Earthquake Insurance in Massachusetts
Earthquakes are not a common concern for many Massachusetts homeowners — but they can happen, and damage caused by earth movement is typically not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies.
Earthquake insurance is designed to help address that coverage gap for homeowners who want added protection against this specific risk.
What Is Earthquake Insurance?
Earthquake insurance is a separate policy or endorsement that may help cover damage caused by earth movement, including shaking, cracking, or ground displacement.
Most homeowners insurance policies exclude earthquake-related damage. Without separate coverage, repairs to your home or replacement of damaged property caused by an earthquake would generally be your responsibility.
Is Earthquake Insurance Necessary in Massachusetts?
Earthquake insurance is not required in Massachusetts, and it is not a common purchase for every homeowner. However, some property owners choose to explore coverage based on factors such as:
- Property location and soil conditions
- Age and construction type of the home
- Personal risk tolerance
- Financial ability to absorb repair or rebuilding costs
Choosing whether or not to carry earthquake insurance is a personal decision and depends on your comfort level with risk.
What Earthquake Insurance May Cover
Coverage varies by insurer and policy, but earthquake insurance may include:
- Dwelling coverage – Helps cover structural damage to the home caused by earth movement.
- Personal property coverage – May help cover damage to belongings inside the home.
- Additional living expenses – May help with temporary housing costs if your home becomes uninhabitable after a covered event.
Earthquake policies often have separate deductibles, which are typically higher than standard homeowners deductibles.
How Earthquake Insurance Fits Into Your Overall Coverage
Earthquake insurance is often considered alongside other specialized coverages, such as:
- Homeowners Insurance 👉 Massachusetts Home Insurance: What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
- High-Value Home Insurance – For properties with higher rebuilding costs
👉 High-Value Home Insurance - Flood Insurance – Flood damage is a separate risk and requires its own policy
👉 Flood Insurance
Understanding how these coverages work together can help avoid unexpected gaps.
Earthquake Insurance Guidance from Risman Insurance Agencies
Risman Insurance Agencies helps Massachusetts homeowners understand their insurance options, including whether earthquake insurance is appropriate for their situation.
As an independent agency, we can review available coverage options, explain policy features, and help you make an informed decision based on your property and risk tolerance.
Insurance coverage cannot be added, deleted, or changed until confirmed in writing from our office.
Ready to Review Your Coverage?
If you have questions about earthquake insurance or would like to review how your homeowners coverage handles earth movement, our team is here to help.
