Earthquake Insurance

 Secure Your Home Against Shaking Ground

When people think of earthquakes, they often think of California – but did you know that Tennessee is actually in two seismic zones? We have the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the west and the East Tennessee Seismic Zone right under useu.knoxnews.com. In fact, our state experiences frequent minor quakes (177 quakes were recorded in Tennessee in 2024 alone ( eu.knoxnews.com )). While most of these are small, experts say a larger quake (magnitude 6 or above) is possible even here, though rare (eu.knoxnews.com ). The bad news: like flood, earthquake damage is NOT covered by standard homeowners insurance. The good news: you can add earthquake coverage to protect your home from this unpredictable threat. Vallie Insurance can help you get earthquake insurance so that if the ground shakes, your financial foundation remains solid.

What Does Earthquake Insurance Cover?
Earthquake coverage can be purchased as an endorsement (add-on) to your home insurance or as a separate policy. It generally includes:

  • Dwelling Coverage: If an earthquake causes structural damage to your home (cracked walls, collapsed chimney, foundation damage, etc.), this covers the cost to repair or even rebuild your house. Earthquakes can cause serious structural harm, and repairs can be very expensive – this coverage is crucial for protecting your investment.

  • Personal Property: Covers damage to your personal belongings due to an earthquake – for example, if a quake causes items to fall and break (dishes, electronics, etc.), or appliances to topple. Imagine shaking can overturn furniture and ruin a lot inside a home. This can help you replace those items.

  • Additional Living Expenses: If your home is badly damaged by a quake and you have to live elsewhere during repairs, this helps pay for temporary housing, meals, and other extra costs (similar to how it works in a homeowners policy, but specific to a loss caused by earthquake).

  • It’s important to note, earthquake insurance typically comes with a higher deductible – often a percentage of the dwelling coverage (commonly 5-15%). For example, if your home is insured for $200,000 and you have a 10% earthquake deductible, the first $20,000 of earthquake damage is essentially your responsibility. This is different from the flat dollar deductibles on homeowners insurance. We’ll help you understand these details so there are no surprises.

Do I Really Need Earthquake Insurance in Tennessee?
It’s true that devastating earthquakes are infrequent in our region. But they aren’t impossible. East Tennessee has numerous small quakes, and while those don’t cause damage, the risk of a moderate quake exists. The New Madrid fault in West TN produced huge quakes in 1811-1812 that were felt across the eastern U.S. It’s a low-probability but high-consequence risk. Consider:

  • Could you afford to rebuild your home out of pocket if a rare but strong earthquake struck and your home was severely damaged?

  • If the answer is “no,” then earthquake coverage is worth considering. It often isn’t very costly, especially compared to your main homeowners premium (depending on your proximity to fault lines and the construction of your home). Many people opt for it as a precaution – a little extra per year for peace of mind.

  • Also, some mortgage lenders in certain areas might require it (though in TN that’s uncommon unless a particular risk is identified). But even if not required, it’s about your personal risk tolerance.

Our Earthquake Insurance Options:

  • We can add an earthquake endorsement to many of our standard home insurance policies. This is convenient and often cost-effective. We’ll check with your home insurer to get a quote for adding the coverage and explain the terms (like the deductible).

  • Alternatively, we have access to standalone earthquake insurance providers if needed – sometimes used for higher-value homes or if the primary insurer doesn’t offer it. We’ll find the best route for you.

  • We’ll also advise on ways to mitigate quake damage: for instance, securing tall furniture to walls, knowing how to shut off utilities after a quake, etc. Preventive measures can improve safety and might even influence rates if your home has certain features (like earthquake bracing). We’re here to help with safety tips as well as insurance.

What to Do After a Quake (FYI):
(We might include a brief note on this for educational value)
If an earthquake hits and your home is damaged, your safety is the first concern. Once safe, you’d contact us or your insurer’s claims hotline just like any other claim. We’d help get an adjuster out to inspect the damage. Keep records of any expenses if you have to relocate temporarily. Our agency will be on hand to guide you through the claims and repair process. Earthquakes are stressful events – having a trusted agent helps lighten the load.