Preferred Insurance Services
Flood & Earthquake Insurance
Standard homeowners policies don't cover floods or earthquakes. Both are separate policies — and both are more common than most people expect.
Flooding and earthquakes are two of the most common causes of catastrophic home damage — and both are specifically excluded from standard homeowners policies. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private carriers. Earthquake coverage is available as a standalone policy or endorsement, depending on your carrier. We can quote both and help you understand which options make sense for your property.
What's covered
Flood — Building Coverage
Covers the physical structure of your home — foundation, walls, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more — against rising water damage.
Flood — Contents Coverage
Covers personal belongings like furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances damaged by a flood. Sold separately from building coverage under NFIP.
Private Flood Options
Private carriers often offer higher limits, broader coverage, and faster claims than NFIP. May also be less expensive in lower-risk flood zones.
Earthquake — Dwelling Coverage
Covers repair or rebuilding costs for your home after earthquake damage, including foundation cracking, structural collapse, and masonry damage.
Earthquake — Personal Property
Covers damaged or destroyed personal belongings — furniture, electronics, appliances — resulting from an earthquake.
Earthquake — Loss of Use
Covers additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable after a quake while repairs are underway.
Things to keep in mind
- 1
NFIP flood policies have a 30-day waiting period — you can't buy coverage the day before a storm. Don't wait until a weather event is forecast.
- 2
Utah sits on the Wasatch Fault, one of the most seismically active fault zones in the western U.S. Earthquake coverage is underutilized here — most standard homeowners policies don't include it.
- 3
Even if you're not in a high-risk flood zone, about 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. Premiums in those zones are typically much lower.
- 4
Earthquake policies typically have a percentage-based deductible (often 5–15% of the dwelling coverage amount), not a flat dollar deductible. Factor that into your coverage decision.
Carriers we quote for this line
Common questions
Does my homeowners policy cover flooding or earthquakes?
No. Standard homeowners policies specifically exclude both flood damage and earthquake damage. Each requires a separate policy.
How do I know if I'm in a flood zone?
FEMA maintains flood maps at msc.fema.gov — you can look up your property by address. We can help you interpret your flood zone designation.
Is earthquake insurance worth it in Utah?
For most Utah homeowners, yes. Utah has one of the highest earthquake risks in the country due to the Wasatch Fault. A major event could cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage that your homeowners policy won't cover.
Ready to get a quote?
We'll shop our carriers and bring you the best options for your situation.