An earthquake damaged my house, and my home insurance says it is not covered. Why?

Home insuranceDeniedTexasWashingtonChecked Nov 7, 2026

From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-07 · Source: Texas Department of Insurance · Home insurance guide · What risks does a home policy cover? (most policies don't cover) View original ↗

In short

Most home policies do not pay for quake damage.
Check if you bought quake coverage as an add-on.
Quake coverage often has a big deductible.

What this means

Most home policies do not cover damage from earthquakes or earth movement [1]. That is why many earthquake claims are turned down. You can add earthquake coverage to your policy or buy it on its own [2]. In Texas, damage from earthquakes is one of the common add-ons (endorsements) [3].

If you have earthquake coverage, it has its own deductible. In Washington, the deductible is usually 10%-25% of the most your policy will pay for your building [4]. It only pays for damage that costs more than the deductible [5]. After an earthquake, you usually need to wait a while before you can buy it [6].

If you have earthquake coverage and the insurer still says no, ask for the reason in writing. In Texas, the notice that rejects a claim must state the reasons [7]. These sources come from Texas and Washington, so rules in your state may differ.

Your next step

Look at your declarations page today for an earthquake add-on or a separate earthquake policy. If you have one, file the claim and ask for any denial reason in writing [7]. The sources give no deadline for this — act soon.

Check it yourself

Read the exclusions part of your home policy for "earth movement", and the list of add-ons. These sources are from Texas and Washington only, so rules in your state may differ. Other states, such as California, may have their own earthquake rules; we did not check them — "Don't know yet".

Where this comes from (7)

[1] Texas Department of Insurance · Home insurance guide · What risks does a home policy cover? (most policies don't cover) · checked 2026-11-07
Earthquakes or earth movement
[2] Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner · Earthquake insurance · What is earthquake insurance and how does it work? · checked 2026-11-07
Earthquake insurance is coverage you add to your homeowner or renter insurance or buy separately.
[3] Texas Department of Insurance · Home insurance guide · Extra coverage (endorsements) · checked 2026-11-07
Damage from earthquakes.
[4] Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner · Earthquake insurance · What is earthquake insurance and how does it work? · checked 2026-11-07
Its deductibles are usually 10%-25% of the maximum amount your insurance will pay for your building.
[5] Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner · Earthquake insurance · What is earthquake insurance and how does it work? · checked 2026-11-07
It only pays for damages that cost more than the deductible.
[6] Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner · Earthquake insurance · What is earthquake insurance and how does it work? · checked 2026-11-07
After an earthquake, you usually need to wait a while before you can buy it.
[7] Texas Legislature · Texas Insurance Code · Sec. 542.056(c) · checked 2026-11-07
If the insurer rejects the claim, the notice required by Subsection (a) or (b) must state the reasons for the rejection.

How we found this

We matched your question to 7 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-07.

What we don’t know yet

Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.

Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.

Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.

This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.

Ask a question Compare prices Get help with my claim