Earthquake Coverage    Get a Quote

(Courtesy USGS)

Q: How do I decide whether or not to get earthquake insurance?

A: You should consider the following factors when deciding whether or not to get earthquake insurance:

• proximity to active earthquake faults

• seismic history of the region (frequency of earthquake time since last earthquake

• building construction (type of building. and foundation
  architectural layout materials used)

• quality of workmanship

• extent to which earthquake resistance was considered by the designer

• local site conditions (type and condition of soil)
  slope of the land

• fill material

• geologic structure of the earth beneath

• annual rainfall

• value of the building and its contents

• cost of the insurance and restrictions on coverage (i.e. the deductible).

California Earthquake Authority (CEA)

(Courtesy the CEA)

The CEA was formed to provide earthquake insurance to residential property owners including homeowners, individual condominium unit owners, mobile homeowners, and renters. 

Your dwelling must be covered according to the CEA policy guidelines; however, other structures such as outbuildings, swimming pools, and masonry fences are specifically excluded (as is the case with the majority of earthquake policies).

You cannot purchase earthquake coverage directly from the CEA. The CEA does not offer stand-alone earthquake policies. Only licensed California insurers who are CEA member companies can sell CEA policies. You must have a residential property policy in-force or be purchasing a new residential property policy from a CEA member insurer in order to be offered a CEA policy.