Everything You Need to Know About

Earthquake Insurance in the Pacific Northwest

When most people hear earthquakes, they think about California. But, did you know that the Pacific Northwest has had more than 700 earthquakes in the past year?1 That’s nearly two earthquakes per day! Truth be told, people living in Oregon and Washington should be just as prepared for a potential earthquake as a family living in California.

Thankfully, there is a way to be prepared!

With earthquake insurance, you can guarantee that your property will be protected in the event of an earthquake. And that kind of assurance is priceless.

What is Earthquake Insurance?

Small earthquakes are common in the Pacific Northwest. They can’t typically be felt and generally don’t cause any damage. However, sometimes fault lines can break. And when this happens, chaos can ensue. Large earthquakes are known to cause catastrophic damage to homes, including structural damage and the destruction of personal belongings. Earthquake insurance will cover the cost of all of this and, depending on your policy, even more. Many plans even provide temporary housing in the event that yours is uninhabitable.

How Much Does Earthquake Insurance Cost?

Despite all that it protects, which is a lot, earthquake insurance is actually quite affordable. The national average is approximately $800 per year, but your policy may vary slightly depending on your specific needs and the area in which you live. There are several factors to keep in mind when calculating the cost of your earthquake insurance coverage, including:

Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?

An earthquake can be a devastating event for a home. The foundation is most at risk for damage and collapse. And that can get expensive. This is especially true for those who are living in wood-frame homes, multi-level homes, and older homes. These are most at-risk for suffering severe damage in the event of a high-magnitude earthquake. In fact, particularly strong earthquakes can cost homeowners upwards of $30,000 in repairs.4 And earthquakes strike without warning, giving you no time for preparation. That’s why earthquake insurance is growing more and more popular.

Having this coverage is so helpful for giving you peace of mind. You know your home and assets are protected, no matter what. And that kind of assurance is so valuable.

Earthquake Insurance FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in Portland?

The short answer is yes.

Even if you already have a homeowner’s insurance policy, most, unfortunately, don’t carry earthquake coverage. This means that your home will be protected in most disasters, except earthquakes. And, research tells us that it’s best to be prepared for earthquakes in this area.

The so-called “Big One”, referring to a quake along the entire Cascadia fault line, happens approximately once every 246 years. It’s been more than 300 years since the last rupture, and it happening again could cost the metro region upwards of $80 billion in damage and tens of thousands of lives.2 So in truth, we’re just waiting for the day the earth decides to shift.

Is My Home in an Earthquake-Prone Area?

The Portland/Beaverton region is home to several unique fault lines, including the Canby-Molalla Fault, the Portland Hills Fault, and the Beaverton Fault Zone.3 This means that there is a reasonable risk of your home being damaged by an earthquake at some point in time. Some sources even say the area would even be at risk of “liquefication”, or being washed away by the Columbia River in the event of a quake.

Needless to say, there is definitely some benefit in being prepared for this uncommon natural disaster.

Can You Afford to Repair a Home Emergency?

Hundreds of thousands of people will be left at-risk and vulnerable in the event of a serious natural disaster in the region. Will you be one of them? Atkinson Insurance Group is dedicated to helping you feel safe and secure no matter what happens. We can’t control the unknown. But we can be there for you when it happens.

References / Helpful Links

Recent Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest. (n.d.). Earthquake Track.
When the ‘Big One’ hits, Portland faces mass casualties, widespread destruction: Study. The Oregonian. Williams, K. (2019, Jan 30).
USGS Geologic Science Center. (n.d.). HeaderU.S. Quaternary Faults. USGS.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Earthquake Damage? (n.d.). HomeAdvisor.

Interested in Earthquake Insurance?

Not sure if Earthquake Insurance is worth the additional cost? Complete the short quote request form below and one of our agents will contact you to help you decide!