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State Farm Wants To Insure Johnson County, Texas, Against Frack-Water Induced Quakes

Dallas Observer - Biz section -- Like a good neighbor, State Farm wants to insure Johnson County homeowners against fracking-related earthquake damage. Cleburne, aka Lil' San Andreas, has experienced a string of quakes this summer. Which is weird because, before 2008, the area had absolutely zero history of seismic activity.

State Farm reps have reportedly been firing off mailers to residents, urging them to buy earthquake coverage. A local rep passed me onto corporate. Gary Stephenson, the spokesman for the DFW area was coy, but conceded, "Is there major research going on at State Farm? I can say we're aware of this, we're watching this issue. It's more in the news, and we are watching this with interest."

None of the quakes has been huge -- most beneath 3 on the Richter scale, according to U.S. Geological Survey data

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Submitted Jul 24, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:9,165 Points:779,850 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 1:35:25 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse LOL, joeski1, PDQ and Cakes just hate the facts don't they? Remember, I don't make this stuff up, the info is out there for anyone that seeks the truth. Refute the article? What's there to refute? The fact that State Farm is so sure there's no risk from earthquake damage that they are pushing to collect premiums from paranoid buyers? That's already perfectly clear! A little history on Texas earthquakes from, wait for it.... the USGS! Several recorded quakes in this region of Texas (I guess they were fracing back in 1891! LOL. Notice how the purveyors of fear and paranoia only say 'never before specifically in Cleburne' purposefully glossing over the past history of quakes in the REGION. Quakes don't recognize geopolitical boundaries you know!
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,667 Points:1,229,950 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 25, 2012 12:04:14 AM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse LMAO Joe and PDQ! Well said! Thanks NH for posting this article!
PDQBlues Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,214 Points:1,476,025 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 11:29:38 PM Ignore PDQBlues Report Abuse Joeski1: well dr soda pop... or bambi killer.. oops bambi was a boy.. why don't you find the 'correct' USGS data and prove this article wrong? shouldn't be too hard... You may be asking the impossible, Joeski1.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,210 Points:1,769,535 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:08:13 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse "During the fracking process, many millions of gallons of water, sand, and chemicals are injected a mile or more underground. As the gas is produced, much of it surges to the surface, often accompanied by subsurface brine. The "water" is almost impossible to treat. So the best idea the industry has at the moment is to inject into deep water-bearing formations like the Ellenburger." and who will dispute this point are being inaccurate?
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,210 Points:1,769,535 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:06:38 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse "Per USGS data, there have been some 32 tremors in Johnson County alone since 2008. The first "felt" earthquakes in Dallas and Tarrant counties occurred in 2008, some seven weeks after waste-water injection began at a well near the Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport." well dr soda pop... or bambi killer.. oops bambi was a boy.. why don't you find the 'correct' USGS data and prove this article wrong? shouldn't be too hard...
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,324 Points:1,145,340 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:52:23 PM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Easy money.
BurntOrange Champion Author Austin Posts:8,882 Points:1,610,715 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 9:13:44 AM Ignore BurntOrange Report Abuse Will they also cover alien attacks? Great business idea. Additional coverage at zero cost.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,343 Points:1,325,920 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:51:03 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse Drumming up business. Creating a business where there was none. What a scam.
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,360 Points:900,075 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:44:21 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Insure them and then bill/sue the fracking company for damages.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:9,165 Points:779,850 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:32:05 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse Doeslayersr is correct, selling insurance based on fear and paranoia, knowing full well claims will not succeed. LOL, they should be able to sell a lot of policies to the victims of this fear and paranoia. Now we can just add insurance to the list of non scientific tripe the anti-oil and gas nuts produce.
gandalfthegrey1 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,184 Points:384,785 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:17:52 AM Ignore gandalfthegrey1 Report Abuse doeslayersr has valid points. I suppose I could have missed it, but as a resident of this state, I've not seen a single report relative to earthquakes in that region or anywhere else in Texas. Surely, if that was a real threat it would be much more publicized. This sounds as though StF is trying to create a market whether it exists or not.
ktyson13 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,556 Points:403,650 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 8:05:29 AM Ignore ktyson13 Report Abuse insurance companies are like leaches. once they get on you, you can't get them off and they suck u dry.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,303 Points:899,705 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 7:43:45 AM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Sounds like a money making venure on the part of State Farm. Insurance companies do not stay in business very long by losing money. I guess this is their subtle way of saying fracking induced quakes are not very likely!!!
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,418 Points:955,705 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 7:10:52 AM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse Are they going to insure Alaskans against alligator attack too?
el_fr Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:3,477 Points:772,400 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 7:10:18 AM Ignore el_fr Report Abuse Intereting
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,686 Points:1,197,290 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 7:05:41 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse State Farm is there :)
cdrrod Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,291 Points:810,500 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 7:02:11 AM Ignore cdrrod Report Abuse Like a good neighbor....
MImusicman Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,013 Points:435,375 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:50:52 AM Ignore MImusicman Report Abuse Let's see the industry doesn't want to insure fracking (see other articles here) BUT they are more than willing to insure homeowners against the damage...does anyone else find that a little humorous?
ReddevilNO Champion Author New Orleans Posts:3,481 Points:600,090 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:45:03 AM Ignore ReddevilNO Report Abuse Ok.
Timberline Champion Author West Virginia Posts:2,540 Points:772,355 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:23:53 AM Ignore Timberline Report Abuse Interesting, given Nationwide's stance on the subject.
yardslave Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,697 Points:624,505 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:16:23 AM Ignore yardslave Report Abuse Our largest was just over a 5 and it did damage....
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:35,351 Points:2,399,070 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:14:05 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse carpetbaggers
skippypa Champion Author Hawaii Posts:8,616 Points:1,768,630 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 6:09:00 AM Ignore skippypa Report Abuse Go for it!!!!
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,745 Points:892,540 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 5:52:23 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse More greed!
TravelinMan52 Champion Author Augusta Posts:2,065 Points:991,345 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 4:56:27 AM Ignore TravelinMan52 Report Abuse Interesting to see where this goes...
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:6,921 Points:1,892,760 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 3:56:56 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse BEWARE OF STATE FARM: NOT A GOOD NEIGHBOR WHEN THERE IS A LOSS !!!
gaswatchON Veteran Author Ontario Posts:475 Points:120,435 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 3:01:12 AM Ignore gaswatchON Report Abuse I Had State Farm Once and they are the sleaziest of the sleazey's This is how they will work this: first they con the people into the insurance then if there is an Earthquake they'll say prove it was the Fracking that caused it. We know how that will go don't we. This is copied from another news item on this site - ABC News - Associated Press -- Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. has become the first major insurance company to say it won't cover damage related to a gas drilling process that blasts chemical-laden water deep into the ground. [Edited by: gaswatchON at 7/24/2012 3:05:28 AM EST]
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,377 Points:1,412,040 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 2:51:59 AM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Knowing the way most insurance policies work? I would suggest you read the policy very carefully before signing. Most likely, you are only covered if the quake occurs on the sixth Sunday of the month.
AskMeLater Champion Author Amarillo Posts:2,126 Points:605,500 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 2:34:35 AM Ignore AskMeLater Report Abuse A great way for State Farm to make a few buck. Kind of like people who bought insurance against being killed by SpaceLab back in the late 70s (iirc). Hey, if I own a company and some sucker wants to buy insurance from me to protect himself against something that will never happen, I'd be supid to say no.
1WI All-Star Author Appleton Posts:818 Points:274,255 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 2:12:55 AM Ignore 1WI Report Abuse Greed $$$
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:6,760 Points:1,577,635 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:46:45 AM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse State Farm is all about making money. I am sure they have calculated the risks involved and believe that they will escape any major claims- we will see.
Thomtec Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,600 Points:635,395 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:36:19 AM Ignore Thomtec Report Abuse Ok
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,324 Points:1,145,340 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:36:10 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Rolling the dice.
BJWI Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,554 Points:763,925 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:34:38 AM Ignore BJWI Report Abuse I thought fracking does not cause earthquakes. If the oil industry and their advocates are maintaining and have concluded fracking does not cause earthquakes, then State Farm will never pay out a claim.
KE4YBZ All-Star Author Knoxville Posts:580 Points:581,550 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:29:22 AM Ignore KE4YBZ Report Abuse I'm sorry. I know it's wrong.. but every time I hear "fracking"... I giggle a little. Sorry.
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:5,561 Points:1,123,895 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 1:08:03 AM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Take their money ,State Farm.
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:8,881 Points:2,004,125 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:47:53 AM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse State Farm wants to do this? Relax then, their engineers must have figured out that they are similar to mine "settlements" and do very little surface damage so they will offer the coverage and profit from the venture.
kgbellman Champion Author Ann Arbor Posts:2,854 Points:759,540 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:45:30 AM Ignore kgbellman Report Abuse I'm curious how they can afford that
jkpsr Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,207 Points:1,127,915 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:43:48 AM Ignore jkpsr Report Abuse This will, of coarse, entail a premium raise.
probedude2 Champion Author Akron Posts:12,693 Points:2,407,905 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:43:39 AM Ignore probedude2 Report Abuse Here we go, beating on fracking some more; fracking itself is not the issue, it's what is done with the wastewater
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,985 Points:1,313,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:42:20 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Once the claims start the insurance will increase.
shores4now Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,549 Points:551,500 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:41:42 AM Ignore shores4now Report Abuse Ok
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,494 Points:2,285,480 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:41:24 AM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse Will they also insure against polluted wells and groundwater?
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,797 Points:2,387,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:39:30 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse Interesting they dropped a lot of us here in Florida and made us go to a state insurance policy.
WBBNC Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:499 Points:488,640 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:39:07 AM Ignore WBBNC Report Abuse Stop fracking: we're already have shortage of fresh water
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:7,129 Points:1,267,485 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:38:08 AM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse They must feel quakes are low risk to offer it.
2bigtanks All-Star Author Akron Posts:772 Points:371,610 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:38:07 AM Ignore 2bigtanks Report Abuse Here we go....
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,858 Points:415,675 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:36:30 AM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Beware, because State Farm will not insure homes in Florida, because of hurricanes.
mpg611 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,479 Points:597,545 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:35:26 AM Ignore mpg611 Report Abuse How about insurance to protect from officials elected based on pointless religion, cultural and social issues?
PettyEddie2012 Champion Author New York City Posts:1,879 Points:375,340 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jul 24, 2012 12:33:08 AM Ignore PettyEddie2012 Report Abuse Can I go buy meteor insurance somewhere?