Earthquake insurance
A separate policy covering earthquake damage. Usually optional. Common in California and the Pacific Northwest. Deductibles run high.
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Part 1 of 4
Why a seller cares
Earthquake coverage is separate from homeowners insurance and mostly optional. In an earthquake zone, a buyer may ask whether the home is retrofitted and what coverage costs, and the natural hazard disclosure names the zone.
Part 2 of 4
A simple example
Your California home was bolted to its foundation in 2015. The buyer asks for the retrofit paperwork and a quote for earthquake coverage.
| What the buyer weighs | What helps |
|---|---|
| The cost of coverage | A retrofit certificate lowers it |
| The deductible | Often 10% to 20% of the dwelling value |
| Whether to carry it at all | Their call; lenders rarely ask for it |
Earthquake insurance is the buyer's choice, and the home's retrofit is what changes the price of it.
Part 3 of 4
What people get wrong
That homeowners insurance covers earthquakes. It does not, and neither does it cover floods.
Part 4 of 4 · where to read next
Where it appears in the sale
What a definition is, and what it isn't
Keighbor is a software company, not a law firm, brokerage, or tax adviser. This is general information, not legal, tax, financial, or real estate advice about your sale. Your situation may differ. Before acting on a contract, disclosure, title, tax, or pricing question, ask an appropriately licensed professional in your state.
Written and researched by Keighbor Research · drawn from the reference glossary · how we research and check what we publish
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