Although strong earthquakes are infrequent in Canada, earthquakes still should be part of your emergency planning because of their unpredictability and potential destructiveness. This guide to earthquake preparedness has resources to help your businesses prepare for, survive and recover from an earthquake.

Review your policies and coverages

If your business is in an area at risk of an earthquake, review your policies with your Gallagher broker so you understand what your current policy covers and can secure more coverage if needed. To summarize your policy details, use the Policy and Claim Reporting Information Directory.

Prepare for an earthquake

While disasters such as floods and wildfires are more prevalent in Canada than earthquakes are, it's still important to include them in your disaster planning because they can cause injury, death and property damage.

In addition to following the basic steps below for preparing for any disaster, use the Earthquake Preparedness Checklist to plan earthquake-specific preparations and staff training.

Make sure your phone can receive emergency alerts

The National Public Alerting System sends geo-targeted emergency alerts. To make sure your mobile phone can receive them, test your phone's compatibility at Alert Ready.

Know what to do during and after an earthquake

Protecting your people during an earthquake

When an earthquake begins, you won't have much time to react. No matter where you are when the earthquake starts, your goal is to protect yourself and your staff from falling objects.

  • Don't run outside.
  • If possible, move to an interior room or hallway with no windows. Help staff with special needs or disabilities to get to the safest area possible.
  • Drop to the ground, find cover under a sturdy object such as a table or desk, and hang onto the object. If no cover is available, crouch and cover your head with your arms.
  • Pull off the road as far as possible and stop in an open area away from overpasses, trees, utility poles and other large objects that could fall on your vehicle.
  • Turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
  • Stay in the vehicle, duck as low as you can and cover your head with your arms.
  • If possible, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, utility poles, light posts and other large objects that could fall on you.
  • Crouch close to the ground and protect your head with your arms.

Recovering after an earthquake

If any of the business's buildings is damaged, do the following:

  • Use caution tape to cordon off areas that are unsafe because of fallen trees, downed power lines, debris, unstable structures and other hazards.
  • Inspect building foundations and retaining walls for cracks and other significant damage.
  • From outside of buildings, use a flashlight to examine interior walls, floors, doors and windows. Don't enter any building if you suspect it could be structurally unsound.
  • Complete an incident report and forward pictures to your supervisor, corporate office and Gallagher broker.

While organizing your post-earthquake recovery efforts for your business, review your emergency plan and update as necessary. If you used any items in the disaster supply kit, restock the kit with items on the Disaster Supply List.

Also, review your Natural Catastrophes: Preparing for Business Interruption and Extra Expense Claims list for how to assess possible business interruption impacts, as well as potential claims coverage. Lastly, complete any mitigation items as directed by your insurance carrier.

You might need to contact the following after an earthquake:

  • Emergency services — such as the fire department and utility companies — as necessary, based on your review of the property.
  • A security company if there's sufficient damage to the property to arrange for surveillance. Instruct the security company to help direct emergency vehicles into the area and give them a list of approved employees, to reduce the possibility of looting.
  • Local hospitals regarding injured staff. Keep a log of all calls.
  • Your corporate office and insurance carrier to verbally report damage, so an adjuster can be sent to the site.
  • Vendors — such as cleaning services, tree-trimming services, electricians or plumbers — to help reduce further damage to the property.

File a commercial insurance claim

After you assess the damage, provide the inspection information to your Gallagher broker or claims advocate. You can also provide the Natural Catastrophes: Preparing for Business Interruption and Extra Expense Claims list.

It's important that your Gallagher broker or claims advocate receive this information as quickly as possible.

Claims Resources for Commercial Businesses

Claims Resources for Small Businesses

Starting a commercial insurance claim after an earthquake

The claims advocate must have as much detail as possible to initiate a commercial insurance claim and begin an investigation. If possible, provide before and after photos or videos.

Your policy and insurance company's website will contain important information about how to handle claims and manage losses.

Claim process for commercial insurance: What to expect

Throughout the claim investigation process, reach out to your Gallagher advocate with specific policy and claim questions. During this high-volume claim-reporting period, you should expect the following:

  • Initial contact may take some time. Some insurers may use adjusters under contract, so the adjuster's contact information may be different from what you expect.
  • Access to affected areas may be limited.
  • Competition for labor and materials could be high, which may affect the timeframe and costs associated with repair and remediation.
  • You'll work closely with your claim adjuster. If you have questions about the resolution process, Gallagher is here to help and to ensure you're in control of the claim process.

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