By Eddie Quezada
News Channel 3

It's no secret California has had it's fair share of earthquakes.

"The city just shut down, there were no street lights, overpasses had collapsed and it was just devastating...in our house we just had minor damage," says Mary Ann Mellin. Mellin went through the San Francisco quake of 1989 and now lives in the Coachella Valley. She says since then she understands the importance of being prepared.

"Seeing what could happen in San Francisco where things were damaged it just made us realize that we were lucky that time," she says.

But, are Californians really prepared?

"In California, only about 12% of the households have insurance," says Farmers insurance agent Ron Henderson.

While it's very important to be prepared for an earthquake with things like food and water, it's also important to be prepared for your financial survival.

"One of the misconceptions that a lot of homeowners have is well, I'm not going to get earthquake insurance because the federal government may come into town," says Henderson.

Henderson says don't expect the government to write you a big check.

"What people don't understand is that FEMA who will come in and do that will only allow $26,000 to the homeowner of which only $5,000 can be used to rebuild your home," he says.

Check with your home insurance agent for earthquake coverage. Costs vary, but can usually be had for less than car insurance.

"A policy covers the main dwelling, it doesn't cover swimming pools, it doesn't cover detatched garages or guest homes, it can cover personal property and you have options," says Henderson.

Because after an earthquake, what you don't know can hurt you.