Prepare for disaster by checking your insurance coverage now.

Utah’s chances of suffering a devastating earthquake in the next half century come down to the flip of a coin, according to a new study released by the Utah Geological Survey’s Working Group on Earthquake Probabilities.

The study, Earthquake Probabilities for the Wasatch Front Region in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming, revealed a 43 percent chance that a 6.75 magnitude quake will occur along the Wasatch Front in the next 50 years. Smaller quakes are even likelier: there is a 57 percent chance of a 6.0-magnitude quake, and it’s a virtual certainty (93 percent chance) that a 5.0-magnitude quake will happen during the same period.

“The results of this study should be concerning to anyone who owns property along the Wasatch Front,” said Utah Insurance Commissioner Todd E. Kiser. “It is critical that people review their insurance policies to ensure that their homes, vehicles and other property are covered in the event of an earthquake.”

Many people might not realize that earthquakes are generally not covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. Earthquake insurance is a supplemental policy that covers the damage and destruction that can occur specifically in an earthquake. “I advise anyone who is concerned about the possibility of an earthquake to talk to their insurance agent about adding earthquake coverage,” said Kiser. “It is an extra cost, but it also means extra help if the worst were to happen.”

Utahns across the state can participate in the Great Utah ShakeOut, a mock-earthquake drill that will take place on April 21 at 10:15 AM. The ShakeOut is an annual event that helps Utahns prepare for an earthquake. More than 930,000 Utahns have signed up to participate through their employers, schools, government agencies, and other organizations.

“Preparedness is key to surviving an earthquake,” said Kiser. “Earthquake coverage for your property and possessions is another level of preparedness that can help your family recover from a disaster that is becoming more and more certain over time.”

Press Release
Don’t Leave Earthquake Damage to Chance

In light of the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Gobeille v. Liberty Mutual, the Utah Insurance Department will not enforce, and no person will be required to provide information pursuant to Utah insurance statutes and rules requiring data submissions concerning a self-insured employee welfare benefit plan.

Navid Monjazeb faces 22 counts of insurance fraud, reckless endangerment, and other crimes spanning five years and at least 23 known accidents.

On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, charges resulting from a months long investigation conducted by the State of Utah Insurance Fraud Division were filed against Navid Monjazeb through the Utah Attorney General’s Office. Assisting with the investigation were agents with the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Monjazeb was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail this morning. Monjazeb was charged with Pattern of Unlawful Activity, a second degree felony; 12 counts of Insurance Fraud, all third degree felonies; 2 counts of Forgery, both third degree felonies; and 7 counts of Reckless Endangerment, all class A misdemeanors.

Between January 5, 2010 through December 22, 2015, Monjazeb, while driving the same three vehicles, was involved in at least 23 auto accidents.

Many of the accidents occurred at the same location with similar circumstances. All accidents occurred in the Salt Lake County area. In nearly all cases, Monjazeb intentionally collided with or placed his vehicle in a position where the accident was a complete certainty.

Monjazeb would aggressively assert that the other driver was at fault and would intimidate them to the point that they would sign prepared statements that they were at fault in the accident. Monjazeb would push the victims for a cash settlement without calling police. When police were called, they placed the victim at fault based on the assertions of Monjazeb.

Monjazeb’s vehicles all had pre-existing damages which he blamed on the accident. The victim vehicles usually had very minimal damage with repairs being paid for out of pocket, while Monjazeb’s vehicles had thousands of dollars in damages paid for by the victim’s insurance company.

Monjazeb collected the insurance money while electing to not have the damage repaired or claiming to have repaired the vehicle himself. Monjazeb exaggerated his damages and provided forged repair documents to increase his payouts from insurance.

Insurance companies paid for the same damages from accident to accident. In total, Monjazeb was paid over $55,000 from insurance carriers alone. It is unknown how many additional accidents may have occurred wherein police and insurance carriers were not contacted and victims paid Monjazeb in cash.

Press Release
Utah Man Arrested, Charged for Intentional Auto Accidents