Because We All Know “The Big One” is Coming

Let’s be real – California and earthquakes go together. We’ve got the San Andreas Fault, the Hayward Fault, and dozens of other active fault lines running through the state. It’s not a question of IF a major earthquake will hit, it’s WHEN.

At Pay Low Insurance, we help California homeowners protect themselves with earthquake insurance. Your regular home insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage – you need a separate policy. Don’t wait until after the shaking stops to realize you should’ve had coverage.

Why Earthquake Insurance Matters in California

Your Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover Earthquakes

Standard homeowners insurance specifically excludes earthquake damage. If “the big one” hits and your house is damaged or destroyed, you’re on your own without earthquake insurance.

California Has Serious Earthquake Risk

Over 500 active fault lines in California
99% chance of a magnitude 6.7+ earthquake in the next 30 years
San Andreas could produce an 8.0+ earthquake
Even small earthquakes can cause expensive damage

One Earthquake Can Wipe You Out

Foundation damage, cracked walls, collapsed chimneys, broken gas lines – earthquake repairs get expensive fast. We’re talking tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Aftershocks Keep Damaging

The initial quake is just the start. Aftershocks can continue for weeks or months, causing additional damage each time.

What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?

Your Home’s Structure

Damage to your house including:

Foundation cracks and shifting
Structural damage
Roof damage
Chimney collapse
Broken windows
Cracked walls and ceilings

Your Personal Belongings

Everything inside that gets damaged or destroyed:

Furniture
Electronics
Appliances
Clothes
Whatever else you own

Additional Living Expenses

If your home becomes unlivable, this covers:

Hotel or rental costs
Meals
Storage
Other expenses while repairs are being made

Usually covers 12-24 months of expenses.

Other Structures

Detached garages, sheds, fences – those are covered too.

What’s NOT Covered

Standard earthquake policies don’t cover:

Landscaping – Trees, plants, lawn damage

Pools and Spas – Usually excluded

Masonry Features – Brick patios, stone walls (unless attached to the house)

Land – Soil movement or land settling

Vehicles – That’s what comprehensive auto insurance is for

Fire Following Earthquake – Actually your regular home insurance covers this

How Much Does It Cost?

Earthquake insurance isn’t cheap, but it’s way cheaper than rebuilding your house out of pocket.

Typical Costs:

Older wood-frame house: $800-2000/year
Newer wood-frame house: $600-1200/year
Multi-story or brick homes: $1500-3000+/year

What Affects Your Rate:

Location – Closer to fault lines = higher rates

Home Age – Older homes cost more to insure

Construction Type – Wood frame is cheapest, brick and masonry cost more

Retrofitting – Homes bolted to foundation get discounts

Deductible – Usually 10-25% of your home’s value

Understanding Earthquake Deductibles

This is important – earthquake deductibles work differently than regular insurance.

Percentage-Based Deductibles

Unlike your $500 or $1000 home insurance deductible, earthquake deductibles are a percentage of your home’s insured value.

Common Deductibles:

10% (lowest available, highest premium)
15% (most common)
20%
25% (highest, lowest premium)

Example: Home insured for $500,000 with 15% deductible Earthquake causes $100,000 in damage You pay: $75,000 (15% of $500k) Insurance pays: $25,000

Yeah, that’s a big deductible. But if your house is totaled at $500k, you’d only pay $75k instead of the whole thing.

Common Questions

Isn’t earthquake insurance too expensive?

It’s not cheap, but ask yourself – could you afford $50k-200k in earthquake damage out of pocket? Most people can’t. Insurance spreads that risk out over time.

What about that huge deductible?

Yeah, 10-25% is a lot. But earthquake insurance is really for catastrophic damage. It’s not meant for minor cracks – it’s meant to save you from total financial ruin if the big one hits.

Should I get it if my house is paid off?

If you can afford to rebuild your house from scratch, maybe you don’t need it. But most people can’t drop $400k-800k to rebuild. So yeah, you probably still need it.

My house is new. Do I still need it?

Newer homes are built to better earthquake standards, but they can still be seriously damaged or destroyed. Plus your contents can be destroyed even if the structure holds up.

Can I get it through the California Earthquake Authority?

Yes, most California homeowners get earthquake insurance through CEA. We can set that up for you. There are also private carriers we work with.

What if I’m in a condo?

Condo owners can get earthquake coverage for their unit’s interior and contents. The HOA should have coverage for the building, but you need your own policy too.

Does it cover landslides?

Only if the landslide is caused by an earthquake. Otherwise no.

CEA vs Private Earthquake Insurance

California Earthquake Authority (CEA)

State-backed program, most common option.

Coverage:

$5,000 minimum coverage for personal property
$15,000 minimum for loss of use
Basic coverage package

Pros:

Available to almost all California homeowners
Stable, backed by the state
Standardized coverage

Cons:

High deductibles (10-25%)
Limited coverage options
Can be expensive

Private Earthquake Insurance

Some insurance companies offer their own earthquake policies.

Pros:

Sometimes cheaper than CEA
More coverage options
Sometimes lower deductibles available
Better contents coverage

Cons:

Not all carriers offer it
May have stricter underwriting

We’ll check both options and find you the best deal.

How to Lower Your Premium

Retrofit Your Home

Bolting your house to its foundation can save you 15-25% on premiums. Other retrofits help too:

Cripple wall bracing
Water heater strapping
Gas shut-off valve

Choose a Higher Deductible

Going from 10% to 20% deductible can cut your premium in half. Just make sure you can afford that deductible if you need it.

Newer Construction

If you’re buying, newer homes (built after 1980, especially after 2000) cost less to insure.

Bundle Policies

Some carriers give discounts if you have your homeowners and earthquake insurance together.

Maintain Your Policy

Long-term policyholders sometimes get loyalty discounts.

Earthquake Risk by California Region

Bay Area

Super high risk. Hayward Fault runs right through it. San Andreas is close too. One of the most at-risk areas in the state.

Los Angeles Area

Multiple fault lines including San Andreas. High risk for a major earthquake. Northridge quake in 1994 caused $20+ billion in damage.

San Diego County

Lower risk than LA or Bay Area, but still multiple active faults. Rose Canyon Fault runs offshore near San Diego.

Central Valley

Moderate risk, surrounded by fault lines on both sides.

Northern California

High risk, especially near the coast. Cascadia Subduction Zone could produce a massive earthquake.

Basically Everywhere

No part of California is earthquake-free. Even low-risk areas can be damaged by a major quake nearby.

What to Do After an Earthquake

Check for Damage

Look for:

Foundation cracks
Structural damage
Gas leaks
Water leaks
Chimney damage

Document Everything

Take photos and videos of all damage before cleanup or repairs.

Call Us Immediately

We’ll help you file your claim and walk you through the process.

Make Temporary Repairs

Prevent further damage with tarps, turning off utilities, whatever’s needed. Keep all receipts.

Don’t Make Permanent Repairs

Wait for the adjuster to see the damage before fixing things permanently.

Be Patient

After a major earthquake, there will be thousands of claims. It takes time to process everything.

Before an Earthquake Hits

Buy Insurance Now

There’s usually a 15-day waiting period after you buy the policy. Don’t wait until after a quake to get coverage.

Retrofit Your Home

Bolt it to the foundation, brace cripple walls, strap the water heater. Makes your home safer AND lowers your premium.

Create an Emergency Kit

Water, food, first aid, flashlights, radio. Have it ready.

Know Your Shut-Offs

Learn how to turn off gas, water, and electricity if needed.

Secure Heavy Items

Bolt bookshelves and TVs to walls. Secure water heater. Put latches on cabinets.

Is It Worth It?

Here’s the thing – earthquake insurance is expensive, and the deductibles are huge. So is it worth it?

Ask yourself these questions:

Could I afford to rebuild my house from scratch?
Could I come up with $50k-150k for a high deductible?
Would losing my home destroy me financially?
Am I willing to gamble that a major earthquake won’t hit?

For most California homeowners, the answer is yes, it’s worth it. Because when the big one hits, you’ll be really glad you have it.

Get Your Free Earthquake Insurance Quote

Don’t wait for the ground to start shaking. Protect your home now.

Call: 619-736-1313
Email: info@paylowinsurance.com
Visit: 415 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020

Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 6PM
Saturday: 10AM – 2PM
Sunday: Closed

Protecting California Homes Statewide

We help homeowners throughout California – from San Diego to San Francisco, from the coast to the Sierra Nevada – get earthquake insurance that fits their budget and gives them peace of mind.

Call us or stop by our office. We’ll explain your options, compare CEA and private carriers, and find you the best coverage at the best price.

The big one is coming. Make sure you’re ready.