Standard home insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Earthquakes are classified as earth movement, so it's an excluded peril alongside sinkholes, landslides and similar events.
Does Home Insurance Cover Earthquake Damage?
Updated: March 31, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage, including structural cracking, foundation shifts and damage from aftershocks.
Earthquake insurance is available as a separate policy or endorsement through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) for California residents and private insurers for other states, with deductibles commonly 5% to 25% of the dwelling limit.
States with the highest seismic risk include California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Oklahoma and Hawaii. Earthquake damage can be costly and uninsured without a separate policy.
Does Home Insurance Cover Earthquake Damage?
Why Doesn't Home Insurance Cover Earthquake Damage?
Seismic risk is geographically concentrated, where a single earthquake can generate thousands of simultaneous claims in one region, making coverage within a standard HO-3 policy financially unworkable for insurers. The HO-3 form lists earth movement as a named exclusion covering earthquakes, tremors, aftershocks, landslides, mudflows, sinkholes and volcanic eruption.
One exception most homeowners miss: if an earthquake ruptures a gas line and starts a fire, your homeowners policy covers the fire damage only. The earthquake damage itself, such as foundation cracks, collapsed walls, personal property lost to ground shaking, is not covered.
How to Protect Your Home Against Earthquake Damage
Homeowners have five options to protect their home and finances from earthquake damage: buy a standalone earthquake policy, add an endorsement, retrofit the foundation, secure personal property or build an emergency fund to cover the deductible.
Buy a Standalone Earthquake Insurance Policy
Standalone earthquake policies are available through private insurers, commonly in earthquake-prone states. These policies cover dwelling damage, personal property and additional living expenses (ALE) after an earthquake. Percentage-based deductibles of 5% to 25% of the dwelling limit are standard.
Add an Earthquake Endorsement to Your Homeowners Policy
Insurers including Universal North America, Nationwide and GEICO offer earthquake endorsements as add-ons to existing homeowners policies. Availability varies by state and insurer.
Retrofit Your Home's Foundation
Bolting the house to its foundation, bracing cripple walls and securing the water heater can reduce earthquake damage. FEMA's seismic retrofit guidelines provide specifics. Retrofitting can also lower earthquake insurance premiums.
Secure Personal Property Inside Your Home
Strapping water heaters, anchoring heavy furniture and installing flexible gas line connectors reduces damage and injury risk during a quake.
Earthquake Damage and Home Insurance: Bottom Line
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is available as a standalone policy or endorsement through private insurers. Compare earthquake endorsement options from multiple insurers to find coverage suited to your seismic risk zone.
Is Earthquake Damage Covered: FAQ
Does homeowners insurance cover any earthquake damage at all?
No. The standard HO-3 policy excludes all earth movement, including earthquakes, tremors, aftershocks and landslides. The only related coverage is fire damage that results from an earthquake; your homeowners policy covers that as a fire claim, not an earthquake claim. If an earthquake cracks your foundation or collapses your chimney, you'll pay for repairs out of pocket unless you have a separate earthquake policy.
What does earthquake insurance cover that homeowners insurance doesn't?
Earthquake insurance covers structural damage to your dwelling, personal property loss and additional living expenses caused by seismic events. Standard homeowners insurance excludes all three when the cause is an earthquake.
Is earthquake insurance required by mortgage lenders?
Most lenders don't require earthquake insurance, even in high-risk states like California. Some lenders in seismically active areas may require it as a loan condition. Confirm requirements with your lender before closing.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.