How to find the best earthquake insurance in 2026

Where to buy earthquake insurance

If you live in California, the CEA should be your first stop when shopping for earthquake insurance. Check to find out if your current home insurance company is one of the insurance companies that provide earthquake insurance through the CEA, and spend some time getting to know what kind of coverage CEA plans offer.

You can then compare CEA plans to what’s available elsewhere, including standalone policies and endorsements. You will likely be required to buy your homeowners and earthquake insurance through the same company if buying a CEA policy.

Outside of California, talk to your current insurance company to see if an endorsement is available. If you’re already happy with your insurer, you will find it easiest to simply add the coverage you need to the existing policy.

“Talk with your insurance agent to find out what is available to you. A standalone policy and an endorsement may both provide the earthquake insurance that you need. Answering the questions to determine your needs will help you and your agent determine the right type and amount of earthquake insurance coverage,” Ruiz says.

Which companies are best for earthquake insurance?

For most people, the best company for earthquake insurance is your current homeowners insurer. In California, many big-name (and smaller) companies partner with the CEA to provide its policies; CEA is the state's largest earthquake insurance provider. In other states, earthquake coverage is more likely to be an endorsement.

Because earthquake insurance options vary, it’s difficult to provide a straightforward ranking to say which is the best. So our editors examined the options, looking at company reputation, available coverage and third-party ratings to identify a list of insurance companies that are good picks for earthquake insurance, in no particular order.

Amica

Pros:

Low rates on home insurance
Great customer service

Cons:

Only offers earthquake insurance in California

Amica earned a spot on our list for several reasons. First, it’s the No. 1 company in our list of the best home insurance companies, based on a comprehensive rating system that includes a customer survey.

Amica works with the CEA to provide earthquake insurance in California, the only state in which the coverage is offered. Earthquake coverage can be added to an Amica home insurance policy, and the company had the lowest average homeowners insurance rates in our recent analysis. You can also bundle auto, life and other coverage to keep all of your insurance in one place.

GeoVera

Pros:

Offers standalone earthquake insurance
Offers online quoting and purchasing

Cons:

No coverage outside of the West Coast
No options for bundling coverage

Earthquake insurance is what GeoVera does. Although the company writes a few other types of coverage in Florida, in the three West Coast states it serves, earthquake insurance is the company’s focus.

GeoVera makes it easy to buy standalone earthquake insurance, with the option to quote and buy online, and sells policies in California, Oregon and Washington. You can’t bundle other policies here, but it’s one of the easiest ways to get coverage fast.

Nationwide

Pros:

Available for high-value homes
Bundling is available
Coverage available in most states

Cons:

Home insurance rates are above average

Nationwide’s Private Client program offers earthquake insurance for high-value homes, making it a good choice for those in California’s pricier ZIP codes. The standard home insurance program is also among those listed on the CEA’s website, making it an option for all homeowners.

Although Nationwide doesn’t offer insurance in every state, it’s available in most. And Nationwide ranked at No. 6 overall among the best home insurance companies.

Liberty Mutual

Pros:

Offers earthquake insurance to renters as well as homeowners
Partners with the CEA
Bundling is available

Cons:

Below-average score for customer service with J.D. Power

Liberty Mutual is one of the largest home insurance companies in the U.S. and partners with the CEA to offer earthquake insurance to homeowners. It also offers an earthquake insurance endorsement for its renters insurance program, allowing renters to protect their personal property.

Liberty Mutual doesn’t provide rates to our data service, Quadrant, and as a result, it’s not ranked in our annual best home insurance companies list. However, our 2026 survey found that 87% of customers are satisfied with the company.

Which insurance companies write California Earthquake Authority insurance policies?

The following carriers are listed as partner insurers on the CAE website:

Allstate
Amica
Progressive
CSAA (AAA)
Auto Club of Southern California (AAA)
California Fair Plan
Ecompass
Farmers
Foremost
Hyundai Marine & Fire
Liberty Mutual
MAPFRE
Mercury
National General
Nationwide
State Farm
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USAA
W Insurance

How to buy earthquake insurance

If you live in California, the CEA is a good place to start when shopping for earthquake insurance. You can also talk to your current insurance company to find out if an earthquake endorsement is available, and if not what the agent or representative recommends. The same applies outside of California.

You may also want to speak with an independent insurance agent who can provide quotes from multiple companies, and perhaps shop your homeowners and auto insurance around at the same time to see if a cheaper bundled option is available.

“Rates for earthquake insurance can vary significantly, from fairly inexpensive in lower-risk areas to a relatively high cost in places that are more prone to earthquakes. Deductibles for earthquake insurance plans are higher than those in standard homeowners or renters insurance, usually from 5 to 15 percent of the policy limit,” Ruiz says.

Make sure you read all of the coverage offers carefully and compare things like coverage for the house and for personal property, limits and deductibles.

FAQ: Earthquake insurance

Is earthquake insurance required in California?

No. There is no law requiring you to buy earthquake insurance in California, and it is not a requirement for a mortgage.

How much is earthquake insurance?

The national average cost of earthquake insurance is $800 a year, according to American Family Insurance, but rates vary by location. High-risk areas, such as those along fault lines, will pay more, while in low-risk areas, coverage will cost less than the average.

What is the California Earthquake Authority?

The California Earthquake Authority is a not-for-profit entity that provides earthquake insurance as a basic policy sold exclusively through participating partner companies. It provides two-thirds of California's residential earthquake insurance.