Post 27 Earthquake Preparedness - Insurance - Are you covered?

Answering your Earthquake Preparedness Questions

The time to prepare is NOW – once the Earthquake STRIKES it will be too late.  Your family is counting on you! 

By Jackie Kloosterboer – Speaker, Trainer, 

Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide 

An arm in the back of the Earthquake Preparedness Workshop I was conducting shot up.  The young woman slowly stands up – for 8 years I have had tenant’s insurance and have never had to use it – why should I bother having insurance - I could spend that money on my family.

My heart sinks……  Responding to upwards of 20 house and apartment fires each year in Vancouver, I far too often hear from the people displaced "Why did I cancel my insurance?"  I had it for years and never needed it and now I do need insurance and I don’t have it. What will me and family do – where will we go?

My heart now breaks as I watch family’s survey the damage to their homes after a fire.  Their first thought is always their “things.”  They realize their clothes are smoke damaged beyond repair, the contents of their home are not salvageable and then the reality sets in  and they realize they have nowhere to go.  Family and friends can help for a few days then what will happen to them- where will they go until they can return home in a few weeks or in some cases several months?

Now - imagine you are home and there has been a fire in your home.  You and your family grab your Grab and Go Kits containing the basic items you will need and you get outside to safety. 

Standing outside, you reach into your Grab and go Kit and get the copy of your insurance policy you have tucked away.  A quick call to your insurance provider and they advise you to check into a hotel, save your receipts and they will get the ball rolling on what can be done to look after you, your family and your home. 

A restoration company will be dispatched to start on the daunting task of getting your home back to 

4 items to keep in mind regarding your home insurance

1.        Make sure you know what is covered in your policy. I am not an insurance expert and from my experience people often have no idea what their insurance will cover or not cover.  Check with your insurance company and make sure you understand what is covered in your insurance policy.

2.        If you live in a Strata you MUST get homeowners insurance.  Your strata should have insurance for the building which you help pay for in your monthly strata fees but this DOES NOT cover the contents in your unit. Check with your strata and insurance company if you have questions.

3.        Make sure your insurance automatically renews each year.  I recently was assisting a family following a fire and they had forgotten to renew their home insurance. This caused many problems which could have been easily avoided if the insurance policy was in good standing.  Put the expiry date on your calendar as a reminder to renew.

4.        If you live in a area that can be impacted by Flooding – check with your insurance company to see what is covered and not covered.  Each policy is different and there are conditions you need to be aware of living in a flood zone.

The Million Dollar Question – do I need Earthquake Insurance to protect my family and home? A great question to ask your Insurance Company and they can explain how the process works. I have earthquake insurance and I take comfort in knowing that. After talking to my insurance company, I felt in my situation it was the right thing to do.  

Your takeaway from this post - reach out to your Insurance Company and get those insurance questions answered.  They are the experts and they can help you determine what your family needs to be covered for whatever disaster comes your way.  If you don't have insurance call an insurance company and get your policy in place. Once the fire, flood or earthquake has impacted you and your family, it will be too late!

Have questions – don’t hesitate to ask. Until next time – Stay safe and make sure you, your family and pets are prepared for earthquakes or any disaster that may come your way.

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As Always BE PREPARED - NOT SCARED!

Jackie Kloosterboer - BIO

Jackie Kloosterboer has been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more than 100 Earthquake Preparedness workshops each year to a variety of groups and businesses. She is often interviewed by media outlets across Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.

As an Emergency Preparedness Specialist and an Instructor with the Justice Institute of BC Jackie travels across Canada teaching people how to respond to disasters to help those who have been displaced. Throughout British Columbia Jackie has taken on leadership roles assisting those who have been impacted by disaster.

Contact Jackie to speak at your next group or business event to help you, your family, your staff and pets get prepared for earthquakes or whatever disaster comes your way. Jackie will lead you through the necessary steps helping you identify what is important to you and your family or business.  

To reach Jackie with any questions or to book her for your next event contact her at jackie@survive-it.ca or call (604) 355-2414.

Jackie is available for:

• Earthquake Preparedness Workshops
• Preparedness Plans
• In-Home Walk-Throughs
• Preparedness Kits
• Media Interviews