Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage, so you need a separate policy if you live in an earthquake-prone area

If an earthquake damages your house, your regular homeowners insurance will not pay for it. Earthquake damage is excluded from standard policies because the risk is too large and unpredictable for insurers to bundle it with fire, theft, and weather claims. Instead, you buy earthquake insurance as an add-on — either through your homeowners insurer or through a state-run pool if private insurers will not cover your address.

Earthquake insurance covers structural damage to your home and the cost to repair or rebuild it. It also covers damage to permanent fixtures like built-in cabinets, and in some policies, your personal belongings inside the house. What it does not cover: damage from landslides or tsunamis (separate policies exist for those), and usually not damage to pools, patios, or detached structures like garages or sheds.

The cost and terms vary widely by location, home age, and construction type. A house built on soft soil in California will pay more than an identical house in a lower-risk zone. Older homes and those with unreinforced masonry cost more to insure. Most policies come with a deductible — typically 10, 15, or 20 percent of your home's insured value — which means you pay that percentage of any claim yourself before insurance kicks in.

Key Takeaways

  • Earthquake insurance is sold separately from homeowners insurance and must be purchased as an add-on to your existing policy or through your state's earthquake insurance pool.
  • The policy covers structural damage to your home and permanent fixtures, but not damage from landslides, tsunamis, or detached structures like garages.
  • Deductibles are typically 10 to 20 percent of your home's insured value, meaning you pay that share of any claim yourself.
  • Premiums depend on your location, home age, construction type, and soil conditions — not all addresses are available through private insurers.
  • If private insurers will not cover your home, your state's earthquake insurance pool (California FAIR Plan, for example) offers coverage as a last resort, usually at higher cost.

How earthquake insurance deductibles work differently than other insurance

Most insurance uses a fixed dollar deductible — you pay $500 or $1,000 out of pocket, then insurance covers the rest. Earthquake insurance uses a percentage deductible instead. If your home is insured for $400,000 and you choose a 15 percent deductible, you pay $60,000 of any earthquake claim yourself. The insurer then pays the remaining damage up to the policy limit.

This structure exists because earthquake damage is often severe and widespread. A single earthquake can damage thousands of homes at once, so insurers need policyholders to absorb a meaningful share of the risk. The higher your deductible percentage, the lower your premium. A 10 percent deductible costs less than a 15 percent one, which costs less than 20 percent. You choose the trade-off that fits your budget and risk tolerance.

Some insurers offer a hybrid option: a percentage deductible for structural damage and a smaller fixed deductible for personal belongings inside the home. Read your policy documents to see which structure applies to you.

What earthquake insurance costs and what affects the price

Earthquake insurance premiums vary dramatically by location and home characteristics. In California, a typical single-family home might pay $300 to $800 per year, but this depends entirely on the specific address, soil type, and distance from fault lines. A home in a high-risk zone near the San Francisco Bay Area could pay significantly more. In lower-risk states like New York or Ohio, premiums are often $100 to $300 per year for the same coverage level.

Your home's age and construction type matter as much as location. A wood-frame house built after 1980 costs less to insure than a brick or unreinforced masonry home built in 1950. Homes with a concrete foundation bolted to the foundation cost less than those sitting on a cripple wall (a short wall between the foundation and first floor). Some insurers will not cover very old homes or certain construction types at any price.

Soil conditions also affect cost. Homes built on soft clay or landfill experience more shaking than homes on bedrock, so they cost more to insure. Your insurer may require a soil report or engineering assessment before quoting a price, especially for older homes in high-risk areas.

How to get earthquake insurance through a private insurer

Start by calling your current homeowners insurance company and asking whether they offer earthquake coverage in your state. Most large insurers — State Farm, Allstate, Geico, and others — sell earthquake policies, but not all offer coverage in all areas. Your agent can tell you when ready whether your address is available and what the premium would be.

If your insurer does not cover your address, ask for a list of other companies that do. Your state's insurance commissioner's office maintains a directory of insurers licensed to sell earthquake coverage. You can also contact your state's insurance department directly — they can point you to carriers that serve your zip code.

Once you find an insurer willing to cover you, you will need to provide your home's age, construction type, and square footage. Some insurers require a home inspection or engineering report, especially for older homes. The insurer will then quote a premium and deductible options. You can add the policy to your existing homeowners insurance or purchase it separately, depending on the insurer.

State earthquake insurance pools and when you need them

If private insurers will not cover your home, your state's earthquake insurance pool offers coverage as a last resort. California's program is called the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). Other states have similar pools, though not all states offer them — the availability depends on state law and market conditions.

State pools typically charge higher premiums than private insurers because they cover the highest-risk properties that private companies rejected. Coverage limits and deductible options may also be more limited. But if you cannot get coverage elsewhere, the pool is your only option for earthquake insurance.

To access your state's pool, contact your homeowners insurer and ask how the process works. Some states require you to be denied by a private insurer first; others let you explore directly. The process usually takes two to four weeks. Once you are accepted, the pool will send you a policy and bill you for the premium.

What earthquake insurance does and does not cover

Earthquake insurance covers damage to the structure of your home caused by ground shaking, including foundation cracks, collapsed walls, and damage to the roof. It covers permanent fixtures like built-in shelving, kitchen cabinets, and attached decks. Many policies also cover personal belongings inside the home — furniture, electronics, clothing — up to a stated limit, though this coverage is optional and costs extra.

The policy does not cover damage from earthquakes that trigger other disasters. If an earthquake causes a landslide that destroys your home, earthquake insurance will not pay — you would need a separate landslide policy. Similarly, if an earthquake triggers a tsunami that damages your coastal home, tsunami damage is excluded. Earthquake insurance also does not cover damage to pools, hot tubs, or detached structures like garages or sheds, though some insurers offer separate coverage for these.

Loss of use coverage — the cost to live elsewhere while your home is repaired — is sometimes included and sometimes optional. Check your policy to see whether temporary housing costs are covered and up to what limit.

Deciding whether you need earthquake insurance

The decision depends on three factors: your location's earthquake risk, your home's value, and your ability to pay for repairs out of pocket. If you live in California, Oregon, Washington, or other high-risk zones, the risk is real. If you live in a low-risk state like Florida or Kansas, the risk is minimal and many people choose not to buy it.

Consider what you would do if an earthquake caused $100,000 in damage to your home. If you could not pay that from savings or a loan, earthquake insurance protects you. If you have substantial savings and could absorb the loss, you might skip it. Some people buy a high-deductible policy as a compromise — it costs less but still protects against catastrophic damage.

Talk to your homeowners insurance agent about your specific address and home. They can tell you the actual premium and help you think through the trade-off between cost and protection. If you are buying a home in an earthquake-prone area, ask the seller's insurance agent what they paid — that gives you a real number to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does earthquake insurance cover damage from aftershocks?

Yes. Aftershocks are considered part of the same earthquake event, so damage from aftershocks is covered under the same policy and deductible as the main quake. You do not pay a separate deductible for each aftershock.

Can I get earthquake insurance if my home is very old?

It depends on the home's age, construction type, and condition. Very old homes or those with unreinforced masonry may be rejected by private insurers, but your state's earthquake insurance pool usually covers them at a higher premium. Contact your state's pool directly to ask about your specific property.

What happens if I let my earthquake insurance lapse?

If your policy expires and you do not renew it, you have no coverage for earthquake damage. If an earthquake occurs while you are uninsured, your homeowners insurance will not pay. You can restart coverage at any time by contacting your insurer or your state's pool, but there may be a waiting period before the new policy takes effect.

Does earthquake insurance cover my personal belongings?

Personal property coverage is optional and varies by insurer. Some policies include it automatically; others require you to add it for an extra premium. Check your policy documents or ask your agent whether your belongings are covered and up to what limit.

Will my homeowners insurance go up if I add earthquake coverage?

No. Earthquake insurance is a separate policy with its own premium. Adding it does not affect your homeowners insurance rate. You pay one bill for homeowners insurance and a separate bill for earthquake coverage.