Georgia Earthquake Insurance
Find the right earthquake insurance policy for you.
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Steve is a financial services expert who has dedicated himself to the insurance industry for the last 5+ years. Steve is a key contributor to TrustedChoice.com.
Many Americans associate earthquakes with the West Coast. While earthquakes in Georgia are rare, the state does experience occasional quakes which could be a concern to homeowners. In fact, as recently as 2013, an earthquake near the Georgia-Tennessee border rattled some north Georgia residents out of bed. Are you certain that you have adequate Georgia earthquake insurance to protect your home, business, or personal property if a quake causes wide-spread destruction?
An independent insurance agent in the Trusted Choice® network can help you make sure you are properly shielded from the financial loss that these disasters can bring. Agents can help you review your existing coverage and provide you with a variety of Georgia earthquake insurance quotes. Contact an agent near you for more information.
- Northwest: Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Murray, Pickens, Rabun, Towns, Union, Walker and Whitfield
- South: Burke, Chatham, Columbia, Effingham, Elbert, Lincoln, Richmond and Screven
- Central: Baldwin, Bibb, Butts, Greene, Hancock, Harris, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Muscogee, Newton, Putnam, Twiggs, and Walton
Earthquakes in this state generally do very little damage. However, a large quake, such as the one that caused destruction in Savannah in 1886, could potentially lead to very extensive and costly damages to homes.
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What Is Georgia Earthquake Insurance?
Some homeowners insurance policies have exclusions for damages caused by earthquakes. In this case, an additional endorsement, or rider, for earthquake coverage can be purchased separately. This is more likely to be the case if your home is located near a fault line. If your policy does not include earthquake coverage and you fail to purchase the endorsement, you could find yourself responsible for major out-of-pocket costs if your home is seriously damaged by an earthquake.
A Trusted Choice member agent can review your current homeowners insurance policy to ensure that you have this very important coverage. Your agent may be able to find you a different home policy that includes earthquake coverage at a lower price than you would pay to add the rider to your current policy. Whenever you are making additions or changes to your insurance policy, it is a good idea to shop around to find the best rates.
Why Are Georgia Residents at Risk?
While earthquakes can be felt anywhere in this state, residents in the Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) in northwestern Georgia have experienced the most earthquakes in recent years. This zone is the most active earthquake zone in the Southeastern United States. It extends from northeastern Alabama to southwestern Virginia.
Additionally, the New Madrid Fault line is a 150-miles long, extending southwest from New Madrid, Missouri through five states. It was responsible for four major 8.0 magnitude earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. Though this fault line does not extend into Georgia, aftershocks from quakes on this fault line could potentially damage homes here.
While chances are good that any earthquakes in Georgia will be mild ones, the potential for expensive destruction should not be discounted. Having a Georgia earthquake insurance rider included with your homeowners insurance policy may be a wise investment.
Tips for Staying Safe in an Earthquake
- If you are indoors, do not attempt to go outside. Instead, drop to the ground and take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture
- Do not go outside until the shaking has completely stopped; there could be aftershocks and tremors
- Do not use elevators even after the shaking stops as they may not be safe
- During the quake, stay away from windows, exterior doors, and any furniture or light fixtures that may potentially come loose or fall
- If you are outdoors when the quake strikes, move away from buildings, poles, streetlights and utility wires and drop to the ground until the shaking completely stops
- If you are driving a vehicle when the shaking starts, pull over and wait it out in a location that is not under or near trees, buildings, overpasses or utility wires
- After the quake, when possible, avoid driving on bridges or ramps as they may have been damaged or destabilized during the quake.
Is Georgia Earthquake Insurance Expensive?
The cost of your policy will depend on a few factors, including the amount of coverage you purchase and the materials used to build your home. Homes made of wood have more flexibility and are therefore better equipped to withstand the tremors of an earthquake than are homes made of brick. You can expect an earthquake insurance policy to cost you as little as $10 month.
Be aware that while most earthquake insurance policies offer coverage, they often come with a high deductible. These policies are designed specifically to protect homeowners from suffering a catastrophic loss if their home is completely destroyed by an earthquake.
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Learn More About Earthquake Insurance
Comparing earthquake insurance policies can be easy with the help of an agent in the Trusted Choice network. As a member of your community, your local member agent understands risks faced by homeowners in your neighborhood. All agents in the Trusted Choice network have signed a pledge to provide ethical guidance and exceptional service, so you can rest assured that your agent has your best interests at heart.
A local member agent can find you affordable earthquake insurance that meets your coverage and budgetary needs. Contact an agent in your neighborhood today to learn more and to start comparing Georgia earthquake insurance quotes.