Earthquakes are nothing to new to anyone living in California. They can strike at anywhere and anytime. Sometimes you feel them, and sometimes you don’t. Earthquakes, even small ones, can leave behind significant and expensive damage to homes and property. That’s why every California homeowner needs earthquake insurance.
What does California earthquake insurance cover?
An earthquake is defined as a sudden, violent shaking in the ground that’s caused by movement in the earth’s crust. Hundreds of thousands of earthquakes occur every year, but only some are big enough to be felt. Earthquake insurance covers specific damages:
- Your home — the dwelling itself
- Most of your personal belongings including furniture and electronics
- Loss of use and additional living expenses caused by evacuation or repairing your home
In California, earthquake insurance is not included in a standard home insurance policy. You must purchase separate coverage either as a separate policy or an endorsement to be added to your home insurance.
What is excluded from California earthquake insurance?
While an earthquake insurance policy covers a lot of potential damage after a quake, not all scenarios are included in your coverage. Here are examples of the most common exclusions:
- Fire damage, even if the fire is a direct result of the earthquake. This will be covered by your standard policy.
- Damage to fences, vehicles, pools, and breakables like china and crystal. Your home insurance should cover this damage.
- Damage to land like a sinkhole or destruction of landscaping, unless your policy specifically includes “engineering costs”
- External water damage, including sewer or drain back ups that occur from the earthquake. This kind of damage requires a flood insurance policy.
How do you find the right earthquake insurance policy for your California home?
Not all parts of California share the same earthquake risk. An earthquake insurance policy in Los Angeles will be different than one in San Francisco. Multiple risk factors determine the type of policy you need for your home.
- What your home is made of
- The age of your home
- Your home’s proximity to fault lines
- The amount of home equity you have
Living in California is an amazing experience, but it’s not without its risks. Earthquakes are a natural part of the California lifestyle. Don’t expose your home or yourself to the financial ruin of one bad rumble and the destruction it can cause. Talk to PTL Insurance Brokers today and get a free quote on a California earthquake insurance policy for your home.
