Man-Made Earthquake

Man-made earthquake is typically not covered under earthquake insurance.

Earthquake insurance is designed to provide coverage for damages caused by natural earthquakes, which are the result of tectonic plate movements beneath the Earth’s surface. These natural earthquakes occur due to the release of built-up energy in the Earth’s crust and are considered to be unpredictable and uncontrollable events.

On the other hand, a man-made earthquake, also known as an induced seismic event, is caused by human activities such as mining, hydraulic fracturing (fracking), underground nuclear tests, or the injection of fluids into deep wells. These activities can alter the stress distribution within the Earth’s crust, leading to seismic events that would not have occurred naturally.

Most standard earthquake insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages caused by man-made earthquakes. The reason for this exclusion is that man-made earthquakes are considered to be a result of human intervention and are therefore seen as preventable or controllable events. Insurance companies typically do not want to assume the risk associated with these types of events.

It is worth noting that some specialized insurance policies may offer coverage for damages caused by certain types of man-made earthquakes. For example, in areas where hydraulic fracturing is prevalent, there may be specific insurance options available to cover damages resulting from induced seismicity related to fracking activities. However, these policies are not typically included in standard earthquake insurance coverage.

In summary, earthquake insurance generally does not cover damages caused by man-made earthquakes. It is important for individuals residing in areas where human activities may induce seismic events to carefully review their insurance policies and consider additional coverage options if necessary.