Source: SeismoShield analysis of public insurance information
Earthquake damage is not covered by California homeowners insurance policies, although many homeowners mistakenly believe it is included.
To get coverage, you need to pay for a separate earthquake policy or an available earthquake endorsement.
How much does it cost?
- The average residential earthquake policy in California costs $80 per month ($956 annual) according to data from the California Earthquake Authority for 2025. That includes smaller condo and rental policies.
- Full homeowners earthquake policies cost an average $120 per month ($1,440 per year), excluding condo and rental policies.
Here are breakdowns by type of earthquake policy (2025 figures, rounded):
All earthquake policies in California
| Average Cost | $80/month ($956 annual) |
| Policies | 1,591,648 |
| % of policy holders with quake coverage | 12% |
Homeowners
| Average Cost | $120/month ($1,440 annual) |
| Policies | 922,090 |
| % of policy holders with quake coverage | 15% |
Renters
| Average Cost | $7/month ($87 annual) |
| Policies | 407,378 |
| % of policy holders with quake coverage | 13% |
Condominium
| Average Cost | $45/month ($538 annual) |
| Policies | 138,147 |
| % of policy holders with quake coverage | 14% |
Costs vary widely by region as you might expect given the variety of quake hazards in California.
And while the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a non-profit entity, it doesn’t always offer the lowest rates for admitted quake coverage in California.
Multiple carriers offer alternatives to CEA coverage, including Palomar and GeoVera Insurance Group. These carriers offer coverage separate from home insurance. For a final CEA quote or to apply, you must go through your current homeowners insurance agent (or your insurer if you buy directly). Your homeowners insurer must participate in CEA. If CEA isn’t available through them, private-market options may be available.
These are illustrative monthly premiums (not verified current quotes) for parts of several major California cities based on our analysis of public insurance information. We assume $800,000 in dwelling replacement coverage and a 15% deductible.
| City | CEA | Non-CEA Carrier |
| Los Angeles | $130 | $125 |
| Oakland | $341 | $99 |
| Sacramento | $29 | $18 |
| San Diego | $26 | $31 |
| San Francisco | $116 | $125 |
| San Jose | $249 | $118 |
| Santa Barbara | $108 | $74 |
| Santa Rosa | $216 | $97 |
Optional personal-property and loss-of-use coverage are not included in these estimates.
Exact premiums depend on the specific home and location and might not be available for your home. SeismoShield is not affiliated with the CEA, and for a more precise CEA estimate use the CEA’s tool at earthquakeauthority.com.
Other assumptions include a two story wood frame home built in 1975 with a slab foundation and a standard non-tile roof. For private carriers we show one insurer example, not the whole private market. Some carriers require verification of a bolted and/or braced foundation to receive the lowest rates for homes built prior to the 1980s.
A minority of California homeowners choose to pay for earthquake insurance…
- There are 1,591,648 residential earthquake insurance policies active in California as of 2025, versus 1.68 million policies active in 2021.
- About 12% of California residential policy holders pay for earthquake insurance. That includes condo and renters policies. Among full homeowners policies, about 15% carry earthquake coverage.
Standalone private carriers handle over one third of earthquake policies in California, with the rest via the CEA, which had 968,479 policies in force in 2025.
Market share by provider in 2025
- About 61% CEA
- About 39% private carriers
Want to save?
- For some homes built before 1980, verification from a licensed contractor that your home is bolted to its foundation and if cripple walls are present, they are braced, can unlock discounts of 10-25%. Many older homes already have these features.
- Consider a higher deductible – private carriers offer deductibles from 2.5% to 25%, and the CEA from 5% – 25%. Some allow sharing of losses beyond the deductible for lower premiums.