Earthquake Insurance

Separate coverage for quake damage — another peril standard property policies leave out. High deductibles are the norm.

Earthquake insurance covers damage from seismic activity — a peril that standard home and business property policies specifically exclude.

Because a single quake can damage huge numbers of buildings at once, it’s written separately and usually carries a percentage-based deductible (often 10–25% of the dwelling limit) rather than a flat dollar amount. That means real out-of-pocket cost on a claim, but it protects against the catastrophic loss of your home’s structure.

It’s easy to skip if you haven’t felt a quake recently, but risk isn’t limited to the obvious fault zones — and rebuilding a home is the kind of loss most people can’t self-insure.

This is a friendly general explanation, not legal or policy language. Exact coverage depends on your policy, carrier, and state. 🤝

Written and reviewed by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 23, 2026. Questions? Ask a licensed agent.