What we verified in “Earthquake and wildfire insurance”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. The Texas Department of Insurance shows that most home policies cover damage from fire and lightning, and that most do not cover damage from earthquakes or earth movement or from flooding; coverages vary by company.

   Sources 1 · Homeowners insurance guide, 'What risks does a home policy cover?': 'Most policies cover damages from'; 'Fire and lightning'; 'Most policies don’t cover damages from'; 'Earthquakes or earth movement'; 'Flooding'; 'Coverages vary by company' · Checked October 17, 2026

2. The Texas Department of Insurance says your home policy does not pay for certain damage, that you can buy separate policies for floods and earthquakes by asking your agent, and that if you live along the coast you also need a separate windstorm policy.

   Sources 2 · Five things your home policy won’t cover: 'You can buy separate policies for floods and earthquakes. Ask your agent how to get these policies.'; 'If you live along the coast, you also need a separate windstorm policy.' · Checked October 17, 2026

3. The California Department of Insurance explains that fire and smoke are typically covered by a homeowners policy, while earthquake, flood, mold and earth movement are usually excluded; that when an insurer writes your homeowners coverage, the law requires it to offer you earthquake coverage for an additional premium; and that the coverage may come from your own insurer, a separate insurer or the California Earthquake Authority (CEA).

   Sources 4 · Residential Property Insurance Guide: 'Typically covered by a homeowners policy if damage is caused by'; 'Earthquake, flood, mold, earth movement, and'; 'the insurer is legally obligated to offer you earthquake coverage for an additional premium'; 'may be written directly by the homeowner’s insurer, by a separate insurer, or through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA)' · Checked October 17, 2026

4. The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) explains that in most cases a homeowners policy does not cover earthquake damage and that in California a separate policy is needed; that its policy is catastrophe insurance meant to cover the most important things you own; that it is bought through your home insurance company or agent, only if your home is insured by a participating company; and that you can add it at any time without waiting for renewal.

   Sources 9 · California Homeowners Earthquake Insurance Policies: 'In most cases, damage to your home from an earthquake is not covered by a homeowners insurance policy'; 'In California, a separate policy is needed'; 'A CEA homeowners policy is catastrophe insurance, meant to cover the most important things you own'; 'To purchase a CEA policy, contact your home insurance company or agent'; 'Only Californians whose home is insured by those companies are eligible to purchase a CEA earthquake policy'; 'no need to wait until your homeowners policy comes up for renewal' · Checked October 17, 2026

5. According to the CEA, its homeowners policy can cover the house and attached structures, personal property and the cost of living elsewhere (loss of use), which never has a deductible; it includes $10,000 for building code upgrades; emergency repairs have no deductible for the first $1,500; and available deductibles are 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25%, although homes with a dwelling limit above $1,000,000, or built before 1980 on a raised foundation without a verified retrofit, can only choose 15%, 20% or 25%.

   Sources 9 · California Homeowners Earthquake Insurance Policies: 'Policy choices include earthquake damage to your house and structures attached to it, like your garage'; 'Deductibles available are 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25%'; 'Homes with a Coverage A dwelling limit greater than $1,000,000, or dwellings built before 1980 on a raised or other type foundation that do not have a verified retrofit, are only eligible for a 15%, 20% or 25% deductible'; 'Personal property coverage protects items inside your house'; 'Our Loss of Use coverage never has a deductible'; 'A $10,000 building code upgrade coverage is included with every CEA homeowner policy'; 'There is no deductible for the first $1,500' · Checked October 17, 2026

6. According to the CEA, the price of its policy depends on the home's age, foundation, construction and roof type, and location risk data such as proximity to a fault and soil type; it has a calculator to estimate it; it gives discounts of up to 25% to properly retrofitted older houses; and grants to pay for retrofits are available through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt and Earthquake Soft-Story programs.

   Sources 9 · California Homeowners Earthquake Insurance Policies: 'CEA premiums are determined by several factors, including your home’s age, foundation type, construction type, roof type, and earthquake-risk location data such as proximity to a fault and soil type'; 'Premium Calculator'; 'CEA offers earthquake insurance premium discounts (up to 25%) for older houses that have been properly retrofitted'; 'Grants to help pay for a house retrofit are available under the Earthquake Brace + Bolt'; 'Earthquake Soft-Story' · Checked October 17, 2026

7. The CEA says it encourages homeowners, mobilehome owners, condo-unit owners and renters to reduce their risk, and that it sells its policies only through participating insurance companies.

   Sources 10 · California Earthquake Authority: 'encouraging California homeowners, mobilehome owners, condo-unit owners and renters to reduce their risk of earthquake damage and loss'; 'We offer earthquake insurance policies exclusively through participating residential insurance companies' · Checked October 17, 2026

8. The California Department of Insurance explains that the dwelling limit should be what it would cost to rebuild your home, which may have nothing to do with the purchase price or market value, because homeowners insurance generally does not cover the land; and that setting it means thinking about the cost of labor and materials to rebuild.

   Sources 4 · Residential Property Insurance Guide, 'What Limits Should I Set on My Policy?': 'should be the amount it would cost to replace your home'; 'This may have nothing to do with the purchase price or the current market value of your home'; 'homeowners insurance does not generally cover the value of the land'; 'consider the cost of labor and materials necessary to rebuild the dwelling' · Checked October 17, 2026

9. The California Department of Insurance says that after past wildfires two major problems were that many homes were insured for less than it cost to rebuild them and rising construction costs, because rebuilding must meet new building codes; and that adding endorsements such as building code upgrade coverage can greatly add to your protection.

   Sources 4 · Residential Property Insurance Guide: 'Two major problems experienced by homeowners'; 'Many of the dwellings were underinsured, i.e., insured for amounts inadequate for rebuilding'; 'When rebuilding, homeowners have to comply with new building code requirements'; 'Endorsements to coverage, such as building code upgrade, can greatly add to your protection in the event of a loss' · Checked October 17, 2026

10. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that to be fully protected your policy should have replacement cost coverage, which pays to repair or replace your house and belongings at current prices; and that actual cash value coverage pays replacement cost minus depreciation.

    Sources 1 · Homeowners insurance guide, 'Replacement cost vs. actual cash value coverage': 'To be fully protected, make sure your policy has replacement cost coverage'; 'Replacement cost coverage pays to repair or replace your house and personal property at current prices'; 'Actual cash value coverage pays replacement cost minus depreciation' · Checked October 17, 2026

11. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that if you must move while your home is repaired, your policy may pay additional living expenses (ALE), such as rent and food; that this coverage may be limited to 10% to 20% of the dwelling coverage; and that you should watch your spending so it does not run out.

    Sources 1 · Homeowners insurance guide, 'Additional living expenses claims': 'Additional living expenses include rent, food, and other costs you wouldn’t have if you were still in your home'; 'it might be limited to 10 to 20% of the amount of the dwelling coverage on your house'; 'Watch your expenses to make sure you don’t run out of ALE' · Checked October 17, 2026

12. The Texas Department of Insurance recommends removing anything flammable within 5 feet of the house, trimming branches over the roof, clearing leaves and pine needles from gutters and the roof, checking that your policy is enough to rebuild if the house is destroyed and making a home inventory in case you file a claim; for questions, it lists 800-252-3439.

    Sources 3 · Wildfire risks: Projects to help you protect your home: 'Remove anything flammable within 5 feet from your house'; 'Trim branches hanging over your roof'; 'Remove leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your rain gutters and roof'; 'Review your homeowners insurance policy to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your house if it’s destroyed'; 'create a home inventory to help if you have to file a claim'; 'Questions? Call us at 800-252-3439' · Checked October 17, 2026

13. The California Department of Insurance explains that the FAIR Plan is an association of all property insurers licensed in the state, designed to provide insurance to people who have trouble getting it because their property is considered high risk; that it offers a basic fire policy for the structure and contents, with limitations and no coverage for liability or other perils such as burglary; that supplemental coverage (Differences in Conditions) should be considered; that it is illegal or improper for a broker to charge a fee for placing coverage solely with the FAIR Plan; and it lists (800) 339-4099.

    Sources 4 · Residential Property Insurance Guide, 'Problems in Obtaining Insurance': 'The FAIR Plan is an association of all property insurers licensed to conduct business in California'; 'make property insurance more readily available to people who have difficulty obtaining it from private insurers'; 'The FAIR Plan offers a standard fire insurance policy for both the structure and contents'; 'No coverage is provided for liability or coverage for other perils such as burglary'; 'supplemental coverage offered by private insurers should also be considered when purchasing a FAIR Plan policy'; 'It is illegal or improper for an insurance broker to charge you a fee for placing coverage solely with the California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan or the California FAIR Plan'; '(800) 339-4099' · Checked October 17, 2026

14. The California Department of Insurance says the FAIR Plan is available to residents and businesses that cannot get insurance from a regular company; that it first recommends shopping the market; that it is a private association run by insurers, not taxpayers; that residential policyholders can get a discount on the wildfire portion of their premium for hardening their property; and that people who want coverage such as water damage, liability, theft or additional living expenses should look for a Difference in Conditions policy.

    Sources 5 · California FAIR Plan: 'The FAIR Plan is available to California residents and businesses in urban and rural areas who cannot obtain insurance through a regular insurance company'; 'First, we recommend you shop the market'; 'the FAIR Plan is a private association whose day-to-day operations are controlled by insurance companies, not taxpayers'; 'Residential policyholders can obtain a discount on the wildfire portion of their FAIR Plan premium for hardening their properties'; 'Policyholders who want that coverage should visit the Difference in Conditions Web page' · Checked October 17, 2026

15. The California FAIR Plan says it is an insurer of last resort providing basic fire coverage when traditional companies will not; that any licensed agent or broker registered with the FAIR Plan can help you; that if coverage is available in the traditional market, the FAIR Plan is not right for you; that your broker can help you find a Difference in Conditions policy to get the equivalent of comprehensive homeowners insurance; and that there is no additional cost for using a broker.

    Sources 11 · California FAIR Plan: 'The California FAIR Plan is an insurer of last resort'; 'provides basic fire insurance coverage for high-risk properties when traditional insurance companies will not'; 'Any licensed insurance agent or broker registered with the California FAIR Plan can assist you'; 'If coverage is available in the traditional marketplace, the California FAIR Plan is not right for you'; 'your broker can help you find a Difference in Conditions policy which offers additional coverages to provide the equivalent of comprehensive homeowners insurance'; 'There is no additional cost for having an insurance broker' · Checked October 17, 2026

16. The Texas Department of Insurance explains that if you cannot find a company to sell you a policy, you might get coverage from the Texas FAIR Plan Association or a surplus lines insurer, both more expensive; that the Texas FAIR Plan sells basic home insurance if you cannot find a Texas-licensed company and at least two companies turned you down; and that you can call your agent or the FAIR Plan at 800-979-6440.

    Sources 1 · Homeowners insurance guide: 'If you can’t find a company to sell you a policy, you might be able to get coverage through the Texas FAIR Plan Association or a surplus lines insurance company'; 'FAIR Plan and surplus lines coverage is more expensive than coverage from a standard insurance company'; 'The Texas FAIR Plan Association sells basic home insurance'; 'at least two companies have turned you down'; '800-979-6440' · Checked October 17, 2026

17. The California Department of Insurance explains that a state law (Insurance Code section 675.1) requires a one-year moratorium on cancellations and non-renewals of residential policies in certain areas within or next to a fire perimeter after the Governor declares a state of emergency; that the protection lasts one year from the declaration; that it applies to policyholders with less than a total loss, including no loss, and those with a total loss have additional protections; and that if your ZIP code is included and you got a cancellation or non-renewal notice for wildfire risk, you should ask your insurer to reinstate the policy and, if it refuses, you can ask the Department for help.

    Sources 6 · Mandatory One-Year Moratorium on Non-Renewals: 'requires a mandatory one-year moratorium on insurance companies canceling or non-renewing residential insurance policies in certain areas within or adjacent to a fire perimeter after a declared state of emergency is issued by the Governor'; 'The protection from cancellation or non-renewal lasts for one year from the date of the Governor’s emergency declaration'; 'This one-year protection applies to all residential policyholders within the affected areas who suffer less than a total loss, including those who suffer no loss'; 'Those who suffer a total loss have additional protections under the law'; 'California Insurance Code section 675.1'; 'you should contact your insurance company to seek a reinstatement of the policy'; 'file a Request for Assistance' · Checked October 17, 2026

18. The California Department of Insurance explains that under Safer from Wildfires every protective action qualifies you for an insurance discount, and that the actions include a Class A fire-rated roof, a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around the house (including fencing), ember- and fire-resistant vents and complying with defensible space rules.

    Sources 7 · Safer from Wildfires: 'Every action under Safer from Wildfires will qualify you for an insurance discount'; 'Class-A fire rated roof'; '5 foot ember resistant zone, including fencing'; 'Ember- and fire-resistant vents'; 'Defensible space compliance' · Checked October 17, 2026

19. The California Department of Insurance recommends comparing prices, service and coverage before you buy; offers a home inventory guide; and answers questions or disputes with your insurer at 1-800-927-4357.

    Sources 4 · Residential Property Insurance Guide: 'Take the time to shop around for homeowners insurance. Compare prices, service, and coverage'; 'A home Inventory Guide is available to all consumers from the CDI by calling 800-927-4357' · Checked October 17, 2026

20. The California Department of Insurance asks you to work with your agent, the claims adjuster and the insurer toward a fair settlement, and says that if you have a question or a dispute with your insurer, you can call 1-800-927-4357.

    Sources 8 · Earthquakes: 'Please work with your agent, insurer claims adjuster, and insurer with a goal of achieving a settlement that you believe is fair'; 'If you have a question about your insurance or a dispute with your insurer, please call us at 1-800-927-4357' · Checked October 17, 2026