Earthquake Insurance

Geo depth: Class A

Earthquake insurance covers structural and personal-property damage caused by earthquakes, which standard homeowners policies generally exclude. It's typically purchased as a standalone policy or an endorsement and is most common in seismically active regions.

Compare Earthquake Insurance rates

What is earthquake insurance?

Earthquake coverage typically pays for structural damage and, if added, personal property damage caused by earth movement, and is usually written either as a standalone policy or as an endorsement added to a homeowners policy — standard homeowners coverage almost always excludes earthquake damage outright.

Earthquake policies commonly carry a percentage-based deductible (a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount, rather than a flat dollar figure), which can be substantially higher than a typical homeowners deductible — understanding how that deductible is calculated matters as much as the coverage limit itself.

What affects your earthquake insurance cost

Typical costs vary significantly by state, provider, and personal factors — {{VERIFY: national average earthquake insurance premium not yet sourced}}. Rather than a single number, the factors below are what actually move your quote up or down.

Seismic risk of the property's location and proximity to known fault lines
Home's construction type, age, and foundation type
Whether the home has been seismically retrofitted
Dwelling coverage amount insured
Percentage-based deductible selected
Personal property coverage added, if any

How to compare earthquake insurance providers

Price is only one part of the decision. Before choosing a provider, compare each of the following side by side:

Coverage limits, and exactly what's included or excluded
Deductible options and how a higher or lower deductible changes the premium
Financial strength ratings from an independent rating agency (e.g., AM Best, S&P, Moody's) — an indicator of an insurer's ability to pay future claims
Customer service and claims-handling reputation, including complaint-ratio data where a state Department of Insurance publishes it
Available discounts and bundling options
Confirmation that the carrier is licensed to write this coverage in your state

Explore earthquake insurance by state

Coverage requirements and licensed carriers for earthquake insurance vary by state. Here are a few popular starting points, or browse the full state directory below.

Earthquake Insurance FAQ

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?

No — standard homeowners policies almost universally exclude earthquake damage. Coverage requires a standalone earthquake policy or a specific endorsement added to your homeowners policy.

How is the earthquake insurance deductible different from a standard homeowners deductible?

Earthquake deductibles are commonly expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage amount rather than a flat dollar figure, which can mean a substantially larger out-of-pocket amount than a typical homeowners deductible. {{VERIFY: typical percentage-deductible ranges}} — confirm the exact structure with a specific carrier.

Is earthquake insurance only relevant in California?

No — while California is the most commonly associated state, seismic risk and earthquake insurance availability extend to other regions as well. Whether it's worth considering depends on your property's specific seismic risk, not just which state you're in.

Ready to see earthquake insurance options?

Compare providers side by side using the factors above, then see options tailored to your state and situation.