The recent increase in earthquakes has been alarming citizens and legislators who are questioning the causes and also preparing for more, making earthquake insurance all the more prevalent.
Only a single bill pertaining particularly to earthquakes was filed during the 2014 session.
House Bill 3420, by State Rep. Mike Shelton (D-Oklahoma City) would have created the Earthquake Insurance Act of 2014. Shelton says is concerned that people are “acting like ostriches and sticking their heads in the sand and pretending that this isn’t going on.”
"It is gross negligence on the side of the Legislature to ignore these earthquakes," Shelton said. "All I wanted to do with my bill was making sure people understood that basic homeowner’s policy did not cover earthquakes. [Rep.] Aaron Stiles, of Norman, didn’t feel like it was important and he tabled it. I was willing to fix the bill, willing to work with the insurance department and make sure it was right, but it got voted down.”
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