According to the Insurance Information Institute, as of early 2007, 12
percent of California "homeowners" have earthquake insurance. The
percentage, then, of all Californians, would be a much lower figure. And
also a rather meaningless one.

http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/earthquake/

From census.gov we learn that the ownership rate in California as of 2000
was 57%, and this figure appears to be a percentage of "householders." My
best guess, then, is that the 12% and 57% figures represent a percentage of
all California _households_.

In 2005 there were 12.1 million households in California. The average
household size was 2.9 people.

The California Earthquake authority insures, through its own funds, about
750,000 homeowners. The balance of California earthquake insurance policies
are obtained through private insurance companies - always in partnership
with the owners' residential insurance.

California's current population is about 35 million people (!).

Mike Williams
Arroyo Grande, CA USA

Hi Mike,
There are quite a number of people who are renters who also have
earthquake insurance and your method does not account for them. I do
believe the 15% figure is right and in saying that, it's a very sad
figure at that as it means the economic downturn after the next
moderately large to large event is going to be devastating for
Californians and the Nation as well.

However, my own experience is that most sales agents are not well
versed in earthquake data to encourage potential buyers nor do they
have it themselves, thus they are not encouraging consumers that it is
in their best interest and as a result there are fewer buyers.

And the first rule of thumb in sales is that one has to "believe"
their product is needed and a good one............

Petra