Earthquake Insurance
Big Stone Gap, Bristol, Chattanooga, Columbia, Dickson, Lawrenceburg, Lenoir City, Nashville, Old Hickory, Owings Mills

Impossible to predict, earthquakes can cause major damage to your personal property and home. It is a common assumption that homeowners insurance covers earthquakes and other natural disasters, but this isn’t always the case.

Earthquake insurance is one way to protect your most valuable asset: your home.

Do I need earthquake insurance?

Although you may associate the risk of damage to your property from an earthquake to the proximity of an earthquake fault, remember earthquakes can cause damage to property that is located a great distance from the epicenter.

The amount of damage caused by an earthquake depends on your distance from the epicenter, the size of the earthquake, nearby bodies of water, and the type of sediment under your property. Earthquake insurance provides coverage for damages caused by an earthquake's most damaging effects, such as ground shaking, soil liquefaction, and slope failure.

Ground shaking

This happens when the ground moves both vertically and horizontally. Ground shaking typically causes extreme property damage. In general, unenforced brick or masonry homes will sustain more damage than more flexible wood-frame homes. If you have an older home that has not been retrofitted for earthquakes, the risk of damage is much greater. Ground shaking from a large earthquake can destroy buildings; seriously damage dikes and dams; and trigger large landslides.

Soil liquefaction

Earthquake insurance can also provide coverage for soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes. Soil liquefaction can induce different types of ground failure causing a house to settle or tip. It can also cause flow failures that may produce fast-moving debris flows.

Slope failure

An earthquake can cause a slope failure, particularly if the slope is wet. This usually occurs when the earthquake induces flooding along the shores of lakes and reservoirs, where the ground surface drops below the water table, and along altered stream courses, canals, sewer lines, or other gravity-flow systems where slope gradients are lessened or reversed.

How will earthquake insurance help?

Earthquake coverage will help pay for the costs associated with earthquake damage, such as repairing or replacing your home, replacing the contents of your home, temporary accommodations, and paying a mortgage, second mortgage, or line of credit on your home if your home is destroyed. If you have a typical home loan and deed of trust, you will remain responsible for the loan balance even if your home is damaged or destroyed by an earthquake, so being financially protected by earthquake insurance is critical. The deductible and amount of coverage available for earthquake damages vary by state.

How Coverage Amounts are Decided

Earthquake insurance is usually determined based on a property’s actual value. For example, a $500,000 home can be insured for the full amount, especially if it is located in a higher-risk area. In this case, though, the deductible will be a pre-determined percentage of the total coverage, usually about 15 percent. The usual exclusions will include valuable jewelry, any improvements done to landscaping, swimming pools, and other structures that are on the property like a shed or a detached garage. There are exceptions, but normally these will not be a part of a standard earthquake policy.

Benefits and Coverage

There are two types of earthquake insurance available. The first is “single-limit,” which can cover the entire appraised value of the primary structure. Another kind is a standard policy that offers similar coverage to that which the homeowner already has, with the exception being that now the homeowner is protected from earthquakes whereas previously he or she would not have been. It’s important to remember when considering this coverage how big a difference it can be between paying a 15 percent deductible and having to pay out-of-pocket for the total loss of property if one has no coverage at all.

How can I protect my family and home in the event of an earthquake?

• Secure bookcases and shelves to prevent them from toppling over and causing injury or damage.
• Do not place heavy unsecured items on shelves above beds, cribs, or couches.
• Consider retrofitting your home to be sound, especially if it is an older home.
• Securely anchor large appliances to the wall and brace your water heater.
• Secure heavy equipment such as TVs and computers to the furniture on which they are placed.
• Use closed screw eyes instead of traditional picture hangers to secure pictures and other valuable artwork to the walls.

Many insurance companies have specific enrollment periods for earthquake insurance coverage. If you choose not to add the coverage when you purchase a homeowners policy, you may need to wait until your policy renews to add the coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I protect my family and home in the event of an earthquake?
  Secure bookcases and shelves to prevent them from toppling over and causing injury or damage. Do not place heavy unsecured items on shelves above beds, cribs, or couches. Consider retrofitting your home to be sound, especially if it is an older home. Securely anchor large appliances to the wall and brace your water heater. Secure heavy equipment such as TVs and computers to the furniture on which they are placed. Use closed screw eyes instead of traditional picture hangers to secure pictures and other valuable artwork to the walls. Many insurance companies have specific enrollment periods for earthquake insurance coverage. If you choose not to add the coverage when you purchase a homeowners policy, you may need to wait until your policy renews to add the coverage.
• Do I need earthquake insurance?
  Although you may associate the risk of damage to your property from an earthquake to the proximity of an earthquake fault, remember earthquakes can cause damage to property that is located a great distance from the epicenter. The amount of damage caused by an earthquake depends on your distance from the epicenter, the size of the earthquake, nearby bodies of water, and the type of sediment under your property.
• How will earthquake insurance help?
  Earthquake coverage will help pay for the costs associated with earthquake damage, such as repairing or replacing your home, replacing the contents of your home, temporary accommodations, and paying a mortgage, second mortgage, or line of credit on your home if your home is destroyed. If you have a typical home loan and deed of trust, you will remain responsible for the loan balance even if your home is damaged or destroyed by an earthquake, so being financially protected by earthquake insurance is critical. The deductible and amount of coverage available for earthquake damages vary by state.
• How much does earthquake insurance cost?

  The cost of earthquake insurance can vary depending on several factors, including the location of the insured property, the risk of earthquakes in that area, the value of the property, the coverage limits, and deductibles chosen.

  In high-risk earthquake areas, such as regions along major fault lines, the cost of earthquake insurance tends to be higher. Similarly, if the property is located in an area with a history of frequent or severe earthquakes, the premiums will likely be higher compared to areas with a lower risk.

  The cost of earthquake insurance is also influenced by the coverage limits and deductibles. Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles generally result in higher premiums. Additionally, factors such as the type of construction of the property, its age, and proximity to fire stations or other emergency services may also affect the cost.

• Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?
  Damage from earthquakes is not covered by a standard homeowners policy. Similar to flood insurance, earthquake insurance must be purchased separately, or added as an endorsement on your homeowners policy. Many insurance companies have specific enrollment periods for earthquake coverage. If you choose not to add the coverage when you purchase a homeowners policy, you may need to wait until your policy renews to add the coverage. If you are not currently covered, you may receive an offer for earthquake coverage with your renewal policy. This coverage is typically offered every other year.
• What does earthquake insurance cover?
  Earthquake insurance provides coverage for damages caused by an earthquake's most damaging effects, such as ground shaking, soil liquefaction, and slope failure. Ground shaking This happens when the ground moves both vertically and horizontally. Ground shaking typically causes extreme property damage. In general, unenforced brick or masonry homes will sustain more damage than more flexible wood-frame homes. If you have an older home that has not been retrofitted for earthquakes, the risk of damage is much greater. Ground shaking from a large earthquake can destroy buildings; seriously damage dikes and dams; and trigger large landslides. Soil liquefaction Earthquake insurance can also provide coverage for soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes. Soil liquefaction can induce different types of ground failure causing a house to settle or tip. It can also cause flow failures that may produce fast-moving debris flows. Slope failure An earthquake can cause a slope failure, particularly if the slope is wet. This usually occurs when the earthquake induces flooding along the shores of lakes and reservoirs, where the ground surface drops below the water table, and along altered stream courses, canals, sewer lines, or other gravity-flow systems where slope gradients are lessened or reversed.