Earthquake fears spark advice from IBC
The IBC have issued advice in the event of an earthquake, following yesterday’s Tsuanami warning for the coast of BC, which was later cancelled.
The warning came after a powerful earthquake struck about 250km southeast of Chiniak, Alaska.
IBC reached out to residents to stress the urgency of preparing your home and aligning your insurance policies.
"Preparing Canada for an earthquake is a priority for Canada's property and casualty insurance industry. But we cannot do it alone," said Craig Stewart, Vice President, Federal Affairs, IBC.
"The private sector, governments, communities, and all Canadians must work together to make sure we are prepared for an earthquake."
Standard home insurance policies do not cover damage caused in the event of an earthquake, and so it might be useful to speak with your provider about add-ons.
The popularity of earthquake across BC is on the rise, however most add-on policies do not include cover against any type of flooding- including tsunami.
There is already a 30% chance of an earthquake striking southwest BC in the next 50 years- including Victoria and Vancouver.
While the last earthquake in BC measuring 9.0 on the Richter hasn’t happened since the year 1700, there is always the chance on could come again.
This is because Vancouver sits near the edge of two of the Earth’s tectonic plates: the massive North American plate, and the slightly smaller Juan de Fuca Plate.
However, although this mind-blowingly dangerous earthquake is predicted, lots of smaller still potentially damaging earthquakes can happen in the Strait of Georgia, or deep under the Coast Mountains.
In fact, on average there is a minor earthquake in lower mainland almost every day.
So, for home residents, it is certainly better to be safe than sorry, just in case you every do feel an unexpected rumble beneath your feet.