Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?

Homeowners insurance protects homeowners from damage to their home and property from covered events.

But what does that mean for homeowners concerned about earthquake damage?

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes
Earthquakes are not a covered event under homeowners insurance and require a separate policy. For California homeowners, earthquake insurance is available from the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

Homeowners will need separate earthquake insurance. Homeowners insurance covers your property from damage, referred to as insurance perils. A peril is an event that may damage your home or belongings.

Most homeowners insurance covers named perils, which are events that are specifically listed in your insurance policy. Common insurance perils include fire, lightning, theft, ice, snow, sleet, wind, hail, smoke, vandalism, and freezing.

Earthquakes, floods, government seizures, mudslides, ordinance updates, sewer backups and sinkholes are all perils that will not be covered by homeowners insurance, according to Hippo Insurance. Those will require an add-on rider or separate coverage.

Coverage Included with Homeowners Insurance
Dwelling/Structure Yes
Personal liability Yes
Personal belongings Yes
Loss of Use (additional living expenses) Yes
High-end electronics/special jewelry Limited, requires add-on*
Equipment breakdown Yes*
Electrical outage Yes*
Service lines Yes*
Cyber liability Yes*
Water damage Yes
Flood No**
Wind or hail Yes, but not high winds***
Earthquakes No*
Pets Yes*


*Available as add-on coverage if not part of policy
**Flood insurance is available through the NFIP and approved insurers
***If you live in hurricane or tornado areas, additional windstorm rider may be required


What is earthquake insurance
California residents are accustomed to earthquakes. However, earthquake insurance is not required for California homeowners, according to the California Department of Insurance, but “if you have homeowners insurance in California, your company must offer to sell you earthquake insurance.”

Earthquake insurance, also known as “earth movement” coverage, refers to shifts in land resulting from an earthquake, according to Steve Wilson, senior underwriting manager at Hippo Insurance. Aftershocks happen after an earthquake and can occur over a period of time up to 72 hours.

FEMA has earthquake hazard maps that show the intensity and likelihood of seismic activity across the country. Even if you don’t live near a fault line, seismic activity can happen, as seen in Oklahoma due to oil drilling activity, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

For homeowners who live in areas where earthquakes are rare, Wilson said most homeowner policy language offers coverage for “resulting damage.” For example, in New York City, earthquakes aren’t covered but if an earthquake caused a fire, damage from the fire will be covered.

It’s best to talk to your homeowners insurance carrier to determine if you need “earth movement” coverage or if standard homeowners insurance is enough.

How much is earthquake insurance
According to the Insurance Information Institute, “rates for earthquake insurance can vary significantly [and] deductibles for earthquake insurance plans are higher than those in standard homeowners or renters insurance, usually from 5 to 15 percent of the policy limit.”

If you are a California resident and are having a hard time finding earthquake coverage, it’s available from the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

Will homeowners insurance cover relocation
Loss of use” coverage, also known as “additional living expenses” or ALE, is included in most homeowners insurance policies and provides reimbursement for temporary housing when a peril causes damage that makes your home inhabitable.

For “loss of use” and “additional living expenses,” much depends on your insurance carrier and it varies by provider. Some carriers will reimburse you for temporary housing. Others may have a list of housing alternatives.

Don’t assume that your insurance carrier will pay additional living expenses, because the definition of inhabitable varies by company. If you’re considering leaving your home due to damage, contact your homeowners or renters insurance provider first and take detailed pictures of the damage. Make sure to lock up and secure the premises as well.

What to do if you experience earthquake damage
After experiencing a disaster, Wilson recommends staying in touch with your homeowners insurance company to let them know what’s going on at your home and take the following steps when submitting insurance claims:

1. Contact the insurance carrier to file a claim in a timely manner. Your carrier may provide a list of contractors and offer advice on do-it-yourself tips to prevent further damage.
2. Take pictures of the damage before disposal and cleanup.
3. Beware of price-gouging contractors and door-to-door scammers. Ask contractors for their license and insurance credentials to avoid fraud.
4. Prevent further damage to your property. Don’t do something you’re not comfortable with/that doesn’t look safe. Homeowners insurance has a condition to prevent further loss. Focus on a temporary fix instead of something long-term so insurance can properly access a permanent fix by a professional.

Customer service is key for homeowners in disaster-prone areas. Homeowners need to understand the risks and have good coverage with an up-to-date policy.

Ronda Lee
Founder, Editor-in-Chief
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.