NILES — Friday morning's earthquake shook many people's homes in the Midwest. But for some uninsured Hoosiers, it also shook their nerves.

Local insurance agents say they got phone calls Friday asking for something unusual — earthquake insurance.

Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan aren't on a fault line, but the area could still see severe damage from an earthquake if it's big enough.

Geologists say South Bend has a 10 percent chance of being hit hard by an earthquake within the next 50 years.

That has many people re-thinking earthquake insurance.

Friday morning's tremors bring back some old memories for some people.

"I remember hearing mom say, 'Did you feel that?' and all the glass shaking in the cupboards. I really felt it," said Conrad Gaedtke, a Niles resident who remembers the 1968 earthquake.

That first impression is still with Gaedtke — 40 years later.

"When we built the home, I said I wanted earthquake insurance. And I got laughed at, giggled at by family and friends," he said.

IU South Bend geology professor Henry Scott says it's no laughing matter.

"You don't need to be on a fault. Earthquake waves travel very effectively," he said.

There are two fault zones nearby — the Wabash Valley Fault Zone along the southern Illinois and Indiana state line, and the New Madrid Fault Zone in southern Missouri, western Kentucky, western Tennessee, and northeastern Arkansas.

Scott says larger earthquakes starting in the those fault zones can cause considerable damage here.

"We are in enough of a threat that we should be factoring the earthquake risk in the construction of buildings," he said.

Local insurance agents say most people don't have earthquake insurance on their homes and rarely ask about it unless they feel the tremors.

Several insurance agents say they got a dozen phone calls after the earthquake Friday morning.

"It made me think the laughing and giggling I heard was worth it," said Gaedtke.

His plan started at $11 a year. Now, it's just $30 a year.

"It's really cheap," said Gaedtke.

And it gives him peace of mind knowing his finances and home won't go to shambles.

"With it, I'd be able to live here," said Gaedtke.

Not sure if you have earthquake insurance? Check with your agent.

Local agents say many people who purchased premium plans more than 10 years ago have earthquake insurance.

If you don't have it but want it, most companies can't add on the coverage until one or two weeks after the earthquake.