Many people go without full coverage for their vehicles. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), 42 states experience earthquakes and millions living in those areas lack insurance that would cover damage resulting from these events.

Protecting your car as an asset is important if you want to avoid unnecessary expenses. In addition to practicing proactive care, you should have adequate insurance to cover the value of your vehicle in case of disaster scenarios. There are several things that you could cover, including:

• Accidents
• Theft
• Vandalism
• Animal Collisions
• Weather-related incidents

Not all insurance types will cover things like weather-related incidents. If you live in an area with earthquakes, you’ll want to talk to your insurance agent to make sure your car is covered for damage resulting from tremors and aftershocks.

How To Protect Your Car From Earthquake Damage

Earthquakes are one type of disaster that may cause damage to your car. Such incidents are sometimes called “acts of God” and could include damage resulting from natural causes, such as:

• Hail
• Lightning
• Wind
• Fallen trees and debris
• Flooding

Of course, the best way to protect your car from natural disasters is to proactively shield it from the kinds of damage that are likely to happen in major storms. If you are driving when an earthquake occurs, stay out in the open—away from bridges, overpasses, power lines, signs, trees, and light posts. If you are able to stop in a safe place, stay inside of your vehicle until the tremors stop.

If earthquakes are common in your area, you will want to store your car in a secure place. It’s best to park in a structurally sound garage that is unlikely to collapse during an earthquake and will shield your car from falling trees or utility poles. If you don’t have access to a garage, you can park under a solid structure that will stop falling debris or out in the open in an area away from trees, poles, and towers.

However, while protective measures might reduce the chance of your car being damaged, there is still a risk that disaster will strike at an unexpected time and impact your car.

What Kind of Car Insurance Covers Earthquakes?

When it comes to a catastrophic event, you may wonder, “What’s covered by my car insurance?” Typically, liability and collision coverage won’t pay for damage caused by disasters like earthquakes.

In many cases, comprehensive insurance coverage is optional and designed to cover more than just collision-based accidents. You will need to talk to your agent about getting comprehensive coverage that pays for repairs needed after earthquakes and other natural disasters.

If damage does occur due to an earthquake in your area and you are covered, you can reach out to your agent to discuss filing a claim. Your deductible and the extent of the damage play into whether or not a claim is right for your case. Ultimately, you will want to protect yourself if your vehicle is a valued asset that you can’t afford to replace after a catastrophic event.