Insurance coverage for earthquakes is similar to that for floods, meaning that it’s excluded from a homeowners policy. As with flood insurance, earthquake insurance must be purchased as a separate policy. Those considering this option may want to consult with the U.S. Geological Survey’s seismic-zone maps for their local areas. Zones are labeled from 1 to 4 on the basis of how severe a seismic event could potentially be. While homeowners along the west coast of this country may not be surprised to learn they live in an area that has a high probability of experiencing an earthquake, those in other areas may not be sufficiently familiar with just how likely it is that an earthquake might occur.
NOTE: Rental insurance does not cover damage from earthquakes.