Sunday, February 22, 2009

Earthquake Renters Insurance: What It covers

By Chimezirim Odimba

Homeowners, condo and renters insurance policies do not cover damage caused by an earthquake. You can obtain coverage however, if you buy an earthquake rider on a separate plan.

The cost of earthquake insurance varies from state to state. Californians buy the most earthquake insurance, but earthquake insurance has been sold to residents of all 50 states.

Apprehensive insurance companies are limiting earthquake insurance coverage to those that are more likely to be affected by one. Any damage or repairs that are a result of an earthquake should be covered by your earthquake insurance policy.

Earthquake insurance rates are determined differently by each insurance company and can vary widely depending on several factors. It is more expensive to insure houses that are older.

Because houses that are made from wood are better able to withstand quake stresses than brick homes can, wood homes get lower rates. The type of home, how old it is, the type of soil that it is built on, and how close it is to any known fault lines are the four considerations used to calculate your insurance payments.

Earthquake insurance rates are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 examining each region for the possibility of a quake. Because earthquake insurance is a type of catastrophic coverage, most policies carry high deductibles. The US government does not give earthquake coverage as they execute with flood insurance.

Mudslides and landslides are generally covered by earthquake insurance, the cracking, shrinking or buckling of terrain may be covered as well. Before buying, compare earthquake insurance quotes from at least three separate insurance companies. Determine which company offers the best deal, contact a representative and purchase your insurance. - 15224

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