Is damage from an earthquake covered?

Something for you to consider - does your current insurance cover damage from an earthquake? The answer is most likely NO. The majority of homeowner's policies have no coverage in the event of an earthquake.

A few things to keep in mind when looking at purchasing an earthquake policy:

First, earthquake premiums are determined by things like your home's location, age, construction type and the estimated cost to rebuild your home and replace its contents.

Second, your deductible structure will be different than your homeowner's policy. You may have separate deductibles for your home, detached structures and/or personal contents.

Next, the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket for repair or replacement is determined by the "limits of coverage" in your policy and some have sublimits. For example, you may have a $50,000 personal property replacement limit with a $1,500 sublimit on TVs and or electronics.

Finally, if you experience a small earthquake & decide to get an earthquake policy, you will most likely have to wait 30 to 60 days after the quake to get covered due to the possibility of aftershocks.