Well. OK.  Not that much.

The MD Suburbs of DC got a little jolt yesterday from a 5.8 magnitude earthquake centered about 100 miles south in a little town called Mineral, VA. Although, there wasn’t really much damage outside some loose masonry being shaken loose, it created quite a stir in the ares.

I was actually sitting here at my computer when my own home started to shake. I have to admit I was a bit unnerved.  After it ended about 15 to 30 seconds later, I realized what had happened.

So I went around to survey the house:

• Were there any cracks in the walls?
• Any electrical problems?
• Water leaks or plumbing issues?
• Roof issues?  Window issues?

Luckily, I didn’t find anything that was cause for concern.

What Happened Underground?

Of course, I don’t know what, if anything happened in places I can’t see.  For example, my colleague, Jon Benya in Southern MD, suggested checking gas lines and other parts of your home to make sure you won’t be in for an aftershock that has nothing to do with the earthquake. Lucky for me, I’m all electric.

Will My Insurance Cover Any Damage?

I also understand from my friends at CNR Insurance that earthquake damage is not normally included in the standard homeowner’s insurance policy.  In fact, you can’t even apply for coverage until 72 hours after the event.  That means you have to wait until next week to get the coverage.  I have no idea what the premiums would be and I would bet that even if you got earthquake insurance and made a claim, say, in a month or two it would probably be scrutinized pretty closely.

Now that the earthquake is over it’s time to get ready for the peripheral effects of Hurricane Irene!

If you’re looking for a home, don’t get all shook up.
Click Here for an easy way to find homes in the MD Suburbs of DC