Agents Say Arkansas Earthquake Insurance Sales Up

Insurance agents say the recent 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Oklahoma has led many Arkansans to add earthquake insurance to their homeowner policies.

The Nov. 5 quake east of Oklahoma City left damage over a wide area and shook much of western Arkansas. Insurance agents say the phones have been busy ever since.

State Farm agent Larry Bittle in Fayetteville told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that he sold about 100 earthquake policies in the week after the quake.

Many in Arkansas already have earthquake insurance due to the presence of the New Madrid Fault in northeast Arkansas.

Agents say earthquake insurance isn’t very expensive but deductibles are high. The policies are aimed at helping people recover from a total loss, not minor damage.