Earthquake insurance in Missouri

Home · Updated October 2026

Earthquake is excluded from standard policies

A standard homeowners policy does not cover damage caused by earthquakes or earth movement. If the ground shakes and your foundation cracks or your chimney falls, the standard policy will not pay. Coverage requires an earthquake endorsement or a separate earthquake policy.

Missouri's earthquake risk

The New Madrid Seismic Zone runs through the Bootheel and southeast Missouri, along with parts of neighboring states. It produced a series of major earthquakes in 1811 and 1812 and remains seismically active. Risk is highest in southeast Missouri and decreases with distance, but strong earthquakes can cause damage far from their source, and southwest Missouri is not immune to shaking.

Whether coverage makes sense for you depends on your location, your home's construction, and how you would handle a loss without it.

How earthquake coverage typically works

• Added to your homeowners policy as an endorsement, or bought as a separate policy
• Separate deductible, often a percentage of your dwelling coverage, such as 5% to 20%
• Covers the dwelling and often personal property and additional living expenses, depending on the form
• Usually excludes damage from fire following an earthquake (which the homeowners policy usually covers), flood, and some masonry features unless specifically included

The deductible is the key decision

Earthquake deductibles are often large. On a home insured for $250,000, a 10% deductible means you pay the first $25,000. The coverage is designed for serious damage, not cracked drywall.

Who tends to buy it

• Homeowners in southeast Missouri and closer to the seismic zone
• Owners of older brick or masonry homes, which can be more vulnerable to shaking
• People who could not rebuild without insurance
• Homeowners with significant equity in the house

Getting a quote

Not every company offers earthquake coverage on every home. Ask us to price it with your homeowners quote. Seeing the premium and the deductible in dollars makes the decision much clearer.

Personal property and living expenses

Some earthquake endorsements cover only the dwelling. Others include personal property and additional living expenses, sometimes with separate limits. If your home were unlivable for months, living expenses could add up quickly. Ask exactly what the endorsement covers.

Older homes and retrofits

Older homes with brick chimneys, unreinforced masonry or homes not bolted to their foundations can be more vulnerable to shaking. Retrofitting, such as bracing a chimney or anchoring the house to the foundation, may reduce damage. Ask a qualified contractor about your home.

Making the decision

Ask yourself: if an earthquake caused $60,000 of damage to your home tomorrow, how would you pay for it? If the answer is "I couldn't," price the endorsement and look at the premium and deductible in dollars. Then decide.

Common questions

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?

No. Earthquake damage requires an endorsement or a separate policy.

How much is the earthquake deductible?

Often a percentage of dwelling coverage, commonly between 5% and 20%.

Is earthquake insurance worth it in southwest Missouri?

Risk is lower than in southeast Missouri, but not zero. It depends on your home and how you would handle a loss without coverage.

Does earthquake coverage include fire after an earthquake?

Fire following an earthquake is usually covered by the homeowners policy itself.

Related

• Home insurance
• What homeowners insurance does not cover
• How much dwelling coverage do you need?
• Percentage wind and hail deductibles, in dollars

Questions about your own situation? Call 417.206.3733 or send us your current policy. We are licensed in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma, and you can buy by phone without coming in.