When you hear the term “Big One,” you may think of California or the Pacific Northwest. But the strongest earthquake in the lower 48 states occurred in the heartland. In 1811 and 1812, a series of quakes hit the New Madrid fault near present-day Memphis, Tennessee. It was estimated at 7.7 on the Richter scale and could be felt in New York City.

According to the United States Geological Survey, New England has a low to moderate earthquake hazard. Most earthquakes in New England have been <5.0 magnitude (Mw), but some significant earthquakes >Mw 5.0 occurred in the last few hundred years.

A 2009 study by the Mid-America Earthquake Center at the University of Illinois showed that a quake of this magnitude now could damage more than 700,000 buildings in eight states. The USGS states that earthquakes affect more than half the US population.

Despite this, only 7% of Americans have earthquake insurance. Sales have gone down in recent years because it can be expensive. Premiums may cost hundreds of dollars, and the coverage has some restrictions that make many people not want to buy it.

When it comes to Earthquake insurance, there are a few things to know. Understanding one’s options and what to expect from the policy is important.

Your Homeowners Insurance Does Not Protection Against Earthquake Damage.

A standard Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by an earthquake. It may, however, cover damage to the home caused by fires following the quake.

Proper Earthquake insurance is available as a rider on your insurance policy to a standard Homeowners policy. In some areas of the country, coverage is provided by private insurers as a separate insurance policy.

Some Earthquake Coverage Have Limitations

Some home insurance policies can be tailored to provide extra protection for items such as detached garages, pools, jewelry, and firearms. Earthquake insurance may not offer coverage for these extra structures and items and may have less coverage for alternate housing if your home needs repairs or rebuilding.

Earthquake Deductibles Tend To Be High

Earthquake insurance can be expensive, particularly in high-risk areas. Its deductibles are higher than a standard Homeowners policy’s, usually ranging from 5 to 15% of the policy limit. For example, a common Homeowners policy deductible is $500, but a 15% deductible on a $200,000 policy limit would be $30,000. In cases of major damage, this is a welcome tradeoff. However, with minor to moderate damage, an Earthquake insurance claim may not be worth it.

How Much Does Earthquake Insurance Cost?

How much is earthquake insurance? It can cost from $800 to $5,000 a year. The deductible is usually 5-20% of the coverage limit.

We have a policy for our condominium in Dorchester. It’s a rider on our HO6 policy and costs $287 a year. The deductible is 5% if there is a loss from an earthquake. The price can change depending on certain factors.

Your Local Independent Agent Can Assist You In Deciding If Earthquake Insurance Is A Good Fit For You.

Earthquake insurance is often recommended for homeowners who live in high-risk areas, like near a fault. A quake can cause severe damage, so the coverage is important. For homeowners in low-to-moderate risk areas, an independent insurance agent can help compare rates and policies from multiple companies to ensure the policy is adequate.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance can help you decide and compare rates and policies from multiple companies. He or she can help you be confident your policy is up to protecting you financially if the Big One does hit close to home. Call us today at 617-298-0655.

Car enthusiasts! We have some important news to share with you today that’s been causing quite a stir in the world of auto insurance. 🤯 Some major car insurance companies like Allstate and State Farm have recently made changes to their policies regarding Kia and Hyundai vehicles, and this news may have left many of you confused and concerned. That’s why we’re here to shed some light on the situation and provide you with valuable insights.

Kia and Hyundai vehicles have unfortunately become targets for theft due to certain vulnerabilities in their manufacturing. Recently, details on how to hotwire these vehicles have spread across social media, making them more susceptible to theft. As a result, car thefts have skyrocketed, prompting insurance giants like Allstate, Progressive, and State Farm to take action. They have decided to limit the number of new policies they write for these specific vehicles.

However, the story doesn’t end there. Both Kia and Hyundai have swiftly responded to this issue by releasing free software fixes to address the hotwiring vulnerability. They strongly urge all owners of their vehicles to check if their car has received the update. The update is easy to access and install, and can help ensure your car’s safety and security.

It’s important to note that these changes don’t necessarily mean that Kia and Hyundai vehicles are unsafe or unreliable. On the contrary, these companies are doing their best to keep their vehicles up-to-date and secure with the latest technology. It’s simply a matter of being proactive and taking the necessary steps to protect your car and your wallet.

We hope this update has provided some clarity on the situation and given you greater peace of mind. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help!”

Vulnerability can pose a challenge when it comes to obtaining coverage from major insurance providers. That’s why our team of dedicated independent agents is here to help. We will work with you to explore the insurance market and find the best coverage plan that meets your needs. We are committed to providing our readers with the most up-to-date information to enable them to make informed decisions about their insurance coverage.

When it comes to protecting your vehicle, knowledge is power. It is essential to stay informed about the latest software updates, as well as to seek expert advice from our team. By doing so, you can ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to protect your vehicle and maintain your peace of mind on the road.

Our team at Vargas & Vargas Insurance is always ready to provide reliable and comprehensive guidance, so you can have the assurance that your vehicle, you home and your life is properly protected.

If you’ve recently purchased a condo, you may be feeling a mixture of emotions. You’re likely thrilled to have your own place, but the idea of adding additional payments and HOA fees to your budget can be daunting. Additionally, you may be unsure how much it will cost to insure your new condo; however,

Vargas & Vargas Insurance has provided thousands of Massachusetts condo owners with the coverage they need.

In this article, we’ll provide an estimate for the cost of condo insurance, discuss the factors that can affect it, give sample premiums from Massachusetts residences, and offer tips on how to reduce the cost.

How much does a MA condo insurance policy cost?

It is not possible to give you an exact figure of what condo insurance would cost without knowing the specifics. However, an approximate range can be given based on average premiums observed. Generally speaking, a condo insurance policy could cost between $300 and $1,000 annually ($25 to $84 per month). To get a more precise evaluation, further details need to be considered.

What affects the cost of MA condo insurance

The range of coverage we gave is not exact since each condo policy differs depending on various factors. The following elements will influence the policy.

Condominium insurance limits

Every kind of insurance has a maximum amount they will pay out in the event of a claim. Each policy typically includes several different limits that apply to each coverage included. For example, condo insurance may have limits on dwelling, personal property, loss of use, loss assessment, medical payments to others, personal liability and personal injury. Generally speaking, policies with higher limits tend to cost more.

What does your master policy cover

The kind of coverage you need for condo insurance depends on if your master policy is walls-in or all-in. An all-in policy will provide protection for anything in the condo that isn’t owned, such as appliances, wiring, plumbing and carpets. It covers all the items that would be taken with you if you moved out.

A walls-in policy does not cover anything inside your walls, even if it belongs to you. This includes drywall, carpeting, flooring, countertops and appliances; it may also exclude plumbing and electrical units.

If the master policy is all-encompassing, usually the HO-6 policy must have enough dwelling coverage to pay for the master policy’s deductible. However, if the master policy only covers external walls, then you need a greater amount of dwelling coverage to cover what’s inside your unit.

The deductible you choose

The level of deductible you choose affects the cost of personal insurance. A deductible is an amount that needs to be paid by the owner of the condominium before an insurance company will pay a claim. Generally, you have a selection of deductibles for home insurance, commonly $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000. The more significant the deductible amount is that you pick, the less expensive your premium will be.

Your Condominium exposure

Insurance companies use a variety of factors to determine your insurance quote. One of the most important elements is the risk assessment, which looks at the likelihood of you making a claim. This assessment takes into account a variety of factors such as your age, driving record, location, and credit rating. The higher the risk, the higher the premium you will be charged. It’s important to note that the insurance company will also consider the type of coverage you are requesting. For example, if you are requesting coverage for a high-value item, this could increase the risk and therefore the premium. The same is true of additional riders or endorsements that you may request. Understanding the risks associated with the coverage you are requesting is key to getting the best quote possible.

Prior claims history

If you have previously had to make a claim on your condo insurance, the insurance company will view you as more of a potential hazard and may increase the cost of premiums accordingly.

The insurance company

The cost of a condo insurance policy can differ significantly depending on the insurance carrier that provides it. We’ve seen examples of price variations ranging from a few hundred dollars in some cases. That is why we emphasize the importance of working with an independent agent who can compare different policies from various carriers to get you an appropriate coverage for the best price.

Other factors that affect the condo insurance price

The location of the condo, the location of the condo can affect the cost of insurance due to the varying levels of risk associated with different areas. For example, a condo located in an area prone to flooding or other natural disasters may cost more to insure than one located in a lower risk area.

The age ,the age of the condo can also be a factor, as older structures may require more coverage than newer ones

The size, the size of the condo can affect the cost of insurance, as larger condos may require more coverage than smaller condos. and the materials it is made out of.

The materials, the materials the condo is made out of can have an effect on the cost of insurance, as certain materials may be more expensive to insure than others.

Vargas & Vargas Insurance is committed to providing assistance and support to families and individuals for more than four decades. Our staff are available to answer any queries you may have, so don’t hesitate to reach out today by dialing 617-298-0655.