Preparing for the Real Thing
With more than 39 million people living and working in California, a major earthquake could cause unprecedented devastation. What you do now, before a big quake, will determine how well you and your policyholders survive and recover.
One of the key steps you can take is to participate in the worldwide earthquake safety drill called the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, held annually on the third Thursday of October. This year, the ShakeOut will take place on October 18 at 10:18 a.m. At that time, millions of people across California and around the world will be practicing how to drop, cover, and hold on when the ground starts to shake.
With the recent earthquakes in Indonesia and Haiti, Californians are taking notice of the devastation and want to know how to prepare and protect themselves—and their homes—from California earthquakes.
One thing you can do is help your policyholders and potential clients register for and participate in the Great California ShakeOut. This is also a perfect opportunity for you to reach out with some helpful resources, such as:
- Ways Californians can strengthen their houses to help make them more resistant to earthquake damage.
- Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety, which teach how to prepare to survive and recover from the next damaging earthquake.
- Preparedness information for preparing their family and home before an earthquake strikes.
The ShakeOut is also a natural lead-in to helping your policyholders understand the value of a California Earthquake Authority earthquake insurance policy.
Peace of Mind No Earthquake Can Shake
Many Californians mistakenly believe that earthquake damage is covered under their residential insurance policy. As you know, to be covered, they’ll need a separate earthquake policy. Remind them that without coverage, they will be responsible for the full costs of repair or replacement. There is no government guarantee of recovery grants or loans.
As their trusted advisor and a CEA-trained agent:
- Point out their earthquake risk.
- Ask if they have the ability to pay for the full cost of damages.
- Explain how CEA coverage will help financially protect their home and belongings when an earthquake strikes.
- Review CEA's flexible products and affordable deductibles.
We hope you took advantage of the free postage-paid direct mail through our Marketing Value Program (MVP) . But you can still capitalize on the media buzz around the event—including CEA’s increased advertising during this time—to help you sell more CEA policies. And, be sure to participate in MVP now, so that you are prepared to order our postage-paid direct-mail pieces in the future.
Don’t miss out on a golden opportunity to educate your customers about earthquake preparedness and sell more policies at the same time. By helping your policyholders get the CEA policy they need, you are offering peace of mind that comes with being financially prepared to recover from a damaging earthquake.
The Great ShakeOut will help your clients prepare to survive and recover quickly from the next big earthquake. And with your help, they will be able to recover financially as well.