Earthquake Insurance for Washington Residents: Is It Worth It?
Washington has the second-highest earthquake risk across the entire United States. Earthquake insurance can help protect your home and belongings against damage from an earthquake.
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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Situated on many active faults and fault zones, Washington state has one of the highest risks of earthquakes in the country.[1] More than 1,000 earthquakes occur in the state each year, and about a dozen are big enough to be felt.[2]
The most recent large earthquake, known as the Nisqually quake, was a magnitude 6.8 that occurred on Feb. 28, 2001, near Olympia. Damage estimates are between $500 million and $4 billion.
Most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover earthquake damage. Fortunately, you can purchase a stand-alone earthquake insurance policy or add it as a separate endorsement to your existing homeowners or renters policy.
Quick Facts
Washington has the second-highest earthquake risk in the United States.
Earthquakes happen nearly every day but are too small to be felt or cause damage.
Earthquake deductibles range from 10% to 25% of the policy limit.[3]
What to know about Washington earthquake insurance
The state of Washington is highly prone to earthquakes. Since most standard homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover damages caused by earthquakes, you might consider earthquake insurance to protect your home and personal belongings.
Earthquake insurance provides coverage if an earthquake destroys or damages your home. You can purchase a separate policy or add it as an endorsement to your homeowners insurance.
Coverage typically comes with a high deductible of 10%–25% of the structure’s policy limit. Your coverage will only kick in if damages exceed your deductible. With some policies, you might have to pay a separate deductible for unattached structures, such as garages or retaining walls.
Before you can get earthquake coverage, some insurers might require an inspection of your property. This is because some companies have specific coverage requirements, such as:
Home bolted to its foundation
Interior walls braced
Fixtures, such as water heaters, secured with strapping guards
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What earthquake insurance covers
The state of Washington has many active faults and fault zones, with some of them crossing under major cities like Seattle. The largest active fault in Washington is the Cascadia subduction zone. This fault has been responsible for some of the largest and most damaging earthquakes worldwide.
Earthquake insurance can help ensure you’re properly prepared for a larger earthquake. These are some of the common items that earthquake insurance covers:
Home repairs
An earthquake policy helps cover structural damage to your home caused by an earthquake.
Personal property
Earthquake insurance also covers damage to thecontents inside your home, such as clothing, furniture, and appliances.
Debris removal
Your earthquake policy might help cover the costs associated with moving debris caused by the earthquake.
Loss of use
If you have to leave your home while it’s being rebuilt or repaired, earthquake insurance can help pay for temporary housing and food from restaurants.
Some earthquake policies might cover damages to other structures that aren’t attached to your home, the costs associated with meeting current building codes, or to stabilize the land under your home.
What earthquake insurance doesn’t cover
When looking for earthquake insurance, review the policy carefully or speak to an insurance agent to confirm what it does and doesn’t cover.
Here are some common items that earthquake insurance doesn’t cover:
Fire damage
The land your house stands on
Vehicles
Pre-existing damage
External water damage
Damage from landslides, settlements, mudflows, or rising, sinking, and contracting earth, unless they’re due to an earthquake
Some policies won’t cover damage from floods, tidal waves, or tsunamis, even if they result from an earthquake.
Your homeowners insurance may cover fire damage caused by an earthquake. You can also ask your auto insurance company if your policy covers earthquake damage.
Earthquake insurance for renters
Renters insurance is similar to homeowners insurance but is for people who rent a home or apartment. A standard renters policy typically pays for earthquake damage to your personal belongings. Since Washington is a high-risk area for earthquakes, you might want to consider an earthquake policy or add it as an endorsement.
Earthquake insurance for renters covers many of the same categories as a homeowners policy, including personal property, debris removal, and loss of use. Like homeowners earthquake insurance, you have to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in.
Important Information
Even if your landlord has earthquake insurance, it typically won’t cover your personal belongings. That’s why it’s important to consider earthquake insurance when you live in a high-risk area.
How to file a claim for earthquake damage
If you experience an earthquake and need to file a claim for damages, follow these steps:
1. Call your insurer
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to review your policy and confirm what it covers. Ask what information the insurer needs to process your claim.
2. Provide information
Review the damage. Report if you’re unable to continue living in your home, and provide your contact information.[4]
3. Prepare documentation
Gather any receipts, photos, or other documents that can help confirm the value of your personal belongings damaged in the earthquake.
4. Submit your claim
Depending on your insurance company, you can do this online or in person.
How to protect your home from earthquake damage
You can do several things to prepare and protect your home from earthquake damage, including:
Build an emergency kit. You never know when an earthquake will strike, so you should prepare an emergency kit for your home, car, and work. Include items like water, non-perishable food, and a first aid kit.
Anchor your house to its foundation. Houses that aren’t secured to the foundation can move during an earthquake. You should also anchor your deck and chimney to the house.
Secure furniture and valuables. To prevent items from falling during an earthquake, ensure items like televisions, bookcases, refrigerators, and computers are secured. Use hooks or safety hangers for mirrors and pictures. Use childproof latches for cabinet doors and drawers.
Secure small items. Use putty or velcro to secure smaller items in place.
Brace the water heater. Freestanding water heaters can come loose during an earthquake and topple over. To ensure your water heater stays put, secure it with a bracing kit.
Secure the propane tank. During an earthquake, an unsecured propane tank can tip over and start a fire. Ensure your tanks are secured, and consider installing an automatic gas shutoff valve.
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Washington earthquake insurance FAQs
If you’re interested in learning more about earthquake insurance in Washington, check out the additional information below.
Is earthquake insurance required in Washington?
Earthquake insurance is not a requirement in the state of Washington. Due to the large number of active faults and fault zones, Washington homeowners have a greater chance of experiencing an earthquake. To protect against damage to your home and personal belongings, you can purchase earthquake insurance as a stand-alone policy or as an add-on to home insurance.
Does home insurance cover earthquake damage?
A typical homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover earthquake damage. To get protection, you need to purchase a stand-alone earthquake policy or add an earthquake endorsement to your homeowners insurance.
How much does earthquake insurance cost?
The annual price of earthquake insurance in the Pacific Northwest is approximately $3–$15 per $1,000 worth of coverage.[5] Premiums can vary based on a variety of factors, including your location, your ZIP code, the age and size of your home, and the materials your home is made of. You’ll pay higher premiums if you live in a high-risk area that’s prone to earthquakes, like Washington or California.
Is earthquake insurance worth it in Washington?
To decide if earthquake insurance is worth it in Washington, you should consider several factors, such as the structural integrity of your home, whether you own or rent, whether you can afford to rebuild your entire home or replace your belongings, whether you have somewhere else to live if your home is damaged, and the likelihood of an earthquake occurring.
Jessica is a freelance writer, professional researcher, and mother of two rambunctious little boys. She specializes in personal finance, women and money, and financial literacy. Jessica is fascinated by the psychology of money and what drives people to make important financial decisions. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Cognitive Research Psychology.
Jessica has been a contributor at Insurify since July 2023.
Edited byChris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
Chris SchaferDeputy Managing Editor, News and Marketing Content
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
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