Earthquake insurance covers damage to your home, personal belongings, and additional living expenses caused by an earthquake - none of which is covered by a standard homeowners policy. Many areas of the country sit near active fault systems, and even regions not typically associated with earthquakes can experience seismic events, making earthquake coverage a genuinely important consideration for homeowners.
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Who needs earthquake insurance?
If you own a home in or near a seismic zone, earthquake insurance deserves serious consideration. Fault systems like the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the San Andreas Fault, and the Cascadia Subduction Zone affect millions of homeowners across the country. The USGS identifies earthquake risk in many states that homeowners might not expect. A moderate earthquake can cause significant structural damage, particularly to older homes, homes on poor soil, and masonry construction. Most homeowners in earthquake-prone areas do not carry earthquake coverage because they have never experienced a damaging quake - but that is exactly the kind of low-frequency, high-severity risk that insurance is designed for. In our experience, the cost of earthquake coverage is modest relative to the potential loss.
What does earthquake insurance cover?
- Damage to your home's structure - foundation, walls, roof, chimney, and attached structures
- Personal property damage caused by earthquake - furniture, electronics, appliances damaged by shaking or collapse
- Additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable after an earthquake
- Other structures on your property - detached garage, shed, fence
- Broken plumbing, gas lines, and electrical systems caused by seismic activity
- Emergency stabilization and temporary repairs
What earthquake insurance does NOT cover
- Fire following an earthquake - this is actually covered by your standard homeowners policy
- Flood or tsunami caused by an earthquake - requires a separate flood policy
- Land damage, sinkholes, and changes to your lot's topography
- Vehicles damaged by earthquake - covered under auto comprehensive coverage
- Landscaping, swimming pools (some carriers offer limited coverage), and exterior property
- Pre-existing structural damage or deferred maintenance that earthquake shaking worsens
What does earthquake insurance cost?
Earthquake insurance typically costs $100–$800 per year, depending on your home's construction type, foundation, age, coverage amount, and deductible. The most important cost factor is the deductible, which is expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage - typically 5%, 10%, or 15%. On a home insured for $300,000, a 10% earthquake deductible means you pay the first $30,000 of damage out of pocket. Choosing a higher deductible significantly reduces premium. Masonry homes (brick) cost more to insure for earthquake because they are more vulnerable to shaking than wood-frame construction. We can add earthquake coverage as an endorsement to your homeowners policy with some carriers, or write a standalone earthquake policy with others.
Frequently asked questions
More likely than most homeowners realize. The USGS identifies seismic risk across much of the country - not just California. Fault systems like the New Madrid zone in the central U.S., the Wasatch Front, and the Cascadia zone in the Pacific Northwest all pose significant risk. Smaller earthquakes occur regularly in many regions, most too small to feel. While a major event is less likely in any given year, a moderate earthquake capable of causing significant structural damage is a realistic possibility within a homeowner's lifetime. Check the USGS seismic hazard maps to understand your specific risk.
Earthquake deductibles are percentage-based (typically 5–15% of dwelling coverage) rather than flat dollar amounts because earthquake damage tends to be widespread, affecting many properties simultaneously - similar to hurricane deductibles in coastal areas. On a $300,000 home, a 10% deductible means $30,000 out of pocket before coverage kicks in. This structure keeps premiums affordable but means earthquake insurance is designed for severe damage, not cosmetic cracks. Choosing a 5% deductible roughly doubles your premium compared to 15%, so the deductible choice is the biggest pricing lever.
Yes. Unreinforced masonry - including older brick homes common in many established neighborhoods - is the most vulnerable construction type in an earthquake. Brick walls can crack, crumble, and collapse under seismic shaking because masonry is strong in compression but weak under lateral forces. Wood-frame homes are more flexible and tend to perform better. If your home is brick, earthquake insurance is particularly important, and you may want to consult a structural engineer about retrofitting options like foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing.
Your standard homeowners policy specifically excludes earthquake damage to your home and belongings. However, it does cover fire damage even if the fire was caused by an earthquake - for example, a gas line rupture that ignites after seismic shaking. It also covers water damage from burst pipes, as long as the damage is from the pipe rupture itself and not from earth movement. But the structural damage from shaking - cracked foundations, collapsed chimneys, shifted walls - is entirely excluded without earthquake coverage.
Earthquake policies typically take effect immediately or within a few days of purchase, but carriers may impose moratoriums on new policies after significant seismic activity in the region. Unlike the 30-day waiting period for flood insurance, earthquake policies generally do not have a standard waiting period - but that can change quickly if seismic activity increases. The best time to buy earthquake coverage is before you need it, when you have full access to all carriers and the most competitive pricing.
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Related coverage to consider
- Home Insurance - Covers your home's structure, personal belongings, and liability if someone is injured on your property.
- Flood Insurance - Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
- Umbrella Insurance - Adds an extra layer of liability protection above your home and auto policy limits.
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Reviewed by
Sheilia Royal, Agency Principal / Licensed Agent
Licensed in KY, IN & TN | 20 years experience | Last reviewed: March 2026