The spate of earthquakes the past couple of years makes it even more important that Oklahoma follow California and Alabama's lead with such research, he said.

Doak said the Insurance Department could take the lead in a multiagency project or conduct a study itself.

“California's study led to the creation of the California Earthquake Authority and the Alabama study resulted in the implementation of the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association, which help to provide catastrophe-related insurance products. The study would look at the perils that are specific to Oklahoma, such as tornadoes, wind storms, ice and freezing rain,” Doak said.

But earthquakes, and insurance companies' willingness and ability to cover them, were on the table when Doak mentioned a study. He said the increase in temblors the past few years — including one felt in the Oklahoma City area on Jan 14, 2010, and another, more powerful one Oct. 13, “almost begs the bigger question.”

Earthquakes are a “concern” here, Doak said, because of numerous faults running through Oklahoma. Earthquakes actually are common in the state, with most activity historically centered at Meers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey — but most can't be felt.