The number of California businesses carrying earthquake insurance has slipped since the 1994 Northridge earthquake and experts ponder what the consequences of a major earthquake could be on the state's economy.

Five years without a major earthquake has made memories short. Despite the large threat, experts say California businesses risk financial ruin without protection from a major earthquake.

But earthquakes are part of what makes California a land of risks-risks some say are just too big to take without earthquake insurance.

The success of a business, whether it's a tiny enterprise run out of a basement or a large corporation, is largely dependent of hard work and ingenuity. However, no matter how industrious the business owner, one earthquake can wipe out profits and even destroy business.

The key to making sure that all the effort and money invested in a business doesn't disappear when a disaster strikes is to protect it with the appropriate insurance.

We want to make sure our clients are able to survive both major and minor disruptions in business caused by earthquakes.

Is the amount of time, energy and resources you have invested in your business worth risking? Will your business be able to survive a major earthquake? How much would you lose even during a minor earthquake?

Our agency has a number of premier commercial earthquake products available through the Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West, the region's largest broker-agent trade association.

Call us for a free analysis of earthquake risk to determine if you need earthquake insurance and coverage. There will be another earthquake-it's only a matter of where and when.

HELPFUL EARTHQUAKE TIPS

Here's some helpful tips following an earthquake:

*Call us as soon as possible.

*Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

*Delay permanent repairs until your insurer approves reimbursement.

*Keep all repair receipts.

*prepare an inventory of all damaged property.

*Take photos and save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance

company adjuster.

*Meet with your adjuster before signing any contracts.