Earthquake Insurance

The companies listed on this page were offering new earthquake insurance policies in the regions checked (✓) as of fall of 2009. Each company has different restrictions on types of homes they cover and the coverage they offer. Contact the company or an agent who represents that company to find out if you can obtain coverage for your home.

Company	Southeast Missouri	St. Louis	Kansas City	Springfield	Columbia
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
American Family Mutual Insurance Company	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Shelter Mutual Insurance Company	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Mid Century Insurance Company (Farmers)
AAA (Auto Club Family Insurance Company)		✓	✓	✓	✓
Safeco Insurance Company of America		✓	✓	✓	✓
Allstate Property & Casualty Insurance Company
Farm Bureau Town & Country Insurance Company of Missouri	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Fire Insurance Exchange (Farmers)
Standard Fire Insurance Company (Travelers)
Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Farmers Insurance Exchange	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company		✓	✓	✓	✓
Allstate Insurance Company
United Services Automobile Association (USAA)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Nationwide Affinity Insurance Company (Allied)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Nationwide Insurance Company of America (Nationwide)	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
The Midwestern Indemnity Company (Liberty Mutual)		✓	✓	✓	✓
Auto Owners Insurance Company
Country Mutual Insurance Company	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

About earthquake insurance

Separate purchase
While consumers may think California when thinking about earthquakes, Missouri has been tabbed as an area that could experience large-scale earthquakes. Californians indeed buy the most earthquake insurance, but Missouri ranks third among all states in total premium volume at more than $84 million. Earthquake coverage is not included on most homeowners insurance policies. It must be purchased as separate coverage, called an "endorsement." This type of insurance requires that the earthquake is the direct cause of damage to the property. Natural disasters can, in many instances, trigger other events that may also damage property. One example is earthquakes causing bodies of water to produce waves, resulting in flooding.

What is covered
Earthquake coverage pays for damage caused by the shaking and cracking that can harm homes. Other damage may be covered by other insurance. Fire and water damage due to burst gas and water pipes - even though it may be caused by a quake - is generally covered by the standard portion of the homeowners policy. Earthquake damage to vehicles is covered by the comprehensive portion of auto policies.

Pricing and availability
Earthquake insurance usually features two high deductibles: rather than a dollar amount, it's a percentage of the cost of rebuilding the home and a separate deductible for the home's contents. Ddeductibles of 10-15 percent are common. Premiums are higher in southeast Missouri and St. Louis than other parts of the state. With these percentages, the owner of a $200,000 home could expect to pay up to $45,000 in deductibles before receiving any benefit from their earthquake insurance policy.

The material used to build the home can also determine premiums or whether your home is even insurable. For instance, rates may be cheaper for wood-frame homes, which withstand tremors better than homes made of masonry such as brick and stone. Single-story homes may also receive better rates as they tend to sustain less damage from an earthquake. Age of the home can also affect premiums. Some insurers will not offer earthquake insurance for masonry homes.