California Earthquake Authority: Getting prepared for a disaster

Experts believe that the Northern California area is one of the most seismically active areas of the state. The overall probability of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake striking the Greater Bay Area in the next 30 years is 63 percent. Unfortunately, most residents are not prepared to protect their families, homes and finances. Preparing now will help you survive and recover and get back to normal after the next damaging earthquake.

Government assistance may or may not be available to assist individuals who have property damaged by earthquakes. However, California residents should know that these programs come with many limitations, and that government assistance is not always available.

The California Earthquake Authority's (CEA) new alliance with the American Red Cross can help you take simple steps to be ready when the time comes - We're in this together, Northern California, so get prepared! Here are the simple steps you can take:

Get a kit
Make a plan
Be informed
Consider earthquake insurance
Practice how to drop, cover and hold on
Secure your home's structure and contents

Get a kit. Keep basic supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. For a list of supplies and more details, go to www.PrepareSoCal.org/tips-tools/get-a-kit. Also check out the Red Cross' Earthquake Safety Checklist.

Make a plan. Identify out-of-area emergency contacts. Decide where to reunite with loved ones after a disaster in case phone lines are down. Write your plan on an emergency contact card and store in your phone along with important numbers for emergency resources in your area. For more details, go to www.PrepareSoCal.org/tips-tools/make-a-plan.

Be Informed. Discuss how to prepare and safely respond to emergencies that ar most likely to happen where you live, work and play. Learn how notification systems in your area will work. Learn more by going to www.PrepareSoCal.org/tips-tools/be-informed.

Consider earthquake insurance. Most residential insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage - a separate earthquake policy is required. Without earthquake insurance to help cover the costs of repairs and other expenses that come with catastrophic damage, you will pay out-of-pocket to fix your home, to replace your personal property, and to live and eat elsewhere.

The California Earthquake Authority is a publicly managed, privately funded organization that provides catastrophe residential earthquake insurance and encourages Californians to reduce their risk of earthquake loss.

Why CEA? Five reasons to buy:

If your home is damaged by an earthquake, the CEA can provide you with the strength to rebuild. With nearly $10 billion in claim-paying power, combined with the service expertise provided by its 19 participating insurance companies, the CEA could cover all of its claims if the 1906 San Francisco, 1989 Loma Prieta, or 1994 Northridge earthquake reoccurred today.

Excellent financial ratings. The financial strength of the CEA is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company (a company that rates insurance companies).
Service expertise. After a damaging earthquake, a CEA policy from the insurance agent you already know and trust provides your strength to recover. CEA policies are available exclusively through CEA's participating insurance companies, which handle CEA-policy applications, renewals, billing, and claims. Earthquake insurance from the CEA can help get your life back to normal after the ground stops shaking.
Rates based on science, not profit. By law, CEA rates must be sufficient to allow the CEA to remain financially sound, to pay its covered claims. CEA rates are based on the best available science for assessing earthquake risk and do not include any amount for profit.
Not tied to government budgets. California's budget issues have no impact on the CEA's ability to pay claims, because the CEA, as a privately financed entity, receives no money through the state budget.
Without earthquake insurance, the cost of any damage is your cost. At CEA, policyholders are always the top priority. For claims that exceed your CEA-policy deductible, you needn't spend money out-of-pocket before becoming eligible for payment on your claim.

A CEA insurance policy will give you the financial strength to help get your life back to normal after the ground stops shaking. With nearly $10 billion in claim-paying power, combined with the service expertise provided by its 19 participating insurance companies, the CEA could cover all of its claims if the 1906 San Francisco, 1989 Loma Prieta, or 1994 Northridge earthquake reoccurred today.

For more about CEA earthquake insurance policies and premiums and to see a list of insurance companies that sell CEA earthquake insurance go to www.EarthquakeAuthority.com.

Practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold On.

During an earthquake, know how to drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on to that furniture until after the shaking stops. Learn more by going to www.ShakeOut.org.

Secure your home's structure and contents. Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation. Bolt and brace water heaters, gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sleep or sit. Brace overhead light fixtures. Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets; store heavy items closest to floor.

And be sure to check out the following websites, which are included to help you prepare now so you can survive and recover after the next damaging earthquake.

California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA)
www.CalEMA.ca.gov
Threats and Hazards: Find out about the threats and hazards in your area.

California Earthquake Authority
Get peace of mind no earthquake can shake. Earthquake insurance is more affordable than you think. Contact your agent for a quote or visit:
www.EarthquakeAuthority.com

California Geological Survey
www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs

Earthquake Country Alliance
www.earthquakecountry.info
www.DaretoPrepare.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov

The Great California ShakeOut
Learn what to do during an earthquake and join million of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On during the Great California ShakeOut.
www.ShakeOut.org/California

Totally Unprepared
A website that features videos on how to get prepared, an "Earthquake Safety Checklist", entertaining games and information about earthquake preparedness.
www.TotallyUnprepared.com