Text Message Creates Confusion Over Earthquake Insurance In Edmond

Another earthquake shook the state Tuesday. This time a 3.2 magnitude near Prague. All the recent quakes have people on high alert.

11/12/2013 Related Story: Small Earthquake Rocks Prague Area Tuesday Afternoon

Tuesday, a text message from a metro insurance agent creates confusion over insurance coverage requirements.

"People took it, you've got to have earthquake coverage to have coverage on their home," said Edmond State Farm Insurance agent, Gary Baccus.

It was a simple text message which read in part, "No coverage, unless you have an earthquake endorsement."

That text had the phones at Gary Baccus' office in Edmond ringing non-stop. Policy holders feared if they didn't get earthquake insurance, their coverage would be dropped.

"This is the first time we've used text messaging to inform people about coverage's," Baccus said.

Quake coverage is not included in a standard homeowner's policy.

"I re-sent the text out to clarify that it's an optional coverage, you've got coverage, you just don't have coverage for earthquake if you don't have the endorsement," Baccus said.

It's now a harsh reality in Oklahoma. Storms and floods are not the only perils that can damage or destroy your home.

Nowlin Eastwood has been insured through State Farm Insurance for more than 40 years. Nowlin says he's not concerned, and has no plans to get quake coverage.

"If I feel like I'm at risk to an earthquake, and someone has a policy available, then I feel like it's my responsibility to get it," said Eastwood. "Nobody should tell me what I should carry."

Meanwhile, Baccus says he felt obligated to let his policy holders know about the earthquake endorsement, despite the initial misunderstanding.

"A little confusion, and we wanted to straightened that out," Baccus said.

Insurance agencies are not required to mandate earthquake insurance for policy holders in Oklahoma. Insurance providers can only present it as an option to homeowners.