[MRM]

I asked a friend who works in the industry and knows a lot about earthquake insurance. Their company doesn't write in Oregon, only California and Washington, so they're not an option, but here is the advice. Earthquake insurance is currently very competitive so by shopping around you should get a good price. Call your State Farm agent and ask for a referral to an insurance broker who can handle earthquake insurance. When you talk to the agent, ask for the best rate you can get from a company that is rated A.M. Best A or better. Any A rated company will have more than enough reserves to handle the big one. With the high deductibles and rates on earthquake insurance, there isn't really a problem that a big earthquake could put the company out of business if it is A rated.

So there you go. Either shop for a good broker and buy the cheapest A rated policy you can get, or self-insure and put the money you saved in premiums into the market yourself. If the big one does hit that's your loss reserve.