Does Renters Insurance Cover Earthquakes?
 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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Earthquake damage to personal property is not covered by renters insurance. The exclusion on a renters insurance policy also applies to other earth movements like sinkholes, mudslides, landslides, lava flow and more. These perils are also not covered by the landlord’s insurance. The only way to protect your belongings as a renter is to buy an earthquake insurance policy. Not only will your things be covered due to damage, but you’ll also have assistance in moving out and finding a new home with the loss of use coverage component of an earthquake policy. Earthquake insurance is generally inexpensive and important to have if you live in an earthquake-prone state. Here’s more.
How Much Does Earthquake Insurance Cost?
Prices on earthquake insurance vary according to location. In California alone, prices may range from $3 a month (for $5,000 worth of coverage) to $12 ($50,000 worth of coverage), depending on coverage limits, where you live and how close it is to a fault line. That may be even cheaper than renters insurance.
Factors that determine earthquake insurance cost:
- Location of the home
- Age of the home
- Cost to rebuild the home
- Your deductible
- Whether or not the home is retrofitted
How Much Earthquake Coverage Should I Buy?
We always advise renters to take inventory of all their possessions. Earthquakes may destroy all your possessions, so begin taking photos or a video of all your belongings. Also, assign a price to each item and see what the total is. You should buy enough coverage to protect all that you may lose. For some renters, $5,000 is adequate, while someone renting a big home with lots of furniture may want $50,000 worth of coverage.
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Do I Need To Have Earthquake Insurance?
No one is legally required to buy earthquake insurance. However, do not look to your renters insurance to reimburse you for losses after an earthquake because only earthquake insurance can pay you for what’s been destroyed after a catastrophe caused by earth movements. The tremors of an earthquake may cause all your glassware and artwork to fall and break. Only you know what you own and whether or not it makes sense to spend a few extra dollars to protect your belongings.
Dangers of Liquefaction (Liquified Soil)
A mudslide or landslide may bring liquified soil into your home and destroy your furniture and clothing. An earthquake insurance will cover liquefaction.
What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?
Earthquake insurance covers all earth movements and damage caused by it:
- Earthquakes
- Mudslides
- Landslides
- Liquefaction
- Rockslides
- Sinkholes
Coverage means payment for the following:
- Appliances (not owned by the landlord)
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Artwork
- Electronics
- Toiletries
- Linens
- Living expenses, like hotel stays (while your rental is uninhabitable)
- Instruments
- Plants
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Furniture
- Glassware
- Pottery
- China
- Debris removal
What Does Earthquake Insurance Not Cover?
Just as with renters insurance, earthquake insurance will not cover everything that is damaged due to the earth’s movements. The following are not covered by renters earthquake insurance:
| Not Covered | Insurance Type for Coverage |
| Auto Damage | Comprehensive Car Insurance |
| Flooding | Flood Insurance |
| Sewer or Drain Backup | Your Landlord’s Insurance |
| *Some Policies Exclude Earth Movements Other Than Earthquakes | An Earthquake Policy With a New Insurer |
* Most earthquake policies cover all earth movements but not all do. You can compare rates with other carriers if you want fuller coverage.
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Key Takeaways
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While you may not be required by your landlord to purchase earthquake insurance, consider what you’d have to spend if your belongings needed to be replaced due to an especially strong earthquake or other earth movement. Earthquake insurance is not meant to replace renters insurance. If you’re interested in getting free quotes for an inexpensive earthquake and renters insurance bundle, enter your zip code below, answer a few questions and you’ll soon hear back from the agents offering the best value for your buck.
- Insurance quotes /
- Renters /
- Renters Earthquake Insurance
Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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