Last updated: February 2026
Key Takeaways
- Standard renters insurance does not cover earthquake damage. The "earth movement" exclusion in virtually all renters policies means your belongings are unprotected unless you buy separate earthquake coverage.
- Earthquake insurance for renters is surprisingly affordable — typically $100–$300 per year nationally, and as low as $35 per year in California through the CEA.
- Coverage protects your personal property and pays for temporary housing if your rental becomes uninhabitable after a quake. Your landlord's insurance covers the building — not your stuff.
- Deductibles are percentage-based (typically 5%–25% of your coverage limit), not flat dollar amounts. On a $25,000 personal property policy with a 5% deductible, you'd pay the first $1,250 yourself.
- FEMA disaster assistance is not a substitute for insurance. The maximum FEMA housing assistance grant for FY2025 is $43,600, and most recipients receive far less. Much federal disaster aid comes as loans that must be repaid.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. We are not licensed insurance agents or financial advisors. Consult a qualified insurance professional for advice specific to your situation.
Why Renters Need Separate Earthquake Coverage
If you rent an apartment, house, or condo, you may already have a standard renters insurance policy. That policy protects your belongings against fire, theft, vandalism, and certain water damage. But there's a critical gap: nearly all standard renters policies explicitly exclude earthquake damage under what insurers call the "earth movement" exclusion.
This means that if an earthquake shakes your apartment and destroys your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other personal property, your regular renters insurance will not pay for any of it. You would be entirely responsible for replacing everything on your own.
There is one notable exception: fire following an earthquake. If an earthquake ruptures a gas line and a fire breaks out, the fire damage to your belongings is typically covered by your standard renters policy. But the shaking damage itself — the broken TV, the shattered dishes, the toppled bookshelf that crushed your laptop — is not covered.
Your Landlord's Insurance Won't Help You
A common misconception among renters is that the landlord's insurance will cover their losses. It won't. Your landlord's property insurance covers the building structure — the walls, roof, foundation, and built-in fixtures. It is designed to protect their investment in the physical property. Your landlord has no obligation to replace your personal belongings, and their policy provides no coverage for your furniture, electronics, clothing, or other possessions.
Similarly, your landlord's policy does not cover your additional living expenses if you need to relocate temporarily. If an earthquake makes your rental uninhabitable, you could find yourself paying rent on a place you can't live in while simultaneously covering hotel or temporary housing costs.
What Does Earthquake Insurance for Renters Actually Cover?
Earthquake coverage for renters typically includes three main components:
Personal Property Coverage protects your belongings — furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, sporting goods, and other personal items — if they're damaged or destroyed by earthquake shaking. You select a coverage limit based on the estimated replacement value of your possessions, and the insurer pays to repair or replace items up to that limit (minus your deductible).
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) / Loss of Use Coverage pays for the increased cost of living elsewhere if your rental becomes uninhabitable after an earthquake. This can include hotel stays, temporary apartment rental, restaurant meals, laundry services, and other necessary expenses above what you'd normally spend. Critically, most earthquake policies — including CEA renter policies — have no deductible for Loss of Use coverage, meaning you can access these funds immediately.
Emergency Repairs Coverage pays for urgent repairs needed to protect your belongings from additional damage after an earthquake. For CEA policies, the first $1,500 in emergency repairs has no deductible.
What Earthquake Insurance for Renters Does Not Cover
Understanding the exclusions is just as important:
- Building structure — That's your landlord's responsibility
- Your vehicle — Auto damage from earthquakes is covered under comprehensive auto insurance
- Flood or tsunami damage — Even if caused by an earthquake, these require separate flood insurance
- Landscaping or exterior features — Not applicable to most renters, but worth noting
- Landlord's property — Appliances or fixtures that belong to the landlord are their responsibility to insure
How Much Does Earthquake Insurance for Renters Cost?
Earthquake insurance for renters is significantly cheaper than homeowners earthquake coverage because you're only insuring your personal belongings — not a building structure. Here's what you can expect to pay:
Renter Earthquake Insurance Cost Overview
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| National average range | $100–$300 per year |
| California (CEA) minimum | As low as $35 per year (~$3/month) |
| California (CEA) typical range | $39–$59 per year ($3.27–$4.89/month) |
| High-risk areas (CA, WA, OR) | $100–$300 per year |
| Lower-risk areas | Often less than $100 per year |
| Typical deductible range | 5%–25% of personal property coverage limit |
| Loss of Use deductible | Usually $0 (no deductible) |
Your actual cost depends on several factors: where you live (proximity to fault lines), the coverage limits you select, the deductible you choose, and the age and construction type of the building you're renting in.
Choosing a higher deductible — say 15% or 25% instead of 5% — will lower your annual premium substantially, but it also means you'll absorb more of the loss yourself before insurance pays anything.
Cost Example: CEA Renter Policy in California
For a renter in California with $50,000 in personal property coverage, $25,000 in Loss of Use coverage, and a 5% deductible, the annual premium through the CEA might run roughly $50–$150 per year depending on location. A renter in the San Francisco Bay Area would pay more than a renter in Fresno because of proximity to active faults and soil conditions.
The CEA Renter Policy: A Closer Look
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a not-for-profit, publicly managed but privately funded entity that provides the majority of residential earthquake insurance policies in California. The CEA was created in 1996 following the devastating 1994 Northridge earthquake.
CEA Renter Policy Details
| Coverage Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Personal property limits | $5,000 to $200,000 (you choose) |
| Loss of Use limits | Up to $100,000 (you choose) |
| Deductible options | 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25% of personal property coverage |
| Loss of Use deductible | $0 — no deductible |
| Emergency repairs | First $1,500 with no deductible |
| Breakables sub-limit | $500 included at no extra cost (as of 2025) |
| Aftershock window | Shocks within 360 hours (15 days) of initial quake treated as one event |
| Requirement | Must have renters insurance from a CEA-participating insurer |
| 2025 rate change | 6.8% rate increase effective January 1, 2025 |
To purchase a CEA renter policy, you must already have a standard renters insurance policy from one of the CEA's participating insurance companies. You then add the earthquake policy through the same insurer. You can get a cost estimate using the CEA Premium Calculator before committing.
How the Percentage Deductible Works
This is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of earthquake insurance. Unlike your standard renters policy where you might have a flat $500 or $1,000 deductible, earthquake insurance uses a percentage-based deductible.
Here's how it works: if you have $25,000 in personal property coverage with a 5% deductible, your deductible is $1,250 (5% × $25,000). If earthquake damage to your belongings totals $20,000, the insurer subtracts your $1,250 deductible and pays you $18,750. You don't write a check for the deductible — it's simply deducted from your claim payment.
At a 25% deductible on that same $25,000 policy, your deductible would be $6,250. That means damage under $6,250 would result in no payout. For this reason, the deductible you choose represents a significant financial decision.
Renter Earthquake Insurance Options Beyond California
Outside California, renters don't have access to a state-run program like the CEA. Instead, earthquake coverage is available through private insurers. Here are the main ways renters can obtain coverage:
Comparison of Renter Earthquake Insurance Options
| Option | How It Works | Availability | Typical Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEA renter policy | Purchased through participating CA insurer | California only | $35–$300/year | Not-for-profit pricing; flexible deductibles; well-established program | Only available in CA; requires companion renters policy |
| Endorsement to renters policy | Added as rider to existing renters insurance | Most states; varies by insurer | $50–$200/year | Convenient; single bill; no separate policy to manage | May have lower coverage limits; higher deductibles; not all insurers offer it |
| Standalone earthquake policy | Separate policy from a specialty carrier (e.g., GeoVera, Palomar) | CA, OR, WA, and other seismic states | $100–$400/year | Customizable limits; available in high-risk areas where endorsements may not be offered | Separate bill and policy to manage; may require property inspection |
| Difference in Conditions (DIC) policy | Broader catastrophe coverage including earthquake, flood, and landslide | Most states through surplus lines insurers | Varies widely | Covers multiple catastrophe perils in one policy | More expensive; may be harder to obtain; surplus lines carriers have less regulatory oversight |
Renters in Washington and Oregon can get earthquake coverage as an endorsement to their renters policy from many standard insurers, or as a standalone policy from specialty carriers like GeoVera or Palomar. Availability and pricing depend on the specific insurer and location.
For more information about earthquake insurance in specific high-risk states, see our guides to earthquake insurance in California, earthquake insurance in Washington, and earthquake insurance in Oregon.
Why Renters Skip Earthquake Insurance (And Why They Shouldn't)
Despite the low cost, the vast majority of renters in earthquake-prone areas do not carry earthquake coverage. Here's why — and why each of these reasons deserves a second look.
"My landlord's insurance covers me."
As discussed above, this is incorrect. Your landlord's policy covers the building structure. Your personal property and additional living expenses are your responsibility.
"I don't own enough stuff to bother."
Think about how much it would actually cost to replace everything you own — all at once. Add up the replacement cost of your furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchen items, bedding, books, sporting equipment, and anything else in your home. Most renters are surprised to find their belongings are worth $15,000–$50,000 or more. Could you replace all of that out of pocket tomorrow?
"The government will help me."
Federal disaster assistance is often misunderstood. FEMA's Individuals and Households Program maxes out at $43,600 for housing assistance in FY2025, and the average grant is significantly less. This assistance is designed for immediate survival needs — it is not designed to make you whole. Much of the additional federal aid available after a major disaster comes in the form of SBA (Small Business Administration) loans, which must be repaid with interest. Insurance pays a claim; FEMA helps you survive.
"Earthquakes don't happen here."
The USGS identifies 42 states as having some level of earthquake risk. Even outside the well-known high-risk zones of California, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska, significant earthquake risk exists in places like Memphis and St. Louis (the New Madrid Seismic Zone), Charleston, South Carolina, and parts of Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Seismologists have noted that damaging earthquakes can strike in areas with little recent seismic history.
"The deductibles are too high to be worth it."
While percentage-based deductibles mean you absorb the first portion of the loss, the real value of earthquake insurance is catastrophic protection. If an earthquake destroys most of your belongings and forces you out of your home for months, the Loss of Use coverage alone — which has no deductible — could save you thousands of dollars. A $100–$300 annual premium is a modest price for that level of financial protection.
Renter Earthquake Insurance vs. FEMA Disaster Assistance
| Factor | Earthquake Insurance | FEMA Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Anytime you buy a policy | Only after a presidential disaster declaration |
| Personal property | Covered up to your policy limit minus deductible | Limited grants for essential items; SBA loans for the rest |
| Temporary housing | Loss of Use coverage, usually no deductible | Rental assistance and lodging reimbursement available, but amounts are capped |
| Maximum payout | Up to your policy limits (you choose) | $43,600 max for housing assistance (FY2025); most receive far less |
| Repayment required? | No — it's an insurance benefit you paid premiums for | FEMA grants: no. SBA loans: yes, with interest |
| Speed of payout | Typically weeks after filing a claim | Can take weeks to months; requires inspection and verification |
| Application process | File a claim with your insurer | Must apply through DisasterAssistance.gov; may require extensive documentation |
How to Get Earthquake Insurance as a Renter
The process is straightforward:
Step 1: Check with your current renters insurance provider. Ask if they offer an earthquake endorsement or rider that can be added to your existing policy. This is often the simplest and cheapest option.
Step 2: If your insurer doesn't offer it (or if you want to compare), shop around. Contact specialty earthquake insurers like GeoVera, Palomar, or Arrowhead (which partners with GEICO). In California, any CEA-participating insurer can add a CEA earthquake policy.
Step 3: Choose your coverage limits. Estimate the replacement value of your personal property. Don't underestimate — walk through your home room by room and add up what it would cost to replace everything at current retail prices.
Step 4: Choose your deductible. A lower deductible (5%–10%) means more protection but a higher premium. A higher deductible (15%–25%) lowers your premium but means you absorb more of the loss.
Step 5: Review the policy carefully. Understand what's covered, what's excluded, and how the deductible applies. Ask your agent about Loss of Use coverage, the aftershock window, and any sub-limits on breakable items.
For more tips on how to prepare your rental for an earthquake, see our guide to earthquake preparedness for renters.
Sources
- California Earthquake Authority (CEA). "Earthquake Insurance for Renters." earthquakeauthority.com
- California Earthquake Authority (CEA). "Renters Coverage Options and Deductibles." earthquakeauthority.com
- California Department of Insurance. "Earthquake Insurance." insurance.ca.gov
- FEMA. "Individuals and Households Program Fact Sheet." March 2025. fema.gov
- Federal Register. "Notice of Maximum Amount of Assistance Under the Individuals and Households Program." October 2024. federalregister.gov
- ValuePenguin. "Does Renters Insurance Cover Earthquakes?" July 2025. valuepenguin.com
- LendingTree. "Is Earthquake Insurance Worth It?" August 2024. lendingtree.com
- Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. "Earthquake Insurance." insurance.wa.gov
- Oregon Division of Financial Regulation. "Earthquake Insurance." dfr.oregon.gov
- NW Insurance Council. "Earthquake." nwinsurance.org