Damaged buildings from earthquake

How to Prepare for an Earthquake in B.C.

If you live in British Columbia, you might be wondering when the next big earthquake will hit. While there’s no definite answer, the province is at higher risk for a big one because of its location. To help you prepare for an earthquake in B.C., we’ve put together a list of things you and your family can do for earthquake preparedness.

 

Practice Earthquake Drills

You probably remember practicing earthquake drills when you were in school. The buzzer would go off and you’d drop under your desk, cover your head, and hold on. Schools practice these earthquake drills for a reason – and it’s a good idea to continue doing them. Whether you’re at home, work, or school, you should plan and practice earthquake drills with your family, colleagues and classmates. Figure out safe spaces to drop and find cover, including tables or desks. Always position yourself away from windows, cover your head with one hand, and hold onto the furniture with your other hand.

 

empty classroom with desks and blue chairs

Plan a Meeting Place

You never know where you and your family could be when an earthquake hits B.C. So that’s why it’s more important than ever to plan a meeting place for earthquake preparedness. Vancouver is home to 23 disaster support hubs, where people can meet up and gather if there’s an earthquake in B.C. Here, you’ll find community support, food, and shelter when you need it most. If your city doesn’t have a disaster support hub, consider meeting at a local community centre, school, or church. Just make sure everyone in your family knows and remembers your earthquake meeting place. 

 

Prepare Your Home for an Earthquake

Whether you live in a house or condo, there are various things you can do to prepare your home for an earthquake:

  • Fasten large furniture like dressers, bookcases, and TVs to the wall.
  • Secure your water heater to the floor using bolts.
  • Install shatterproof film over windows and glass doors to protect you from broken glass during an earthquake.
  • Assess your house’s structure for weaknesses and damage, and fix any cracks or structural issues.
  • Keep an earthquake survival kit for each family member in an easy-to-reach area of your home.

 

people wandering in public space

 

Get the Right Earthquake Insurance

The damage from an earthquake can be devastating. So, to protect you financially, earthquake insurance is a must-have. But, did you know that your home insurance policy has a minimum earthquake deductible? This number can be 10 or even 20% of your home’s value – making your deductible too high to comfortably pay out of pocket. To save you from paying an exorbitant earthquake deductible, there’s earthquake deductible buy-down insurance.

With earthquake deductible buy-down insurance, you can lower your earthquake deductible to a manageable amount and have peace of mind if an earthquake strikes B.C. Available for single-family homes, rental homes, and duplexes, earthquake deductible buy-down insurance reduces your deductible to $2,500 – far less than the potential tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars you’d be paying through your regular home insurance policy. And if you’re a condo owner, you can reduce your earthquake deductible down to $1,000. With affordable premiums, earthquake deductible buy-down insurance is a smart choice for earthquake preparedness.

 

living room with sectional couch and large window

 

Considering earthquake deductible buy-down insurance for your home? Get in touch with a Johnston Meier insurance specialist, and we’ll be happy to answer your questions and set you up with the right earthquake insurance. 

© Johnston Meier Insurance Agencies Group 2024