Do you have earthquake insurance? Many don't

Do you have earthquake coverage on your homeowners policy? Most don't according to Larry White with Larry White Insurance Agency in Flomaton.

White said standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage, but it can be added as additional coverage. He said in the wake of the three recent earthquakes, White said he's had some inquiries and has given quotes but has not added the coverage to any policies.

He said in 1997 when an earthquake occurred in Little Rock he added earthquake coverage to three or four policies, including his own. He noted earthquake and flood insurance are additional coverage and that flood insurance goes through the National Flood Insurance program.

He did say he received more telephone calls Wednesday about earthquake insurance than he received back in 1997.

White said adding earthquake insurance adds about $120 to $200 per year to the policy with a 5 percent deductible.

“Most people around here don't take the coverage, but it's available,” he said.

He also said most insurance companies will write earthquake insurance and he said as of Wednesday none of the companies he writes for has issued a moratorium to stop adding the coverage. He said in the instance of a hurricane, insurance companies will stop issuing homeowner insurance polices once a storm reaches a certain point in the water.

White did say he has not heard of any damage due to the recent three earthquakes.