Fine Print Guide

Your home and things · Policy or add-on

Earthquake insurance

Covers damage from an earthquake's shaking, which standard home policies exclude. It's bought as a separate policy or an add-on.

Who it's for
Anyone in an earthquake region: the West Coast, Alaska, and parts of the central US near the New Madrid fault. In California it's commonly sold through the California Earthquake Authority.
Is it required?
Not by law. Lenders rarely require it.

Usually covered

  • Damage to the house from shaking, like cracked foundations and walls
  • Your belongings, if you choose that coverage
  • Extra living costs while the home is repaired

Usually not covered

  • The first 10 to 20% of the dwelling limit, the typical deductible
  • Flooding caused by the quake, including tsunami. That's a flood policy.
  • Your car, which comprehensive covers
  • Landslides, mudflow and sinkholes, which need separate coverage

Real-life examples

An earthquake cracks your chimney and foundation.

Usually covered

Covered by the earthquake policy, above its deductible. With a $500,000 limit and a 15% deductible, you pay the first $75,000.

The shaking breaks a gas line and your house catches fire.

Usually covered

Fire is covered by your regular home policy even when an earthquake caused it.

Good to know

Why the deductible is so high

A big earthquake damages thousands of homes at once, so insurers share the risk with you through a percentage deductible. It still protects you from a total loss, which is what would be hardest to recover from.

Check your own policy

Find these on your policy or declarations page, or ask your agent:

  • Deductible percentage and what it is in dollars
  • Whether belongings and living costs are included
  • Whether retrofitting discounts apply

Not sure where to look? See how to read your policy.

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