Insurance brokers and agents from northern California participate annually in the Sacramento "Big I Day" conference to learn more about how to run their insurance agencies more effectively. But this year they'll also hear a little about "Drop, Cover and Hold On," the recommended procedure for what to do when an earthquake strikes.

They'll learn more about the value of earthquake insurance, too.

The Insurance Brokers & Agents of Sacramento are holding their annual conference at the Sacramento Convention Center just two days before the first annual Great California ShakeOut at 10:15 on Oct. 15 (10/15), the biggest earthquake drill in U.S. history. Attending agents will be encouraged to participate in the drill and learn more about earthquake insurance. The California Earthquake Authority, which sells about 70 percent of all residential earthquake insurance policies in the state, will be promoting ShakeOut participation and earthquake insurance at its exhibit booth.

"We think our conference on Oct. 13th, the ShakeOut drill on Oct. 15th, and the 20th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake on Oct. 17th represent a unique combination of events for us," said John Bradford, first vice president of The Insurance Brokers and Agents of Sacramento. "The combination of these events creates an opportunity for insurance agents to consider how to advise their clients about the financial security that earthquake insurance may provide, and to promote ShakeOut drill participation in their business offices and to their clients."

The ShakeOut drill was created to encourage Californians to practice earthquake-safety techniques, which protect against injuries, and recover more quickly with minimal earthquake damage to their personal property and finances. CEA CEO Glenn Pomeroy said buying earthquake insurance could be an important part of any household's earthquake emergency plan:

"We find that many people don't realize that their regular homeowners or renters insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage," Pomeroy said. He said he thinks this may help explain why only about 12 percent of California households have an earthquake-insurance policy.

"It is better to think about making these plans now - to secure the value of your home with an earthquake insurance policy - rather than waiting until the day after a damaging quake, when it may be too late."

Partners organizing the ShakeOut include the California Earthquake Authority, California Emergency Management Agency, Earthquake Country Alliance, California Department of Education, Southern California Earthquake Center, United States Geological Survey, American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, State Farm Insurance and others.

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