Believe it or not, every state in the U.S. has some degree of risk from earthquakes, including Oregon. If you live in an area susceptible to earthquakes, make sure you speak with Oregon Trail Insurance in order to determine whether you are covered, or if you should purchase separate earthquake coverage.

Know If You Have Earthquake Coverage from Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail Insurance will talk you through your options and discuss home improvements that can make it eligible for an earthquake endorsement or policy. Note that those who are California, Oregon or Washington residents, must purchase a separate earthquake policy.

Oregon Trail Will Help You Know What Your Insurance Covers and How Much You Need

• Deductibles and the amount of coverage for earthquake damage vary by state.
• Your policy may not cover the entire cost of rebuilding.
• Exterior buildings, decks and landscaping are generally not covered.

Take Action to Reduce Damage
To reduce damage inside, think “heads up.” Look at your ceiling and walls to see what might fall.

• Anchor bookcases and filing cabinets to walls.
• Secure ceiling lights, suspended ceilings and other hanging items to the building structure.
• Anchor water heaters and large appliances to walls using safety cables or straps, and lock the rollers of all appliances and furniture.
• Fit all gas appliances with flexible connections and breakaway gas shut-off devices or install a main gas shut-off device.
• Consider working with a registered design professional or licensed building contractor to reduce potential damage to the structure of your home or business.
• Add anchor bolts or steel plates between your home’s structure and foundation.
• Brace the inside of your home’s cripple wall with sheathing.
• Brace unreinforced chimneys, masonry, concrete walls and foundations.

Protect Yourself If the Ground Starts to Shake in Oregon

Indoors

• If you’re indoors, stay there.
• Move away from windows, skylights, doors and things that could fall.
• Duck, cover and hold until the shaking stops.

Outdoors

• Move quickly into the open, away from electrical lines, trees and buildings.
• Drop to the ground and wait for the shaking to stop.

Driving

• Slowly bring your vehicle to a stop at the side of the road.
• Don’t stop on or under bridges, under power lines or near roadway signs.
• After the shaking has stopped, continue driving, but watch out for damage to the road.

Home Inventory

Part of your home’s value is inside.

• Your furniture and appliances, clothing, sports or hobby equipment, and electronic goods are all regarded as personal property.
• Compare the value of your belongings to the “contents” limit listed in your policy from Oregon Trail Insurance. This helps you make sure you have enough insurance from Oregon Trail Insurance in order to replace your items if they are lost, stolen or destroyed as a result of a covered loss.
• An inventory also makes filing a claim easier.

What’s the best way to create my inventory?

• The easiest way to take an inventory is to use a video camera. Record and describe items as you walk through your house.
• You can also use a regular camera and create a home inventory checklist.
• Tips for completing and storing your inventory:
  • Add brand names and descriptions that are visible, especially on large-ticket items.
  • Keep any receipts you have with the list to make the claims process easier.
  • Store your video or photo inventory offsite so you won’t lose it if your house is damaged.
  • Update your personal property records when you purchase new furnishings and valuables.

How much insurance do I need in Pacific Northwest?

• Oregon Trail Insurance can assist you in analyzing your insurance needs, helping you decide how to most effectively protect your personal property in Pacific Northwest.
• Discuss full value coverage with Oregon Trail, this will pay for the replacement value of your personal belongings.
• A standard policy typically covers personal property only up to its actual cash value, determined by taking the replacement cost and deducting depreciation, which can be substantial.
• Remember your homeowner’s policy covers valuable items such as jewelry, furs, art and antiques, only up to set dollar amounts.
• If the cost of replacing the items exceeds these limits, you may want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage.

How do I make a claim?

Please contact your insurance company directly. If you don’t have that information handy, contact us at 541-296-2395 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Oregon Trail Insurance: .

Content provided by: Safeco Insurance

Tags: earthquake, earthquake insurance, quake insurance, safety

If the unthinkable happens, we here at Oregon Trail Insurance understand that your most valuable assets are more than just items on a balance sheet. That information is critical during a time of catastrophe.

Sites to Check Out
The following sites are additional resources to assist with preparing for and recovering from disaster.

• American Red Cross
  The American Red Cross not only provides disaster relief nationally, but is part of a global humanitarian network, responding to those in need.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
  FEMA is an independent agency of the federal government, which provides preparedness and response and recovery support to the nation.
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  NOAA is a federal agency and the primary source of weather data and warnings for the United States.
• U.S. Small Business Administration
  The SBA is an independent agency of the federal government that aids, counsels, assists and protects the interests of small business concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions about FEMA

What if I don’t have enough (or any) insurance?
You may qualify for grants from FEMA, low-interest loans from the Small Business Administration, or the Farm Service Agency, or you may qualify for tax refunds for items that were not covered by insurance.

How do I get assistance?
Information on tax assistance, grants and loans can be obtained at a Disaster Recovery Center, or by calling FEMA at 1-800-462-9029. After your application is reviewed, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss, and that will determine the type and extent of assistance that will be provided. Audits are done later to ensure that the aid goes only to those who are eligible and that the funds are used for their intended purposes.

What services are available?
FEMA may be able to provide Disaster Housing for up to 18 months, Low Interest Disaster Loans (from the SBA) to cover uninsured property losses, Disaster Grants to earthquake victims who would be unable to repay a loan, and other services such as crises counseling, unemployment assistance, legal aid, and assistance with income tax implications.

When should I apply?
FEMA encourages earthquake victims to apply for aid as soon as possible. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the Presidents major disaster declaration.

What assistance is available from the SBA?
The SBA has a Disaster Loan program that helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and nonprofit organizations fund rebuilding after a disaster. The loans generally have low interest rates and long repayment terms to make SBA recovery more affordable.

What if I need more information?
More information is available by visiting FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov, and by visiting the SBA website at www.sba.gov. Additionally, you can also contact the IRS about tax relief by calling 1-800-829-1040, or visiting www.irs.gov.

For more advice and full service protection on the things that matter to you most, contact Oregon Trail Insurance at 541-296-2395 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Content provided by: Safeco Insurance

Tags: Emergency Resources

Your Identity Belongs to You. Some Suggestions From Oregon Trail Insurance to Help Protect It.

One smart and effective way to protect yourself against identity theft in places like Pacific Northwest is to prevent it. If your identity is stolen, you’ll be able to lessen problems by acting quickly, whether you live in Oregon, or elsewhere.

Start with Good Habits in The Dalles

• Print out a copy of this page and store it in a convenient place
• Leave your Social Security card at home in a safe place
• Shred papers with personal information
• Reduce your credit card accounts, and only carry the cards you need
• Write checks with a permanent pen, and mail from a secure place
• Photocopy both sides of your credit cards and store safely

Watch Your Accounts Closely

• Review balances and transactions often by phone or online
• Make sure every transaction on your credit card statements is accurate
• Take advantage of free credit reports and watch for unusual activity
• Sign up with Experian, Transunion, and Equifax and stagger your requests to get a free credit report every four months or sign up for credit watch services which will report directly to you for a fee

Fill Out the FTC Affidavit Quickly

• The FTC Theft Affidavit supplies proof that you didn’t authorize any accounts opened or debts run up by the identity thief
• New accounts need this FTC affidavit form to investigate the fraud and process your claim
• Call your existing accounts for instructions on disputing unauthorized charges as other forms may be needed
• Keep originals of the affidavit, and all supporting materials such as driver’s license or police report. Send copies only.
• Send quickly – many creditors request that you send the affidavit within two weeks

Keep This Information Handy
Federal Trade Commission ID Theft Line and websites:
1-877-438-4338
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
www.ftc.gov

Social Security Administration Fraud Line: 1-800-269-0271

Credit Reporting Agencies
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com

Experian: 1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com

Transunion: 1-800-680-7289
www.transunion.com

Identity Theft Plan of Action

1. Call your credit card companies immediately. Explain what happened, and ask where to send a copy of the police report.
2. Call and report to the police. Make several copies of the police report.
3. Complete a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Theft Affidavit and FTC report (see contact information above to request these forms).
4. Call your bank. They can place an alert on your Driver’s License number and Social Security Number, and freeze your account.
5. Call fraud units of credit report agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

Take the time to educate yourself on identity theft, and please don’t hesitate to seek the help of professionals when needed. For more information, contact Oregon Trail Insurance at 541-296-2395 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Content provided by: Safeco Insurance

Tags: crime, identity theft, safety