Claims are expected to follow the earthquake in California which left two dead and 40,000 people without electricity, as well as damaging more than 80 buildings.
The earthquake, which measured 6.5 on the Richter Ssale, centred on the central valley wine-growing area of California.
The US Geological Survey recorded more than 30 aftershocks from the quake, some of them measuring up to 4 on the Richter scale.
Geologists said the damage to the region had been limited because the epicentre was five miles below ground, absorbing much of the quakes destructive force.
The US Geological Survey said an earthquake of similar size located under a city such as Los Angeles or San Francisco could have caused billions of pounds worth of damage.
The 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles measured 6.7 on the Richter Scale and left 57 dead and 1,500 injured. It also caused US$12.5bn (£7bn) worth of damage.
