Earthquake insurance for Cascadia country
A standard homeowners policy pays nothing for earthquake damage, and the Pacific Northwest sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone, with roughly a 1-in-3 chance of a major quake in the next 50 years. Earthquake coverage is a separate policy, and it must be in place before the ground moves.
Standard policies exclude quakes · No cost to compare
See where your seismic risk comes from
Select what applies to your home. We'll show the coverage that typically fits. Nothing is stored or shared.
Your operation
Select everything that applies.
Coverage that typically applies
5 coverages — a starting point for a conversation, not a quote.
- Dwelling at rebuild valueInsure the full cost to rebuild the structure and foundation.
- Personal propertyYour belongings damaged in the quake.
- Loss of useHotel and living costs while your home is rebuilt.
- Building code upgradeRebuild to current seismic codes, often 25% or more of the cost.
- Retrofit and revisit the deductibleHomes built before modern codes are more vulnerable. Foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing reduce damage and can lower premium.
The coverage your home policy leaves out
Dwelling & foundation (Coverage A)
Rebuilds the structure of your home, including walls, roof and foundation, after quake damage a standard policy won't touch.
- Worth checking: insure to full rebuild cost, not market value.
Personal property (Coverage C)
Covers furniture, electronics and everything inside damaged when the ground moves.
- Worth checking: strapping water heaters and anchoring tall furniture reduces loss.
Loss of use (Coverage D)
Pays for hotels, meals and extra living costs while your home is repaired or rebuilt.
- Worth checking: post-quake rebuilds take longer because contractors and materials are scarce region-wide.
Building code upgrade (ordinance & law)
Pays the extra cost to rebuild to current seismic codes, which are stricter than when most homes were built.
- Worth checking: without it you may only get funds to rebuild to the old standard.
The deductible
Earthquake deductibles are a percentage of your coverage, commonly 10% to 25%, not a flat dollar amount.
- A lower deductible costs more premium but far less out of pocket. Choosing it well is the most important decision.
A percentage deductible adds up quickly
On a $600,000 home, a 15% earthquake deductible is $90,000 you would pay before coverage responds. We help you weigh deductible against premium.
Local experience with Cascadia risk
We know the fault lines
Cascadia, the Seattle Fault and local soil and liquefaction risk shape your coverage. We've protected Pacific Northwest homes since 1992.
The right deductible and limits
Percentage deductibles and code-upgrade coverage are easy to get wrong. We help you choose limits that actually rebuild your home.
Retrofit-aware advice
Foundation bolting and cripple-wall bracing reduce damage and often premium. We factor your retrofits, strapped water heater and automatic gas shutoff into the coverage.
Put earthquake coverage in place
Share a few details and a broker will build the right earthquake program and follow up, usually within one business day.
- Standard homeowners insurance excludes earthquake
- Coverage must be in place before shaking starts
- Retrofits and the right deductible can make it affordable
Questions about your deductible?
Call us and we'll walk through deductible options, limits and retrofit credits for your home.
Coverage descriptions are general summaries for education. They are not legal, tax or coverage advice, a statement of coverage, an offer or a binder. The seismic check and dollar figures are illustrative examples, not representations about any property. Earthquake policies typically carry a percentage deductible (often 10–25% of coverage); available coverages, eligibility and premiums vary by home, construction, soil, retrofits and carrier, are governed by the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies issued and are subject to underwriting.