Media Advisory: I.I.I. Available for Insurance-Related Interviews on California’s July 4 Earthquake

For immediate release
Janet Ruiz, Director, Strategic Communication, 707-490-9365 (California), janetr@iii.org
Michael Barry, Head of Media and Public Affairs, 917-923-8245, (New York), michaelb@iii.org  

NEW YORK, NY, July 5, 2019—Reporters covering the aftermath of yesterday’s 6.4-magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter near Ridgecrest, Calif., should contact the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) for insights, analysis and interviews.

Standard condominium, homeowners, mobile home, and renters insurance policies do not cover earthquake-caused property damage. Earthquake coverage for residences is available in the form of a separate policy or an endorsement from most private insurers and, in California, from the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

A standard homeowners insurance policy will, however, generally cover losses from a fire following an earthquake and, if such a fire makes your home unlivable, cover the additional living expenses incurred while you live elsewhere during repairs.

Businesses must also purchase a separate commercial earthquake insurance policy for their properties to be covered for earthquake-caused damage and for any lost income due to a quake.

Cars are covered for earthquake-caused damage under the optional comprehensive part of an auto insurance policy. 

RELATED LINKS:

• Issues Updates: Earthquakes: Risks and Insurance Issues
• Facts and Statistics: Earthquakes and Tsunamis
• Article: Does My U.S. Homeowners Policy Cover Earthquake Damage?

The I.I.I. has a full library of educational videos on its YouTube Channel. Information about I.I.I. mobile apps can be found here.

THE I.I.I. IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNICATIONS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

Insurance Information Institute, 110 William Street, New York, NY 10038; (212) 346-5500; www.iii.org