Earthquake Insurance California (Full Guide 2025)

California has nearly 16,000 known active faults — and about 70% of Californians live within 30 miles of one. Yet most homeowners still don’t fully understand how earthquake insurance actually works. In this full guide to earthquake insurance in California, I walk you through everything you need to know so you can make an informed decision before a major quake hits. In this video, we cover: – Who provides earthquake insurance in California – CEA vs private earthquake insurance carriers – What earthquake insurance covers (and what it doesn’t) – How earthquake deductibles really work – What impacts the cost of earthquake insurance – Why many homeowners are underinsured without realizing it – Common myths and costly mistakes – How to decide if earthquake insurance makes sense for your home We also break down real differences between the California Earthquake Authority and private carriers — including coverage limitations, deductibles, financial strength, and flexibility. Earthquake insurance isn’t about fear — it’s about protecting what is usually your biggest asset. This guide is designed to give you clarity, not pressure. If you’d like more information or want to compare earthquake insurance options for your home, you can learn more at EarthquakeAgent.com. 📍 Serving California homeowners 📘 Educational content 00:00 – Why Earthquake Insurance Matters in California (Big picture, fault lines, risk, why this guide matters) 01:23 – Who Provides Earthquake Insurance in California (CEA, private carriers, endorsements overview) 03:04 – Private Earthquake Insurance Carriers (Palomar, GeoVera, Zurich, flexibility vs underwriting) 04:02 – Earthquake Insurance Endorsements (When They Exist) (Travelers, Chubb, limitations, why they’re rare) 04:45 – What Earthquake Insurance Covers (Dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use) 07:14 – Additional Coverages: Loss Assessment & Building Code Upgrade (HOAs, condos, rebuilding to code) 07:58 – What Earthquake Insurance Does NOT Cover (Fire, flood, land, prior damage, why homeowners insurance still matters) 09:16 – How Earthquake Insurance Deductibles Work (Percentage deductibles, real-dollar examples, trade-offs) 11:49 – What Affects the Cost of Earthquake Insurance (Location, age, construction, foundation, retrofitting) 15:26 – CEA vs Private Earthquake Insurance: Pros & Cons (Coverage limits, deductibles, financial strength, flexibility) 21:03 – Who Should Consider Earthquake Insurance (Risk tolerance, home value, savings, peace of mind) 22:17 – How to Buy Earthquake Insurance & What to Check (Agents, quotes, reviewing policies) 27:26 – Final Thoughts & Next Steps (Practical wrap-up)