M4.7 earthquake in Jamaica fails to trigger Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility policy

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck just off the southwest coast of Jamaica on the 16th May. The event was felt widely across western Jamaica and it was the latest in a series of tremors to affect the Caribbean island. No extensive damage or deaths were recorded although the ground was reported to have shaken for several seconds.

Reports indicated that several buildings in the Kingston area were evacuated and some cracks were observed in buildings in downtown Kingston near the waterfront. That area of Kingston is built on reclaimed land and as such is most likely subject to potential liquefaction which can amplify the severity of any shaking from earthquakes.

Jamaica have coverage for earthquakes under the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility. The policy they have with the CCRIF was not triggered as losses to the government were below the policy attachment point.