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Renters Insurance Does Renters Insurance Cover Earthquakes?

Does Renters Insurance Cover Earthquakes?

No, renters insurance doesn’t cover damage from earthquakes if you have a standard policy. However, you can sometimes buy an earthquake rider or earthquake insurance plan. Read more about renters insurance and earthquakes.

Annette L. Annette L. March 3, 2021 Get a Renters Insurance Quote
Shattered plate on the floor

Table of Contents

  1. Renters insurance doesn’t cover earthquakes (by default)
  2. What is an earthquake rider for renters?
  3. Do renters need earthquake insurance?

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Renters insurance doesn’t cover earthquakes (by default)

Earthquakes are an excluded peril, which means standard renters insurance policies don’t cover them. So are most damages relating to “earth movement,” such as landslides, sinkholes, and liquefaction.

If an earthquake causes another covered peril, it's still covered

If your belongings get damaged in a fire that was caused by an earthquake, renters insurance will cover your loss. However, if the earthquake causes an excluded peril like a flood, renters insurance won’t reimburse you for any damages.

Renters insurance also doesn’t cover earthquake damage to your building (that’s your landlord’s responsibility) or to your car (your auto insurance should take care of that). However, sometimes you can add coverage by purchasing an earthquake rider.

What is an earthquake rider for renters?

If you’ve read our post on what renters insurance is, you know that you can expand your coverage to include additional perils like earthquakes by purchasing something called a rider or endorsement.

What does an earthquake rider cover?

Insurance companies that offer earthquake riders will cover your personal property if it’s damaged by an earthquake or reimburse you if you need to temporarily move out.

Aftershock damage

An earthquake rider will cover your personal property from both the actual earthquake and the aftershocks. However, there’s usually a time limit, after which the aftershocks are no longer covered. For example, Liberty Mutual’s earthquake rider provides coverage for damage that occurs up to 360 hours after the initial earthquake.

A separate deductible may apply to earthquake damage

When you buy renters insurance, your deductible will be written out along with your premium on your policy declarations sheet. If you have an earthquake rider and file for earthquake damage, you may have to pay a different deductible, depending on your provider and your policy. Your earthquake deductible will also be listed on your sheet.

Not all insurers offer earthquake riders, and they aren’t offered in every state. If you want earthquake coverage, you may have to purchase a separate earthquake insurance plan instead.

Do renters need earthquake insurance?

Earthquake insurance isn’t mandatory, and most earthquakes cause little-to-no damage. However, some are extremely destructive. If you live in an earthquake-prone area and would struggle to replace all of your possessions out-of-pocket, you should strongly consider buying earthquake insurance.

Most insurers in California only offer earthquake insurance through the California Earthquake Authority (CEA)

The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) provides most earthquake insurance in California. Participating insurers, who are members of the CEA, process all policy applications, renewals, payments, and claims.

To consider if an earthquake rider or earthquake insurance is worth it for you, you can refer to the map below to determine the probability of an earthquake happening in your area:

Earthquake zones across the US for renters insurance

It’s almost always worth getting earthquake insurance if you’re buying renters insurance in California or another state with several “highest hazard” zones, such as Washington or Oregon.

Takeaways

  • Renters insurance does not cover damage from earthquakes in a standard policy.
  • However, you can sometimes buy an additional earthquake rider to cover earthquake-related damages and losses.
  • Some insurers may not offer an earthquake rider, in which case you should consider a separate earthquake insurance policy if you live in an earthquake-prone area.

Related Questions

  • Does renters insurance cover bursting pipes?
  • Do I need water backup insurance as a renter?
  • Does renters insurance cover water damage from a toilet?
  • Does renters insurance cover smoke damage?
  • What is guest medical coverage in renters insurance?
  • Does renters insurance cover gold or silver bullion?

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