As zombie culture continues to rise, so does the idea of zombie insurance. While it sounds absurd or funny, understanding how your insurance policy that you presently have in place could work during a zombie apocalypse is a vital part of being fully prepared.
It may (or may not) ever happen. What would I do in a zombie apocalypse? Maybe you’ve grown up watching zombie movies, or you’re a fan of shows like The Walking Dead or the newly released The Last of Us. No matter your background in zombie lore, the question still stands: are you prepared in case of a zombie apocalypse?
We were curious about which states are the most and least prepared and analyzed more than 1,000 Google search terms to determine that ranking. We also surveyed more than 1,000 Americans on zombies and what they might do in case of a zombie apocalypse.
What is Zombie Insurance?
As the name implies, zombie insurance refers to coverage that protects individuals against damages and losses that occur during the zombie apocalypse. While insurance policies don’t specifically detail zombies, many cover contingencies that could arise during such an event, which, in fact, encompasses zombies.
- Homeowners insurance: Most homeowners’ insurance policies are written on an open-perils basis, meaning all damages are covered unless distinctly excluded. If, for example, a band of zombies were to attack your building – probably, this would be covered, too, since the costs of repairs are compensated as long as ‘damage caused by zombies’ is not mentioned in the exclusions section of policy and coverage.
- Life Insurance Provisions: Life insurance policies can be very complicated when it comes to unique scenarios such as the zombie apocalypse. Policies may not cover death due to an individual zombie attack, but with life insurance, your family is assured financial coverage in case the unimaginable happens.
- Health Insurance: In the event of a zombie bite or injury sustained during an apocalypse, health insurance would be essential for covering medical expenses. Policies should ideally include provisions for emergency treatment and potential long-term care if you were to face complications from a zombie-related incident
Why Should You Consider Coverage?
Although the risk of a zombie apocalypse ever occurring is minimal, it is better to be safe than sorry. Why should you opt for coverage specifically designed for such events? Here is some information:
- Financial Security: Adequate insurance can provide peace of mind, knowing that you are financially protected against unforeseen disasters, real or fictional.
- Comprehensive Preparedness: By learning how your existing policies work in extreme cases, you are likely to secure yourself for the worst-case scenario.
- Legal Protection: A property or personal injury will make the chances of litigating against the zombie apocalypse extremely real. Therefore, it is wise to have liability coverage for such events.
Medical Treatment: Health insurance allows for easy access to healing procedures if injuries come up as a result of zombie encounters or if one gets sick due to some infected resource.
Which States are the Most Prepared for Zombies?
Wyoming is the number one state ready to take on zombies. In case of a zombie apocalypse, it’s definitely an advantage not to live in a populated state. A mountainous state in the West would be a great place to avoid zombies (and other people).
Right behind Wyoming is Alaska, another state where it’s easy to be prepared for a zombie apocalypse. As long as bears and moose don’t turn into zombies, you’ll likely also be able to ride out an apocalypse. People in Vermont, North Dakota, and South Dakota are also among the top five states most prepared for a zombie apocalypse.
California is the least prepared state to face a zombie apocalypse. Especially for those living near heavily populated cities like Los Angeles or San Francisco, now is the time to prepare.
Other states you should avoid in case of zombies include Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. In recent years, there’s been an uptick in Google searches related to a zombie apocalypse.
- Nationwide, between March 2019 and March 2021, there was a 41,594% increase in searches for “CDC zombie apocalypse”.
- A 2,082% increase in searches for “preparing for zombie apocalypse,”
- A 1,025% increase in searches for “when will zombie apocalypse happen,”
- A 120% increase in searches for “apocalypse weapons.”
When (If) Zombies Attack
More than 1 in 10 Americans think a zombie apocalypse is inevitable. It will happen one day, but when? More than half of the respondents who believe in the eventual apocalypse think it will happen sometime within the next 30 years. If a zombie apocalypse were to occur, that outbreak would have to start somewhere.
Americans think the outbreak may originate from California, as it’s the state that’s the least prepared for the apocalypse. In addition, they believe an outbreak may begin in Florida, New York, Texas, and Georgia. Nearly a quarter of Americans don’t find it weird or unusual to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, and more than 1 in 10 already have food stockpiled for such an emergency.
If you want to begin to prepare, collecting weapons may be a good place to start. The top 10 weapons Americans would use in a zombie apocalypse include shotguns, handguns, baseball bats, machetes, crossbows, swords, axes, knives, grenades, and katanas.
Killing Zombies 101
Knowing how to kill a zombie is vital for surviving an apocalypse. Approximately 53% of Americans know how to kill a zombie. However, would you kill a loved one if they were turned? Sixty-six percent of Americans say yes; they would. And when it comes to killing zombies—an exerting task—how many do you think you could kill in one day?
On average, Americans say they could kill 39 zombies.One in five believe scientists know more about zombies than what has been released publicly; another one in five believe the government knows more than it lets on. Who knows? Although you might eventually end up alone if you survive long enough, there are people you would trust and rely on to make it through.
For most Americans, the people they trust most are themselves. Other trusted individuals include friends, fathers, brothers, mothers, and pets. But people are also realistic; most Americans think they wouldn’t survive a zombie apocalypse and say they would most likely be the first to die. Other people who might be the first casualties include their mother, pet, grandma, or coworker. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Most Realistic Zombies
Whether or not a zombie apocalypse will eventually happen, portrayals of these non-living creatures will continue gracing our television screens. Watching these portrayals can help you prepare; maybe the zombies from one show can run while those from another need multiple blows to the brain to fully “die?”When thinking about what zombies might look like, Americans believe those from The Walking Dead are the most realistic. Other “realistic” zombies include those from 28 Days Later, World War Z, I Am Legend, and Zombieland. No matter what these zombies might look like, being prepared—insurance included—is always wise…just in case.
Methodology
To rank the states, we analyzed 1,289 Google search terms relating to zombie apocalypses from January 2019 through December 2022. We compared the average number of monthly searches against each state’s population per 100,000 residents. In January 2023, we surveyed 1,047 Americans for their feedback on zombies and preparing for such an event.
Respondents were 48% female, 49% male, and 3% non-binary/non-conforming, with an age range of 18 to 79 years old and an average age of 40. For inquiries, contact media@insuranks.com we will sort you out.
