If you own a home in an earthquake‑prone area, deciding whether to buy earthquake insurance is not a theoretical exercise. It’s a math problem, a cash‑flow question, and a lifestyle decision. You either decide now how you would rebuild if something happens, or that decision gets made for you after the next big quake.
The more you’ve invested in your home and the life around it, the more important it is to understand exactly how earthquake insurance works and whether opting out is really a savings, or a hidden bet you’re making with your future self.
"Consider flood and earthquake coverage for your home. A lot of people overlook that and think it's too expensive. Well, there's a reason why it's expensive — people use it." — Mike Tanghe, Falcon West
Will another earthquake hit California, and should I carry earthquake insurance?
The San Andreas, Rose Canyon, and Hayward faults — what the science says about California’s 30-year earthquake probabilities, how Northridge changed building codes, and a practical framework for deciding whether coverage is worth it for your family.
What CEA covers, and what it doesn't...
A detailed look at California Earthquake Authority policy limits, the extensive exclusions that matter most for high-value homes, and how CEA compares to private-market earthquake coverage.
Earthquake Coverage FAQs
How percentage deductibles really work, why premiums feel expensive, how trusts and LLCs affect your policy, and the questions to ask your broker before the next big quake.
Four seismic guidelines to review before building or insuring a home in California
The four features underwriters at PURE, Chubb, and Cincinnati look for — water heater bracing, seismic gas shut-off valves, foundation bolting, and cripple wall bracing — plus California retrofit grants of up to $10,000.
If you’d like a detailed, numbers-driven review of how an earthquake would impact your current program, and what it would cost to cap that downside, we’re here to help. We work with successful families across the country, coordinating coverage with carriers like Chubb, PURE, Cincinnati, AIG Private Client, and others.
