Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: earthquake insurance

[Audrey Watson (audrey]

We at Winslow cohousing, Bainbridge Island, WA, do have earthquake 
insurance.  It was a big decision the first year, as we balanced out 
those in the community who don't like to pay insurance of any kind and 
those who are more risk averse.  After that, it just became part of our 
insurance bill.  Note we are organized as a co-op, and all buildings 
belong to the corporation and everyone owns shares, so the risk for all 
buildings is all of ours.   On top of that we have regular property 
insurance (fire/liability etc).   Note Washington does not have as many 
earthquakes as California, but there is a fault line that runs thru 
Bainbridge ISland, and we have as much risk for a "big one" as California.
There are those who wanted to "self-insure" or even try for a 
self-insure among other cohousing groups,  but the $$ amounts to rebuild 
one of our bigger buildings (a 3 story 6-plex) are now quite large.
We are also working on the food and water and notification issues for 
"disaster preparedness",  so every household will have what they need 
for 3-4 days.  That hasn't been completed.

audrey
winslow cohousing
bainbridge island, WA

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HI,
My first time to ask a question. I'm Ed Flowers, living at Yulupa Cohousing in 
Santa Rosa, CA.

A couple of our members have asked about earthquake insurance. Does any 
community have this insurance? Or insurance that covers a disaster (other than 
a fire)? Or has any community set aside some money to cover costs in case of a 
disaster (a kind of self-insurance)?

This is separate from the question of having enough food and water on hand in 
case of an earthquake.

Thanks.

Ed Flowers
Yulupa Cohousing