Iowa City Votes Down Purchase of Earthquake Insurance

City leaders in Johnston, Iowa have decided against earthquake insurance in the wake of two tremors this spring in Illinois and Missouri.

The City Council on Tuesday, May 20th rejected spending $4,000 a year for an earthquake policy with a $10 million limit.

City staffers say while the Des Moines suburb could experience tremors, major damage is unlikely.

Some other Iowa cities carry earthquake insurance. Cedar Rapids has $5 million in coverage, Des Moines and Urbandale have $20 million.

According to the National Weather Service, there have been 13 earthquakes with epicenters in Iowa. The first was in Sidney in 1867. The latest was near Shenandoah in 2004.