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Insurance Bureau of Canada promotes earthquake safety

VANCOUVER, Jan. 26 2011 - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is proud to be the gold sponsor of The Great British Columbia ShakeOut to be held across British Columbia today. It's the largest earthquake drill ever to take place in Canada. Over 400,000 people will participate in this drill in their homes, schools, businesses and government offices. The drill is designed to educate people about how to be prepared and how to protect themselves during an earthquake.

"We're pleased to sponsor this important initiative and to promote earthquake awareness to British Columbians," said Serge Corbeil, IBC's Government Relations Manager, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. "IBC understands the risks of earthquakes and this sponsorship is part of its consumer outreach programs."

IBC is working hard to inform Canadians about the ways that they can prepare themselves, their homes and their businesses to be more resilient and reduce losses.

IBC offers a few tips on preparing yourself for an earthquake:

• Know the safe and dangerous places in your home.
• Make an appointment now with your insurance representative to talk about your earthquake insurance. Check your coverage - it will affect your loss and financial ability to recover after an earthquake.
• Plan and practice evacuation.
• Talk to your family about what to do if they're at home, school, or at work and the quake separates your family.
• Arrange an out-of-the-area contact (e.g., in the interior if you live on the coast).
• Each family member should carry the contact phone number and address.

Don't forget to practice - Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

www.shakeoutbc.ca

For further safety tips and insurance information, visit www.ibc.ca.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

To view media releases and information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca.