Earthquake Insurance in the Inland Empire

The San Andreas and San Jacinto faults run right through Southern California, yet most Inland Empire homeowners have no earthquake coverage. A regular homeowners policy does not pay for earthquake damage to your house. Here is how earthquake insurance works in California and how to find out what it would cost you.

What your home policy covers after an earthquake

• Earthquake shaking damage is excluded from standard California homeowners policies.
• Fire after an earthquake is covered. California law requires homeowners and renters policies to cover fire caused by or following an earthquake, whether or not you buy earthquake insurance.
• Your insurer must offer earthquake coverage in writing at least every other year. If you never answered that offer, you most likely turned it down.

How earthquake insurance works

• CEA policies. Most California earthquake policies come from the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). You can't buy them from the CEA directly. They are sold through participating home insurers, and you buy from the same company that has your home policy.
• Private earthquake policies. Stand-alone policies from other companies are also available and don't require your home policy to be with the same company. Coverage and deductibles vary, so it pays to compare.
• Deductibles are a percentage. CEA dwelling deductibles are 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% of your dwelling coverage. On a home insured for $500,000, a 15% deductible means the first $75,000 of damage is yours. Homes insured for more than $1 million, and pre-1980 homes on raised foundations without a verified retrofit, can only choose 15% or higher.
• Extra living expenses. CEA policies can include loss of use coverage up to $100,000 for a place to stay while your home is repaired, with no deductible.
• Renters and condo owners can buy earthquake coverage too. Renters cover belongings and living expenses. Condo owners can add loss assessment coverage for their share of HOA repair bills.

Lower the cost with a retrofit

If your home was built before 1980 and sits on a raised foundation, a brace and bolt retrofit can make it safer and cheaper to insure:

• Grants up to $3,000 through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program for homes in participating ZIP codes, and a separate CEA Brace + Bolt grant for some CEA policyholders.
• Up to 25% off CEA earthquake premiums for a qualifying home with a completed and verified retrofit.

How Young Douglas Insurance helps

• We review your current home policy and show you exactly what is and isn't covered after a quake.
• We compare a CEA policy with private earthquake options from the other carriers we're appointed with.
• We help you pick a deductible you could actually pay, and check whether you qualify for retrofit discounts.

Common questions

Do I need earthquake insurance if I have a mortgage? Lenders usually don't require it, but your mortgage is still due if your home is damaged. Earthquake coverage protects your equity.

Is there a waiting period? Many insurers won't start new earthquake coverage for a period of time right after a significant earthquake. Buy before you need it.

Does it cover my car? No. Earthquake damage to a car is covered by comprehensive coverage on your auto policy.

Prefer to talk now? Call (909) 303-3722. Young Douglas Insurance, 3602 Inland Empire Blvd #C330, Ontario, CA 91764. CA License #4091974. Hablamos español.

This page is general information. Coverage, limits, deductibles and discounts depend on the insurer and the details of your home. Sources: California Department of Insurance earthquake guide and California Earthquake Authority.