Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Earthquakes?
Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t typically cover earthquake damage. To protect your home, you’ll likely need separate earthquake insurance or an added endorsement, and retrofitting your home may help lower your premium.
A home is often a person’s biggest asset. Earthquakes are a natural disaster that can strike without warning, causing serious damage to homes and properties. In the U.S., earthquakes can occur in all 50 states and U.S. territories, meaning they’re a risk no matter where you live.
While homeowners insurance provides coverage for many types of damage, earthquakes are often not included. So, if you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you might be wondering if your homeowners insurance will protect you from the costly repairs that come with it. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, I’ll guide you on whether your policy covers earthquake damage and what options you have to protect your home.
Key Takeaways
Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by land movement or landslides.
Although homeowners and renters insurance typically don’t cover damage caused directly by earthquakes, they usually do cover losses from fire, explosions, or theft that happen as a result of earth movement.
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, your insurance provider might offer a separate earthquake policy or an earthquake endorsement that you can add to your current coverage for an extra cost.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Earthquakes?
Earthquakes are unpredictable and can cause significant damage to your home, leaving you wondering if your insurance will help. While homeowners insurance covers many types of damage, it generally doesn’t include earthquakes. This means you may need additional coverage to protect your property from earthquake-related losses.
If you live in an area at risk for earthquakes, you can purchase a separate earthquake policy or add an earthquake endorsement to your existing homeowners insurance for extra protection. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for options.
Additional Coverage For Earthquakes
Although earthquakes can’t be predicted, you can take steps to protect yourself financially. By setting up a safety net, you can be ready for the unexpected.
Traditional Earthquake Insurance
Traditional earthquake insurance covers the damage caused by an earthquake by assessing the loss and reimbursing you for the value of the items lost or destroyed. The insurance will pay out based on the replacement cost or actual cash value, depending on your policy. The amount you receive can vary based on the value of your home, its contents, and your coverage limits.
While this insurance is more common, it often comes with a deductible and may not cover everything, like the cost of living elsewhere if your home is damaged beyond repair.
Parametric Insurance
Parametric insurance is a newer approach to earthquake coverage. Unlike traditional policies, it doesn’t require an assessment of the actual damage. Instead, it uses predetermined criteria, such as the intensity of the earthquake or ground shaking, to trigger payments.
For example, if an earthquake reaches a certain level of intensity, payments will be made automatically once the criteria are met and verified by a third party. This type of insurance can be faster in terms of payouts because it doesn’t rely on assessing each individual loss, making it more efficient in certain situations. However, it only covers the agreed-upon parameters and may not be as comprehensive as traditional insurance.
Note: In the U.S., especially in California, retrofitting your home can make it more resistant to earthquake damage and may lower your earthquake insurance premiums.
Retrofitting often includes bolting the house to its foundation and reinforcing walls and roofs. Properly completed retrofits may qualify for insurance discounts, and grants are occasionally available. A typical retrofit can cost a few thousand dollars but can save you money and better protect your home in the long run.
Where Can I Get Earthquake Insurance For My Home?
You can get earthquake insurance for your home from several places:
Your Current Home Insurance Company: Many home insurance companies offer earthquake coverage as an addition to your existing policy. Ask your current provider if they offer this option.
Companies Specializing in Earthquake Insurance: Some companies focus only on earthquake insurance. They may offer standalone earthquake policies or additional coverage.
State-Run Earthquake Insurance Programs: In certain states with high earthquake risk, like California, there are government-run programs that provide earthquake insurance. For example, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) offers coverage for California residents.
Note: You can also talk to an independent insurance agent or broker who can help you find earthquake insurance from different companies.
What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?
Earthquake insurance typically covers damage to your home and belongings caused by an earthquake. This includes:
Damage to your home: It covers repairs to your house if it is cracked, damaged, or collapsed due to an earthquake.
Personal property: It helps pay for the replacement of items inside your home, like furniture, electronics, and clothes, if they’re damaged by an earthquake.
Additional living expenses: If your home is uninhabitable after an earthquake, this insurance can cover temporary living costs, such as hotel bills.
Note: Earthquake insurance usually doesn’t cover damage from other events like floods, landslides, or fires caused by the earthquake. You should check your policy to see exactly what is covered.
Earthquake Insurance Deductibles
A deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. For earthquake insurance, deductibles are typically 10% to 20% of your coverage limit. For example, if your home is insured for $300,000, a 10% deductible would mean you pay $30,000 before your insurance covers the rest.
Depending on your policy, there may also be separate deductibles for different types of damage, such as the structure of your home and personal belongings. It’s important that you check these details before you take out coverage, or ask your insurance agent.
Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?
Whether earthquake insurance is worth it depends on where you live and how likely earthquakes are in your area. If you live in a place with a high risk of earthquakes, like California, Alaska, or parts of the Pacific Northwest, earthquake insurance can be very helpful. It protects your home and belongings from expensive damage that regular homeowners insurance doesn’t cover.
FAQs
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?
No, standard homeowners insurance usually doesn’t cover earthquake damage. If you want coverage for earthquakes, you will need to buy separate earthquake insurance or add an earthquake endorsement to your policy.
What does earthquake insurance cover?
Earthquake insurance typically covers damage to your home, personal property, and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to an earthquake. It helps repair your home and replace damaged items inside.
Is earthquake insurance expensive?
The cost of earthquake insurance depends on where you live and how much coverage you need. In areas with high earthquake risk, like California, the insurance can be more expensive. It’s a good idea to compare prices from different providers to find the best deal.
Sources
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- NC Department of Insurance – Earthquake Coverage
- FEMA – Earthquake Insurance
- California Department of Insurance – Earthquake Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute – Earthquake Insurance for Homeowners
- NAIC – Understanding Earthquake Deductibles
