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Home > Insurance Policies > Homeowners > Homeowners Coverages & Deductibles
You might be surprised to discover how flexible and budget-friendly earthquake insurance can be. CEA offers a variety of coverage choices and deductible options for your house.
CEA is not-for-profit. Our insurance rates are based on the best available science and research, not profit.
CEA’s rates are based on science, not profit. We use the best available science and research to set competitive earthquake insurance rates.
Use the CEA premium calculator to get an insurance cost estimate. Then, contact your residential insurer, who will help you purchase your policy.
How to Buy a Policy
Coverage options for homeowners*
Our earthquake insurance for homeowners allows you to choose between two policies: purchase all of your coverages together under one deductible, or choose to have separate deductibles for your dwelling and personal property. With many coverage limits and deductibles to choose from, you’ll find a policy to fit your needs and budget.
| Coverages | Standard Homeowners | Homeowners Choice | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home(dwelling) | Included | Included | Covers earthquake damage to your home and certain structures attached to it, like an attached garage. |
Coverage Limits | Same as your homeowners insurance policy | Same as your homeowners insurance policy | Your home is covered up to the Dwelling’s insured value on your homeowners insurance policy. For example, if your home insurance value is $200,000, your earthquake insurance coverage will be the same amount. |
Deductible | 5%-25% | 5%-25% | Deductible options are 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% of your Dwelling (Home) coverage. For new policies written on or after August 1, 2023 and renewals on or after November 1, 2023, 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. Claim-payment example:
|
| Personal Property | Included | Optional | Covers damage to your belongings, like TVs and furniture. |
Coverage Limits | Up to $25,000 | Up to $25,000 | Available in limits of $5,000 or $25,000. |
Deductible | Included under your Dwelling deductible—no Personal Property losses can be paid unless Dwelling loss exceeds the policy’s deductible. | 5%-25% | The Homeowners Choice policy offers Personal Property coverage deductibles of 5%-25%. For new policies written on or after August 1, 2023 and renewals on or after November 1, 2023, 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. This deductible is separate from the dwelling deductible, which may allow you to receive a personal property claim payment even if you don’t meet the dwelling deductible. And, if the dwelling deductible is met, the personal property deductible is waived. Homeowners Choice claim-payment example:
|
| Loss of Use | Included | Optional | Covers additional living expenses if you need to live and eat elsewhere because earthquake damage or a civil authority prevents you from residing in your home. If your dwelling is held for rent, loss of use (fair rental value) is covered. |
Coverage Limits | Up to $100,000 | Up to $100,000 | Available in limits of $1,500, $10,000, $15,000, $25,000, $50,000, $75,000 and $100,000. |
| Deductible | None | None | There is never a deductible for Loss of Use. |
Building Code Upgrade | Included | Included | Local authorities often require that rebuilding or significant repair work be performed in a manner consistent with current building codes (not the codes that were in effect when the property was built). This coverage helps pay expenses associated with code-compliant rebuilding or repairs. |
Coverage Limits | $10,000 included, $20,000 and $30,000 optional | $10,000 included, $20,000 and $30,000 optional | All CEA homeowners policies include $10,000 in building code upgrade coverage. You can also choose to raise the coverage to $20,000 or $30,000. |
Deductible | Paid after the dwelling deductible is met | Paid after the dwelling deductible is met | Once your covered dwelling damage exceeds the deductible, you could be eligible for payment for Building Code Upgrades, up to your chosen limit. |
Emergency Repairs | Included | Included | Covers earthquake-damage repairs that are needed to protect your house or personal property from further damage (examples: repair broken windows or remove broken glass). |
Coverage Limits | Up to 5% of homeowners and Personal Property limit | Up to 5% of homeowners and Personal Property limit | For example, if your house is insured for $200,000 and an earthquake strikes causing $80,000 in damage, you have up to 5% ($10,000) in Emergency Repairs coverage to make your house safe to live in. |
Deductible | First $1,500 has no deductible | First $1,500 has no deductible | Emergency Repairs provide coverage up to 5% of dwelling and 5% of the personal property limit. The first $1,500 is not subject to the deductible. |
Breakables | Not available for new policies written on or after August 1, 2023 and renewals on or after November 1, 2023. | ||
Exterior Masonry Veneer | Not available for new policies written on or after August 1, 2023 and renewals on or after November 1, 2023. |
We encourage you to read your entire CEA policy—and its policy declarations page—to understand your coverages and how they work. Exclusions and special limits apply. All terms and conditions of CEA insurance coverage are found in the CEA insurance-policy form. Refer to a sample policy, below.
Homeowners Choice Policy Sample** (PDF)
Standard Homeowners Policy Sample** (PDF)
* Reflects policy option changes that went into effect for new policies written on or after August 1, 2023 and for renewals on or after November 1, 2023. These changes include Dwelling Deductible Options (Coverage A), Personal Property Limits (Coverage C), Breakables, and Exterior Masonry Veneer. Learn more about our 2023 Policy Option Changes.
Homeowners Policy Coverages & Deductibles FAQs
We've gathered some frequently asked questions from homeowners to help you understand how a CEA policy can help you recover from the next damaging earthquake.
See All FAQs
Q: Do I need to retrofit my house before I can buy a CEA policy?
A. You do not need to retrofit your house to before buying a CEA policy. However, depending on the year your house was built, a retrofit can make it stronger and more resistant to earthquake damage, and qualify you for a CEA premium discount.
Q: As a homeowner, am I eligible for a retrofit discount?
A. If your qualifying home was built before 1980 and has been seismically retrofitted, you may qualify for up to a 25% premium discount with a retrofit verification.
And, learn more about the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program, which offers grants of up to $3,000 to help pay for a seismic retrofit.
Q: How does CEA’s deductible work? Do I have to pay the deductible before receiving a payment?
A. You do not pay your deductible out-of-pocket. The deductible is subtracted from your covered damage so you don’t have to pay any of the deductible up front to receive a claim payment.
Q: Will CEA pay for expenses if I have to move out of my home because of earthquake damage?
A. If you purchased Loss of Use coverage, you are eligible to receive payment for the additional living expenses necessary to maintain your normal standard of living, up to the coverage limit you selected. Remember that Loss of Use coverage never has a deductible!
Q: Who handles CEA applications, renewals, and claims?
A. CEA participating residential insurance companies process all policy applications, renewals, payments and claims.
Q: Is my home at risk from an earthquake?
A. There are thousands of known faults in California, and scientists continue to discover new ones. Since earthquakes can happen anywhere in California, damage to your home and personal property is always possible. Check to see earthquake risk near you and take steps to get prepared!
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