Categories: Uncategorized

How does Strata Earthquake insurance work?

All strata insurance policies, at least every single one that I have ever seen, has an earthquake clause. The deductible is usually 10% of the total replacement value of the property, but this can be increased or decreased, and your premium may go up or down along with this. We see some buildings go up to 20%, and some take it down to 5%. There is also a minimum amount, usually $250,000 which would only come into play for smaller buildings with lesser replacement values. 

As an example, say that your 50 unit strata building has a replacement cost of $20 million. This is the value that it would cost to demolish and rebuild the building to original specs, not including any upgrades, etc.

Strata Insurance Earthquake deductible quick math

In this example, you have a 10% deductible, meaning that it would cost the strata $2m out of pocket to rebuild in the event of an earthquake, or roughly $40,000/ unit. The exact breakdown will be according to unit entitlement, the same calculation that is used to determine your strata fees. It’s super important to remember to include this deductible in your personal home insurance, just in case a big one ever hits!

Looking for some strata management guidance? Reach out to us here today!

Chris Stepchuk

Recent Posts

Online Strata Meetings in BC: What Councils Need to Know

Online meetings have become a regular part of strata living in British Columbia. For many…

1 day ago

What Reviews Say About a Strata Management Company

Choosing a strata management company is one of the most important decisions a strata council…

2 weeks ago

How to Measure the Value of Your Strata Management Company

What makes a strata management company valuable? It's a fair question, especially when management fees…

3 weeks ago

3 Strategies for Managing Strata Council Burnout and Improving Annual General Meeting Attendance

Strata councils play an important role in keeping buildings running smoothly. In many communities, council…

2 months ago

Why strata councils should prioritize long-term electric vehicle infrastructure planning today

As electric vehicles become increasingly popular across BC, more strata councils are receiving requests for…

2 months ago

Buyers Beware of troublemakers- there is one in every single Strata Building!

When you buy into a strata, you’re buying into an apartment or townhouse, you’re buying…

2 months ago