeoVera provides top-rated insurance solutions in catastrophe-exposed areas and is the leading provider of residential earthquake insurance. Call us 1 (800) 324-6020 or Get an instant quote now! Opens a new window
