Earthquake Insurance Costs

Ideally, your earthquake insurance policy should cover the cost to replace or repair your damaged property. Consider this:

•Does the policy cover only your dwelling? Are accessory structures, such as garages, also included?
•Will your policy pay for the contents of your home and for additional living expenses if your home is destroyed or too badly damaged for you to live there before repairs are made?
•Are there any exclusions or limitations to coverage?
•What deductible must you pay before the insurance kicks in?

Earthquake insurance rates are determined differently by each insurance company and can vary widely depending on several factors. Generally, older homes cost more to insure. Wood homes get better rates than brick buildings because wood tends to withstand quake stresses better. The premiums are also based on the nature of the soil and your house’s proximity to recognized fault lines.

Areas are graded on a scale of 1 to 5 for likelihood of quakes, and this is reflected in earthquake insurance rates. Because earthquake insurance is a type of catastrophic coverage, most policies carry a high deductible — anywhere from 2 to 20 percent of the replacement cost of the structure. For instance, if the cost to rebuild your house after a quake is $100,000 and your policy has a 2 percent deductible, you would be responsible for the first $2,000.

For more info on earthquake coverage and Home Insurance, please contact us at 1-800-320-3666.