This is one of those things we tell homeowners and they genuinely don't believe us at first. Your standard home insurance policy — the one you've been paying for every month — does not cover earthquake damage. Not a crack in your foundation, not a collapsed chimney, not a total loss. None of it.
In California, where the ground has a well-documented habit of moving, that's a serious problem. And in Calabasas and Hidden Hills specifically, it's one we think about a lot.
If you don't have a separate earthquake policy, give us a call. That's what we're here for.
Why This Area Has More Seismic Risk Than Most
We're not trying to scare anyone — but the geology around here is worth understanding. Several significant fault lines run through or near our community:
The San Andreas Fault — One of the most studied and most dangerous faults in the world.
The Malibu Coast Fault — Runs directly through the Calabasas and Hidden Hills area.
The Santa Monica Fault — Just south of us.
The Northridge Fault — The source of the 1994 earthquake that caused over $20 billion in damage across the west San Fernando Valley.
That last one hits close to home. A lot of homeowners who lived through the Northridge earthquake found out the hard way that their insurance didn't cover what they thought it did. People were left rebuilding out of pocket — sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage, sometimes more. It's not a situation anyone wants to be in.
What Earthquake Insurance Actually Covers
A standard earthquake policy typically includes:
Dwelling Coverage
Repairs or rebuilds your home after earthquake damage.
Personal Property
Replaces furniture, electronics, clothing, and other belongings.
Additional Living Expenses
Covers a hotel or rental while your home is being repaired.
Emergency Repairs
Pays for immediate work needed to prevent further damage right after a quake.
What it usually doesn't cover:
We'll walk you through all of it before you sign anything, so there are no surprises later.
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA)
California has its own earthquake insurance program — the CEA — which is actually the largest residential earthquake insurer in the country. It's available through participating carriers and covers the basics: dwelling, personal property, additional living expenses, and loss of use.
As an independent agency, we work with the CEA and other carriers to find the right fit for your home and your budget.
A Special Note for High-Value Homeowners
If your home is worth $1 million or more, a standard earthquake policy may not cut it. Custom finishes, imported materials, unique architectural details — these things cost significantly more to replace than a standard construction estimate accounts for. We've seen it create real problems at claim time.
When we review earthquake coverage for higher-value homes, we look at:
This is something we do regularly for clients in Hidden Hills and Calabasas, and it's an area where having a local agent who knows the market genuinely makes a difference.
Understanding Earthquake Deductibles — This Part Is Important
Earthquake insurance deductibles don't work like a regular home insurance deductible. Instead of a flat dollar amount, they're calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage — typically somewhere between 10% and 25%.
Here's what that looks like in practice: if your home is insured for $1,000,000 with a 15% deductible, you're covering the first $150,000 out of pocket before the policy kicks in.
That's not a small number, and it's exactly why understanding your deductible structure matters before you ever need to file a claim. We'll lay out your options clearly and help you find the right balance between what you pay in premium and what you'd be on the hook for after a loss.
Why Locals Work With Landecker
We've been in Calabasas since 1986, so we're not guessing about what risks matter here — we know them firsthand. When you call us, you're talking to a licensed local agent, not a call center. We work with multiple carriers including the CEA, which means we can actually shop your options instead of just offering you one take-it-or-leave-it quote. We also specialize in high-value properties, which matters in this market more than most.