According to Natural Resources Canada, about 450 earthquakes occur in eastern Canada every year. Most of them, of course are minor and do not cause any damage. Seismic activity could take place where we live, however. If it did, would you know what to do? Would your Home insurance cover any damage you might experience? Assurances Groupe Vezina is ready to shed some light on the matter.
What are the risks of an earthquake in Quebec?
Although scientists are not yet able to predict earthquakes, scientific observations have identified the more active seismic zones. Quebec is among the provinces most likely to experience seismic activity, particularly in the Charlevoix-Kamouraska region, in western Quebec (from Montreal to Temiscaming, as well as the Laurentians) and in the lower St. Lawrence-Quebec north shore region.
What to do if an earthquake occurs
To ensure that citizens know what to do in the event of an earthquake, the Association de sécurité civile du Québec (ASCQ) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) organize an annual event known as La Grande Secousse (Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills) to ensure that everyone knows how to protect themselves during an earthquake (find out more at www.shakeout.org). There are three simple things you can do to survive an earthquake:
- Drop to the ground, to avoid the risk of falling.
- Take cover under a table or solid piece of furniture. If there is no solid shelter close by, drop to the ground and stay away from windows and unstable objects. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Hold on tight to the table or piece of furniture sheltering you until the shaking subsides.
What does Home insurance cover in the event of an earthquake?
Two types of damage are likely to occur as a result of an earthquake, which is not generally covered under the basic home insurance contract:
- Damage from fire, explosion or smoke after the earthquake
- Damage resulting from the earthquake itself
If you would like to be covered for losses of this type, ask us about adding an endorsement to your insurance policy.
