Insurance reform faulty

Regarding “Earthquake Policies Dwindle in California,” [by Jeff Bertolucci, Nov. 28]: At the time of the Northridge earthquake, I had earthquake insurance. My house had about $60,000 of structural damage but little loss of personal possessions.

Because my wife has asthma, we could not live in the house while repairs were underway. Our insurance not only paid for the repairs (after the deductible) but also for us to live in an apartment for seven months.

After the Legislature “reformed” earthquake insurance, I allowed our policy to lapse. The current policies would pay for living in an apartment during repairs for only a maximum of 3 months. Then, if a serious quake causes a major drain on the resources of the California Earthquake Authority, I could expect to settle my claim for only 50% of the covered loss.

Not even a major quake will reverse the declining trend to forgo earthquake insurance because it is a very bad deal. What is needed is a change in the law to restore the issuing of policies that will truly cover actual losses.

David E. Ross

Oak Park