04/11/2024
After the earthquake that New Jersey experienced last week, there is some risk of additional aftershocks or even a larger earthquake as long as a week after an initial earthquake. Additionally, some people may now be identifying property damage that was not initially apparent.
With that reality in mind, the following are a few general reminders regarding earthquakes and your property:
• Know what to do if an aftershock or additional quake hits. If you are indoors, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you are outdoors, get away as much as possible from buildings, power lines, trees, or anything that could fall on you. If you are driving, move out of traffic, stop carefully, and avoid being under power lines, light posts, or underpasses. Stay in your vehicle.
• Look for signs of property damage. These include certain types of cracks on walls, floors, foundations, or ceilings; doors and windows that no longer close or open properly; leaning or bulging walls, cracks or shifts in chimney structures, which could collapse; gaps between walls and the foundation or visible sinking of the building; misaligned roof lines, cracks, or leaks. Additionally, if you hear hissing and/or smell gas, you could have broken gas lines.
• Know what your policy covers. Even if you haven’t sustained damage, these events reinforce the importance of knowing what is and isn’t covered within your current portfolio. I encourage you to review your current policies or feel free to reach out to me to talk through your coverage. Keep in mind that most standard homeowners and commercial property policies do not cover earthquake-related damage; earthquake insurance is necessary in such cases.
With that said, if you have any questions about damage, concerns about your current coverage, or interest in exploring earthquake insurance, please contact us.
