Poll: Californians afraid of earthquakes

Californians fear earthquakes more than any other natural disaster, a new poll shows.

Fifty-seven percent of California voters polled by Field Research Corp. cite earthquakes as the greatest threat from nature. The No. 2 choice was wildfires (23 percent).

Also, 56 percent of Californians questioned in the Field Poll think a major earthquake is likely to occur where they live in the next 10 years. That’s up from 40 percent who felt the same way in a 2006 poll.

Behind earthquakes and wildfires among the most feared natural disasters in California were tsunamis or tidal waves (9 percent) and floods and mudslides (5 percent).

In a 2006 Field survey, 59 percent of California voters indicated they feared earthquakes, followed by 18 percent for wildfires, 7 percent for tsunamis or tidal waves, and 9 percent for floods and mudslides.

California is the No. 2 state for quake activity, behind Alaska, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Only about 10 percent of Californians carry earthquake insurance. In the Golden State, the bulk of earthquake insurance policies are sold by the California Earthquake Authority. An annual premium for earthquake insurance in California runs roughly $800; that’s on top of the premium for traditional home insurance.

Standard home insurance policies do not cover quake damage. “Coverage is available either in the form of an endorsement or as a separate policy,” the Insurance Information Institute says.

Deductibles for earthquake insurance can range from 2 percent to 20 percent of a home’s replacement value, according to the institute. This means that if it costs $200,000 to rebuild a home and the policy has a 2 percent deductible, the policyholder would be responsible for paying the first $4,000.