Canadian Earthquake – How Ready Are You?
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010Did you feel the earthquake that hit south eastern Ontario and parts of Quebec on June 23, 2010 at 1:41 pm EST?
Luckily, the magnitude was only 5.0 according to the US Geological Survey, and no hefty damage was documented. The centre of the earthquake was 61 km north of Ottawa.
As stories came in, many individuals spoke of a gradual rumbling which increased in intensity, a bit like building work going off below or around you. One person even experienced it as high as the ninth floor of her office building. The rumbling sensation may have been minor, but Lorne definitely felt the earthquake.
The quake puts in your thoughts just how susceptible we are in Canada to natural disaster, even though one of this size only occurs once a decade. It certainly makes me wonder what I can do to look after myself and my family should another disaster happen.
Along with the usual emergency readiness, part of your preparation should include life insurance.
Earthquakes are among the most expensive natural disasters, together with floods and windstorms. Earthquakes answered for 30% of all damage by natural disasters from 1950-2001. Even though the human cost of earthquakes is only 9% compared to the 42% occurring due to famine, famine only accounts for 4% of the damage which is tiny in contrast to earthquakes.
The facts and figures make troubled reading, people hit by natural disasters in the 80′s was 147 million, which jumped by another 64 million in the 90′s, with lives lost going from over 86000 down to 75252 per year in the same periods.
When looking at natural disasters today to the 1960′s we see that there are 3 times the amount taking place and the financial impact has increased dramatically as well.
Therefore with this large climb in disasters individuals are now turning to ways of protecting our families in such events.
The five main Canadian insurance companies we surveyed do provide death benefits for you and your family if such disasters happen, but you need to check the policy carefully if you choose not to use them and go elsewhere. There are exclusions though, these will include natural disaster taking place in locations such as war zones or any area that travel is not recommended.
Prepared by Lorne S. Marr, the founder of LSM Insurance and mortgage life insurance expert