Earthquake Insurance

Stand-Alone Washington State Earthquake Insurance

It’s no secret. Here in Washington State, we live on shaky grounds. Tectonic plates are moving and shifting underneath our feet, and although that’s what’s creating landscapes as beautiful as the Olympic Mountains, they are also causing deadly catastrophes.

An earthquake could strike anywhere, at any time, and without any warning as it did in Washington State in early 2001. That’s why it is crucial to protect yourself with Earthquake Insurance if you live in the Pacific Northwest.

Start Your Earthquake Quote

Earthquakes are not covered by a standard homeowners policy, but they can destroy your home in a heartbeat. Can you risk one of your largest assets, your home? Can you rely on FEMA to bail you out if a quake hits your region? Our clients have told us that they worry earthquake insurance may be too expensive, or that their home may not qualify for coverage. Others were refused or dropped by their insurance companies.

Earthquake insurance in Washington can be very inexpensive!

We have earthquake insurance options for you!

If you live in Washington or Oregon, you can’t afford not to have quake insurance!

McClain Insurance Services represents GeoVera Insurance, a company that specializes in Washington Earthquake Insurance Coverage. This policy provides you with several advantages:

• Unique stand-alone earthquake coverage.
• Easy underwriting, no inspection or retrofitting required.
• 95% of Washington State homes qualify.
• Choice of deductibles from 2.5% to 25%.
• Custom rating of each house.
• Coverage provided by carriers rated “Excellent” by A.M. Best.

See just how affordable Earthquake Insurance can be!

New Earthquake Fault Lines Discovered

The “Big One” is still out there and decades overdue.  The last time, this happened in 1700 when plates shifted offshore, causing a midnight tremor that lasted over 5 minutes and all but destroyed native villages and communities on Washington’s and Oregon’s coastlines and around the Puget Sound.

There are the dozens of intangible ‘mini-quakes’ that happen in our region every week. (Need proof?  Visit the Earthquake Tracker for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest for an eye-opening real-time map.)

And then, there are the many shallow seismic faults that are being discovered by state and federal geologists that have the potential to cause extensive damage and loss of life.  The recent discovery of these fault lines lead to the assumption that virtually no part of Washington State is immune from earthquake damage.

Earthquake Simulation

This video will show you what an earthquake could look like in our area. This is why it’s critical that you have the proper insurance in place, along with a solid preparedness plan.

* Please Note:  Insurance policies vary from company to company and from state to state.  Not every Washington State insurance policy will include every coverage described above.  Be sure to read your policy and check with your insurance agent for personalized information.

Thank you for visiting QuakeQuotes, Washington State’s earthquake insurance specialists since 1977. Our team is comprised of professional insurance advisors licensed to write earthquake insurance in Washington and Oregon. If you don’t see your questions answered below, please contact us. We are here to help and look forward to assisting you with your earthquake insurance needs!

What is an earthquake?

According to FEMA, an earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can:

• Collapse buildings
• Cause heavy items to fall
• Cause fires and damage to roads
• Cause ground failure, including landslides and liquefaction
• Cause tsunamis

resulting in injuries, death, and property damage.

What happens during an earthquake?

If you’re new to the Pacific Northwest, you may not have experienced an earthquake before. In 2016, Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management hosted a “Big Shaker” earthquake event so people could experience what an 8.0-magnitude earthquake feels like. You can watch a video of the simulation below:

What would happen if an earthquake hit Washington?

This simulation from the Washington State Department of Transportation demonstrates how disastrous a strong earthquake could be. Although the Alaskan Way Viaduct has been torn down, this still serves as a powerful reminder about the possible effects of an earthquake: 

Does my home insurance policy cover earthquake insurance?

No, most Washington and Oregon homeowners and condo insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for earthquake damage. King 5 News explains:

On the rare occasion your homeowners insurance policy does cover earthquake damage, it’s still worth considering a separate earthquake insurance policy. Standalone earthquake insurance policies in Washington and Oregon are usually more cost-effective and provide better protection than coverage that is endorsed, or added on, to a home insurance policy. 

How much does earthquake insurance cost in Washington? 

Although The Seattle Times reported earthquake insurance prices in Washington have soared in recent years, there are affordable earthquake insurance options available for most Seattle residents. The exact cost of earthquake insurance in Seattle varies based on a number of factors, including the following:

• Location of your home, including proximity to a fault line
• Construction characteristics of your home. This includes the material your home is built out of (such as wood or brick), foundation type, and age of your home
• The replacement cost of your home. The more expensive your home costs to rebuild, the more expensive it will be to insure
• The deductible you choose. Our companies offer deductibles ranging from 2.5% to 25%. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium

Although our earthquake insurance companies do not require homes in Washington be retrofitted, some retrofitted homes may qualify for a premium discount.

Want to know how much your Seattle earthquake insurance costs? Fill out our online quote form or call us at (425) 379-9200, and a licensed QuakeQuotes insurance agent will be in touch with you within two business hours. Premiums start at under $10/month!

Do I need earthquake insurance?

Yes! Washington has the second-highest seismic risk of any state in the country, after California. We recommend earthquake insurance to all Pacific Northwest residents. Our team has seen firsthand the emotional and financial losses earthquakes cause. 

After the “big one” hits, reimbursement from an earthquake insurance policy can mean the difference between despair and hope for many families. For many of us, our homes are our largest financial asset. This is why purchasing earthquake insurance is so critical.

If you are not insured against earthquakes and your home suffers earthquake damage,  You could be in serious financial trouble because there is no coverage to repair or replace your home and you have to continue making your mortgage payment.

What does an earthquake policy cover?

Our Pacific Northwest earthquake insurance policies are customizable to your needs. Unless waived, they automatically include coverage for:

• the structure of your home
• it’s contents
• any detached structures on your property, such as a detached garage 
• additional living expenses if your home is not habitable due to earthquake damage

If you live in a condo, your earthquake insurance policy can also provide coverage for loss assessment.

Is earthquake insurance expensive?

In many areas of Washington and Oregon, earthquake insurance is not expensive. Earthquake insurance can be more expensive in Seattle, where homes are older and in close proximity to fault lines. 

What happens if I don’t buy earthquake insurance?

Thanks to Seattle’s booming real estate market, your home may be your largest asset. Can you afford to rely on FEMA to bail you out if a large earthquake hits our region?

If you are not insured against earthquakes and your home suffers earthquake damage, you could be in serious financial trouble. Because you would have no coverage to repair or replace your home and you have to continue making your mortgage payment.

Affected homeowners may qualify for a loan through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, after watching news reports on Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters, we cannot recommend clients rely on FEMA to help rebuild their homes and their lives.

Why are we so passionate about earthquake insurance? 

QuakeQuotes founder, Claudia McClain, grew up in Southern California practicing monthly “duck and cover” earthquake drills. Later in life, she experienced firsthand the emotional and financial losses earthquakes can cause.

These experiences led Claudia to found McClain Insurance Services in Everett, Washington, in 1977. Since then, our mission has been simple and clear: to help clients re-establish their lives as quickly and as completely as possible after a loss.

Why do business with us? We’re real people who love protecting families in Everett, Seattle, and across the Pacific Northwest. We’re here to educate you about your insurance options and make sure you’re properly protected from all of life’s surprises – including the “Big One.” Protecting your family and your belongings is our priority.

In addition to earthquake insurance, we advise clients on all their personal insurance needs, including homeowners and renters insurance, auto insurance, and life insurance. We can also assist with insuring more unique family needs like electric bicycles, Airbnb and other vacation rental properties, and in-home businesses.

Most importantly, as independent insurance agents, we partner with the Pacific Northwest’s best insurance companies. This allows us to offer choices to every client.

Meet Dova Smith, QuakeQuotes Earthquake Insurance Specialist 

QuakeQuotes insurance agent Dova Smith has been part of our team for almost 10 years. As our lead earthquake insurance specialist, Dova helps clients evaluate their risks for natural disasters and spends time tailoring earthquake insurance to each client’s unique needs. She also trains our team on changes in the Washington earthquake insurance market, earthquake insurance claims handling, and more.

Dova is a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. After serving our country, she moved home to Everett, Washington, where she lives with her husband, Shawn. They love singing karaoke, tasting wine from Washington wineries, and spending time with their dogs, Nattie and Emma.

Learn more about McClain Insurance and our entire team of licensed insurance advisors.