Which is why I bought earthquake insurance...
Depending on where you live, it may not matter.
If you haven't researched the Cascade fault, I'd recommend it. I'll see if I can find the web site that discusses it.
Essentially, when the Cascade fault slips, it is massively destructive, creating a tsunami that they believe reached Japan 500 years ago, and dropping large chunks of the land into the water. The difference between this and other quakes is that the other quakes are quick, short jolts lasting only about a half minute. They say when the Cascade goes, it will last at least 5 minutes, which will create a series of massive waves through the earth's crust. Earthquake-reinforced buildings are built to withstand a jolt. They can't withstand the waves, though, and most will come down.