Fast earthquake pricing indications. Real independent market access.
Most "instant quote" sites hand you a number and disappear. We give you a fast pricing indication anchored to real 2026 California rate data — then independent brokers shop the market, review your retrofit and construction details, and turn that indication into bindable options.
We're independent — not tied to any single carrier. Your indication is just the opening move; from there we shop a deep bench of residential earthquake markets to find the appetite, terms, and price that fit your property.
Carrier names indicate markets we access; availability and appetite vary by property class, county, construction, and underwriting. Not all carriers write every risk.
The four coverages that matter most after shaking.
Your homeowners policy covers fire, water, and theft — but excludes ground movement entirely. Earthquake insurance fills that gap, and the structure of the coverage matters as much as the price.
Dwelling & structure
Covers damage to the home's structure caused by earthquake shaking. The limit is typically tied to your homeowners Coverage A value.
Personal property
Covers contents damaged by earthquake. Separate from the dwelling deductible on some policy forms — worth confirming the structure before binding.
Loss of use / ALE
Additional living expenses if the home is uninhabitable after a quake — hotel, meals, and temporary housing while repairs happen.
Building code upgrade
Covers the cost of bringing repairs up to current code — important in California where code requirements can add significantly to repair costs.
A quote form gives you a number. A broker gets you covered.
Automated earthquake quotes are useful for one thing: a fast ballpark. But most are preliminary — still subject to eligibility, retrofit documentation review, carrier appetite, and underwriting before anything can bind. We give you the speed and the part the robots can't: independent judgment working for you.
Speed, then a dead end
- One carrier's appetite — if you don't fit the box, you're declined, not redirected.
- A "quote" that quietly becomes "pending underwriting review" later.
- No one to review retrofit documentation or explain deductible structure.
- The platform works for the carrier — not for you.
Speed, then real market access
- Same fast indication — then we shop CEA, Covwell, ICW, Palomar, and specialty markets.
- Declined elsewhere? We match you to a carrier with the right appetite for your property.
- We review retrofit documents, explain deductible options, and flag coverage gaps.
- We're your advocate — bindable options, not a maze of fine print.
The property details carriers care about most.
Earthquake pricing isn't just about location. Construction type, foundation, retrofit status, deductible selection, and age of the home all move the rate — sometimes dramatically. An independent broker reviews all of it before shopping the market, so you get terms that actually match your property.
County fault context
Location factor by county: San Andreas, Hayward, Newport-Inglewood, Cascadia — carrier pricing reflects proximity and basin conditions.
Construction & foundation
Wood frame, masonry, raised, slab, post-and-pier — each combination moves the rate. Brick masonry and unreinforced foundations can face surcharges or exclusions.
Retrofit documentation
Verified cripple wall bracing, foundation bolting, and water heater strapping can reduce premiums and expand deductible eligibility. We help you document it.
Deductible structure
5–25% dwelling deductibles — lower deductibles cost more but matter enormously in a real claim. Pre-1980 raised foundation homes may face restrictions below 15%.
Building code upgrade
California's strict seismic code requirements mean repair costs often exceed damage costs. BCU coverage bridges the gap — and carriers have different sublimit structures.
A real person follows up
For specialty risks — hillside homes, pre-1940 properties, brick construction — we follow up personally to bring back your best bindable options.
Declined elsewhere? That's where a broker earns their keep.
Hillside homes, pre-1940 construction, brick masonry, prior earthquake loss, or very high values are where instant-quote sites say "declined." For us it's a starting point. Most of these properties are still very coverable — the right carrier just takes market knowledge and a few more conversations.
Hillside & steep slope
Hillside properties with significant grade, fill soil, or retaining walls face heightened liquefaction and lateral movement risk. Specialty earthquake markets write these — the application just needs more detail.
Pre-1940 & masonry
Unreinforced masonry and pre-1940 raised-foundation homes can be harder to place at standard markets. We match older properties to carriers with the right appetite and help document retrofit status.
Prior earthquake loss
A prior earthquake claim or unrepaired damage doesn't automatically disqualify a property — it changes which carrier appetite fits. We follow up personally to find the right placement.
High-value homes
Properties over $2M often require admitted or E&S specialty lines. We access Munich Re EQ, AXIS Capital, and other high-value markets with the capacity and appetite to cover premium coastal and foothill homes.
California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt program can reduce your premium.
The state-funded EBB program provides grants of up to $3,000 for pre-1980 wood-frame homes to pay for cripple wall bracing and foundation bolting. A verified EBB retrofit typically unlocks a discount and can expand your deductible eligibility. We help you document it — coverage and savings can arrive together.
Earthquake insurance FAQ.
Does my homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?
No. Standard California homeowners policies (HO-3, HO-5, and most dwelling forms) specifically exclude earth movement — including earthquake shaking, soil liquefaction, and landslide caused by an earthquake. Damage to your structure, contents, and temporary living expenses all require a separate earthquake insurance policy.
How does a percentage deductible work?
Earthquake insurance uses percentage deductibles — typically 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, or 25% of your insured dwelling limit. On an $800,000 home with a 15% deductible, you'd pay $120,000 out of pocket before coverage responds. Lower deductibles cost more in premium but matter enormously in a real claim. Pre-1980 raised-foundation homes without verified retrofit may face restrictions below 15%.
What is the CEA and should I use it?
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is the largest residential earthquake insurer in the state, a publicly managed not-for-profit that sells through participating homeowners insurers. CEA offers competitive rates for standard risks and is a strong option for many homeowners — but it's not always the best fit. Private market carriers (Covwell, ICW, Palomar, GeoVera, Munich Re EQ) can offer different deductible structures, broader coverage forms, or better pricing for specific property types. We shop all of them.
Does a seismic retrofit actually lower my premium?
Yes — a verified seismic retrofit (foundation bolting + cripple wall bracing) typically produces a meaningful premium credit and can unlock lower deductible eligibility. "Verified" means documented by a contractor, permit, structural engineer, or through the California EBB program. Individual items like water heater strapping are positive but don't produce the same credit as a full formal retrofit.
What if my property has been declined by other carriers?
A decline from one carrier doesn't mean a property is uninsurable — it usually means it doesn't fit that carrier's current appetite. Hillside homes, pre-1940 properties, masonry construction, prior claims, and high values all have specialty and E&S market options. We follow up personally on harder-to-place risks to bring back your best available options.
California county earthquake insurance pages.
Twenty-five county pages, each written around the specific faults beneath that county, the soils and slopes underneath it, the building stock actually standing on it, and what a buyer there should do before applying. Start at the California county index.
Your pricing indication & application, step by step.
Real 2026 California pricing anchored to CDI data, no email wall to see your number, and your signed application completed right here. Outside California? Answer the same questions and we'll follow up with a custom quote — your submission is reviewed by a licensed broker either way.
- 1Property
- 2Coverage
- 3Structure
- 4Retrofit
- 5Review & Sign
Pricing indication
Anchored to the latest CDI residential earthquake market study, adjusted for property details you enter.
Enter a county to see the local risk context.
Indication model uses CDI 2024 $885.96 avg. premium and $1.57 / $1,000 homeowners EQ rate, adjusted for county, construction, foundation, age, and retrofit factors.
Application received.
Your earthquake quote application has been submitted to Bollinsure for broker review. You'll hear from us shortly — often the same business day.
questions? reviews@bollinsure.com · 562-COVWELL