Earthquakes in Oklahoma: a short history
Oklahoma had few felt earthquakes for most of the twentieth century. That changed in the late 2000s, when the rate of earthquakes rose sharply across central and north-central Oklahoma. State and federal scientists have linked much of that increase to the deep disposal of wastewater from oil and gas production, and regulators later restricted disposal volumes in the most active areas. The rate of earthquakes has since declined from its peak, though felt quakes still happen.
The largest recorded Oklahoma earthquake was the magnitude 5.8 event near Pawnee on September 3, 2016. It cracked brick and damaged buildings in Pawnee and was felt across a wide area. The 2011 earthquake near Prague also caused damage in Lincoln County.
Coverage comes first
Standard homeowners and commercial policies exclude earth movement, including earthquakes. Coverage usually comes from a separate earthquake endorsement or policy. Those endorsements commonly carry a deductible stated as a percentage of the dwelling limit, which can be large compared with a typical claim. Some also limit coverage for masonry veneer, or exclude it unless you paid for it.
Cracks versus settlement: the central dispute
Oklahoma homes crack for many reasons that have nothing to do with earthquakes, and carriers know it.
Expansive clay soils
Much of central Oklahoma sits on clay soils that swell when wet and shrink in drought. That movement cracks slab foundations, brick veneer and drywall over time. Carriers often attribute cracks to this settlement, which is excluded.
Pier-and-beam foundations
Older pier-and-beam homes can shift as piers settle or wood ages, causing sloping floors and sticking doors that look similar to quake damage.
What separates new damage from old
- Fresh, clean crack edges versus dirty, painted-over or weathered cracks.
- Photos taken before the earthquake showing the walls intact.
- Cracks that follow mortar joints in a stair-step pattern across many walls at once.
- Fallen items, broken chimney mortar and other signs of sudden shaking.
- A structural engineer’s opinion tied to the specific event.
What we value in an earthquake appraisal
Once coverage is accepted, the panel values the damage caused by the earthquake. That can include brick veneer repair or relaying, tuckpointing, chimney repair, foundation repair, drywall and plaster, and the finishes that need to match. We separate pre-existing conditions from quake damage on a line-by-line basis, because the panel will.
Brick veneer is often the most expensive part of an Oklahoma earthquake claim. Relaying cracked brick, matching older brick colors and mortar, and repairing ties and weep holes all require skilled masons. If your endorsement limits masonry veneer, we confirm how that applies before building the estimate, so the valuation reflects what your policy actually covers.
Timing matters as well. Report suspected earthquake damage promptly, photograph every crack with a date and a tape measure, and avoid patching until the carrier and your appraiser have seen it. Cracks that are filled and painted before inspection are much harder to evaluate fairly.
Check the size of the deductible before investing in appraisal. Our percentage deductible calculator works for earthquake deductibles too. For general questions, see the appraisal questions page.
Available across Oklahoma
We take this work statewide, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Lawton, Moore, Midwest City and every county in between.
Common questions
Does my homeowners policy cover earthquake damage?
Usually not. Standard policies exclude earth movement, so you typically need a separate earthquake endorsement or policy in place before the quake.
Can appraisal prove my cracks came from an earthquake?
Appraisal sets the amount of covered damage. If the carrier denies that an earthquake caused the cracks at all, that is generally a coverage question, though panels sometimes separate quake damage from older settlement within an accepted claim.
How large are earthquake deductibles?
They are usually a percentage of the dwelling limit, so the dollar amount can be substantial. Check your endorsement for the exact percentage before deciding whether a claim or appraisal makes sense.