Earthquake Damage Home Texas | Earthquake Insurance | Hettler Insurance Agency, Lubbock Texas

What Texans Need To Know

Earthquake Insurance in Texas

What are the two most important things to know about earthquake insurance?
1. Most home insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage.
2. Even if you don’t live in an area where earthquakes are common, you may still need earthquake insurance.

Earthquakes have occurred in 39 states since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. For many of our neighbors in Texas, earthquake insurance can be fairly cheap – contact Hettler Insurance Agency to find out what the costs would be for your home.

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Dallas Texas Downtown | Earthquake Insurance | Hettler Insurance Agency, Lubbock Texas

Earthquake Insurance Can Have Many Options

Most homeowner, condo, and rental insurance policies do not cover damage caused by an earthquake, but coverage can be purchased as an endorsement or a separate policy. You may be able to choose to purchase earthquake insurance from the same company that provides your home insurance, from a specialized earthquake insurance provider, or from an independent organization such as the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

Dallas Texas Downtown | Earthquake Insurance | Hettler Insurance Agency, Lubbock Texas
In all likelihood, most of the US would be better protected by purchasing earthquake insurance. Consider the facts:

  • In the West: According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there is a 70 percent probability that one or more damaging earthquakes of magnitude 6.7 or larger will strike the San Francisco Bay area during the next 30 years.
  • In the East: The Earthquake Education Center at Charleston Southern University claims there’s a 40 to 60 percent chance of a major earthquake somewhere in the eastern United States in the next 20 years.
  • In the Midwest: According to the Insurance Information Institute, there’s a 40 to 63 percent chance the New Madrid Fault (which runs through Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee) region will suffer an earthquake with a 6.0 magnitude in the next 15 years.
Earthquake insurance provides coverage if your home is damaged by an earthquake. Standard homeowner and renters policies will not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is a separate endorsement you must buy and add to your homeowner or renters policy.

An earthquake endorsement generally excludes damages or losses from floods and tidal waves – even when caused or compounded by an earthquake. However, if you experience a loss due to a landslide, settlement, mudflow, or the rising, sinking and contracting of earth, your endorsement may cover it if the damage resulted from an earthquake.

There are several options to consider when purchasing earthquake insurance, including: 1. Does the policy cover only your home? Are other structures, such as garages, also included?; 2. Will your policy pay for the contents of your home and for additional living expenses if your home is badly damaged or destroyed?; 3. Are there any exclusions or limitations to coverage?; 4. What deductible must you pay before the insurance kicks in?

— Check that bookcases and furniture are secure and fastened to walls.
— Have a family emergency plan that all family members know. Designate a meeting place outside the home where family members can gather once the danger has passed.
— Designate a distant relative or friend who can serve as a point of contact and communication for you and your family members if you get separated.
— Plan ahead. Keep flashlights, batteries, and candles on hand. Have a portable radio.
— Be sure everyone in your house knows how to turn off utilities (electricity, water, and gas).
— When shopping for earthquake insurance, ask the company to help you identify possible repairs and other improvements that will make your home safer and minimize damage.
— Make sure your water heater, gas appliances, and other fixtures are fastened securely.
— If you are inside when an earthquake hits, stay inside and get under a heavy table or desk. Stay away from windows. Do not evacuate the building unless emergency personnel direct you to leave.
— If you are outside, get away from buildings and power lines, and remember that stone and masonry facings can break loose and fall away from upper parts of buildings.
— If you are in a car, stop safely away from structures, large trees, power lines, and other hazards. Stay inside the vehicle.
— Don’t use candles until gas lines are checked. Also, check throughout your home before you use certain utilities, such as water and electric, sewage connections, and even chimneys.
— Don’t tie up phone lines except to report emergencies.
— Be prepared. Remember that you will need food and water, even for the short term. Keep your family together and stay alert for aftershocks.

Choose Your Insurance Type!

Vehicle Insurance

Insurance protection for the vehicles that matter most to you.

Auto Insurance – We insure thousands of cars, trucks, vans, and commercial vehicles used in all types of businesses.
Motorcycle Insurance – Start your Motorcycle riding experience with insurance through Hettler.
ATV and Motorsport Insurance – Does it have a key? Is it a dirt bike? We have a program to cover it.
Classic Car Insurance – Classics and antique vehicles require special coverages. We represent a couple of different carriers to cover them.
RV and Mobile Home Insurance – Big values traveling down the road? No problem. We handle the big risks all the time.
Boat and Watercraft Insurance – We cover boats of all sizes.

Property Insurance

Insurance protection for the property that matters most to you.

Homeowners Insurance – Your home is your castle. Protect your most valuable asset with quality coverage.
Condo Insurance – Condos are a little different. Call us to get your specialized coverage!
Renters Insurance – Fires in apartments and rental homes are way too common. Renter’s coverage is really reasonably priced.
Landlord Protection ™ – Renting your home? Protect yourself with landlord insurance.
Flood Insurance – You have to have a separate policy to cover flood… It can happen even here in the desert.
Storm & Hail Insurance – Texas has had thirty-six $100,000,000 or larger disasters from severe storms in the past 25 years and more than 80% of the time, hail was to blame for the damage.
Earthquake Insurance – Earthquakes have occurred in 39 states since 1900, and about 90% of Americans live in areas considered seismically active. Most home insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage. Good news, earthquake insurance can be inexpensive.

Commercial & Business Insurance

Coverage that helps protect your business

Business Owners Policy (BOP) – Lubbock County is in the top 10 for commercial property damage due to wind, hail and dust storms; and the top 10 for commercial auto comprehensive claims due to weather; and the top 10 for lightning storm damage.
General Liability Insurance (GL) – Insurance coverage for when you or your products hurt someone or damage property.
Commercial Property Insurance – Coverage against Fire, Wind, Hail, and many other perils.
Business Auto Insurance – Cover your business with insurance for commercial and business vehicles.
Commercial Liability Insurance – also known as “general liability insurance” is a broad policy that covers a number of liability exposures of a business. Business liability insurance is often the first line of defense against lawsuits from customers, allowing an owner to protect both personal and business assets.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance – Insurance coverage that gives an extra layer of liability protection from the rising costs of lawsuits.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance (workers comp) – Medical bills and lost income Insurance coverage that helps you take care of injured employees.
Cyber Security Insurance – In an era of leaked embarrassing online photos, confidential emails and digitally internet connected employees and customers, it’s no wonder businesses (of all sizes) are rushing to cover themselves with cyber liability insurance.
Surety Bonds – Get your notary bond, your contractor’s bond, your bid bond, or your performance bond from Hettler Insurance Agency.
Contractor’s Insurance – Many contractors operate out of the home and may not require commercial property insurance. Instead, contractors typically perform work at the customer’s location. This can be a residential home, a construction site or a commercial property.
Builder’s Insurance – With a good Builder’s Risk policy, the structure, materials and equipment are protected from theft, vandalism and weather damage during the construction phase.

Life/Health Insurance

Insurance protection for your family’s health.

Health Insurance – Insurance for you, your family, and your pocketbook. Uncovered medical costs can bankrupt you.
Personal Umbrella Insurance – An umbrella policy provides additional layers of liability protection. If the liability limits are exhausted on your home, auto, or other underlying insurance policy, your umbrella insurance policy takes over and provides you with additional protection. You may need this in case of a car wreck involving a fatality, etc. For a minimal cost, you can protect your assets, and your future earnings.
Whole Life Insurance – Life insurance coverage designed to be there for your whole life.
Term Life Insurance – Insurance protection to help keep your family secure for a specific period of time.