Center won’t have earthquake insurance




Center won’t have
earthquake insurance


Earthquake insurance rates are forcing cities to cut corners.


Agoura Hills can’t afford coverage on the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center because of a 41 percent jump.


The annual insurance premium on the 30,000 square-foot building would be $28,191, up from $19,937 for last year. The deductible is a whooping $250,000.


"We carry such coverage on our city facilities mainly because they are considered to be essential buildings that would have to be replaced if something catastrophic were to occur," said City Manager Dave Adams in a report.


The community center, however, isn’t considered an "essential building."


Calabasas, which operates the center under a joint powers agreement with Agoura Hills, won’t approve the coverage either, unless required by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Administration. FEMA recommends public agencies carry earthquake insurance, but it isn’t mandatory. Agoura Hills had no claims for damage in from the 1994 Northridge earthquake.


—John Loesing



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