New Hampshire Earthquake Insurance
Find the right earthquake insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
Although California is widely known for its earthquakes, New Hampshire is no stranger to the rumblings of the Earth. New Hampshire has experienced earthquakes since colonial times, and several earthquakes have caused significant damage. Because New Hampshire is in the Saint Lawrence Valley seismic zone and the northeastern Massachusetts seismic zone, this state is at a moderately high risk for earthquakes. Some homeowners policies have exclusions for any earthquake-related damage, so it might be necessary to purchase New Hampshire earthquake insurance.
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State Earthquake Facts
- Normally, there are one or two earthquakes per year.
- The earthquakes range in magnitude from 2.0 to 3.5.
- New Hampshire earthquake waves can travel 40 times farther than those in the Western U.S.
- This area is third in the nation for yearly earthquake losses.
The Earthquake of 1940
The worst earthquake ever to hit the state occurred on December 20, 1940. The epicenter of the quake occurred in Ossipee, near the mountain range. The earthquake measured 5.5 on the Richter scale and caused widespread damage to pipes, walls, and furniture. Near the epicenter, plaster fell off buildings, chimneys broke apart and cemetery monuments moved. Four days later, an aftershock of similar proportions hit. While this doesn’t produce scenes of upended rows and houses in tatters, even a small amount of damage to the structure of a home can be expensive.
Do You Need New Hampshire Earthquake Insurance?
It’s a good idea to purchase earthquake insurance. Damage coverage isn’t included in your standard homeowners policy. Many New Hampshire homes and businesses are older models, which means that many aren’t up to the building code that modern construction must adhere to for earthquake protection. Earthquake insurance can help cover damage to the home's structure as well as damage to personal belongings. Just make sure to set the right coverage limits and review your policy extensively. Since your state is in a high-risk area, some carriers may try to impose exclusions that limit your claim benefits. When you work with an agent, you’re working with someone who can interpret the contract for you.
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Affordable New Hampshire Earthquake Insurance Quotes
Since you live in a high-risk area, you may find that insurance premiums are higher than in other areas of the country. Insurance companies must raise prices in this state because the chances of a homeowner's making a claim are higher than average. Don’t let price keep you from purchasing a New Hampshire earthquake insurance policy though. Just let an independent agent in our network gather quotes for you. Your independent agent can get you a variety of competitive quotes and policies to meet your needs.
If you’re ready to get the protection you need, contact an agent right away.