Consider purchasing earthquake insurance

This week marks the 12-year anniversary of the Nisqually Earthquake that measured 6.8 on the Richter Scale and shook the Puget Sound area, and is a grim reminder to residents that the time to prepare for a disaster is now, starting with understanding your insurance needs.

Earthquake damage is not covered under most standard homeowners, renters or business owners insurance policies. To protect your family and business, the NW Insurance Council offers tips on how to prepare for an earthquake and encourages homeowners and business owners to consider earthquake insurance.

"The Washington and Oregon coasts and the Puget Sound region are veined with unstable seismic fault lines that can spell disaster for homeowners and businesses," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. “In spite of this reality, only an estimated 10 to 14 percent of homeowners are choosing to purchase earthquake insurance.”

Following the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001, more than 9,500 insurance claims were filed, and insurance companies paid more than $315 million to business owners and consumers to help them repair the damage.

Earthquake insurance is available as a separate policy or as an endorsement to a homeowners policy.

For more information on how to protect yourself and property from an earthquake, tsunami or other disasters, visit GetReadyNW.org.