Photo of Lowell Point taken by an Umialik employee.

Lowell Point, AK
Photo by | Umialik Employee

UmialikXpress


Agency Bulletin

August 21, 2023


Umialik’s Earthquake and Property Binding Restrictions

As you may be aware, an earthquake recently struck in Alaska. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck 110 miles southeast of Nikolski, Alaska, on August 19, 2023. As outlined in our guidelines, any earthquake of 5.0 or greater triggers a binding restriction for any risk within 100 miles of the epicenter for 30 days after the last 5.0 earthquake or aftershock in the area.

The binding restriction encompasses requests to add earthquake coverage and reduce deductibles. Additionally, underwriters will require verification of no known losses on property policies in the affected area at binding.

The restriction will remain in effect for 30 days. If there is an earthquake event of 5.0 or greater in this same geographical area within the next 30 days, the 30-day period will reset.

Map of Alaska with Nikolski highlighted.

For Personal Lines and Commercial Lines property business that was quoted prior to the recent earthquake, we will accept binds if the policyholder is able to sign a No Loss Statement confirming that there have been no known losses from August 19, 2023, through the requested binding date and time.

If you have questions regarding business that was quoted prior to the earthquake, or about this notice in general, please contact your Underwriting Team or Stacey Matteson (Stacey.Matteson@umialik.com), Vice President and General Manager.