"These days, consumers across the country often believe that they are paying too much for all the various types of insurance policies they must have, and for some people, those concerns are greater than others. Because of where they live, a healthy percentage of the U.S. population is at an increased risk of being hit with specific kinds of incidents - including hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes - and they might not like paying the extra premium money every month. It's exactly for that reason, though, that insurance agents should do more to explain to consumers the risks they might face if they don't have such coverage. Suggesting add-on home insurance policies when homeowners are at particular risk for damage from an earthquake, for example, might be a sticking point for many consumers, but it's a necessary cost nonetheless, according to a report from Fox Business. For instance, those who need earthquake insurance are generally those along the U.S.'s West Coast, which is part of the so-called ""Ring of Fire"" along the Pacific Rim. It's necessary to have earthquake coverage there because more than four out of every five earthquakes experienced annually happens along that geographical feature.  A big problem persists Nonetheless, only 12 percent of homes in California carry earthquake insurance policies overall, meaning their owners may be putting themselves at significant risk, the report said. As with other states with a higher risk for specific types of claims incidents, many may see it as too expensive, but do not weigh the costs of not having such coverage and benefits it might provide against each other. ""That's its own disaster waiting to happen,"" Glenn Pomeroy, chief executive officer of the California Earthquake Authority, a nonprofit privately funded insurer set up by the state government, told the news organization. Insurance agents should also try to keep in mind that when it comes to prices, consumers usually don't mind paying a little bit more if that means they also have access to high-quality customer service. Consequently, it might be wise for agents to try to reach out more often, explain the positives of the coverage people buy, and help them find the occasional discount for which they might qualify whenever possible. Doing so might engender a little more customer satisfaction, which, in turn, leads to better retention rates and even the possibility of more incoming business."