Oklahoma’s earthquake activity rose sharply in the 2010s, and the September 3, 2016 Pawnee earthquake, measured at magnitude 5.8, was felt across much of the state. Many homeowners then discovered that a standard homeowners policy does not cover earthquake damage. Coverage usually requires a separate earthquake endorsement.
What the endorsement covers
An earthquake endorsement adds coverage for damage caused by earth movement from an earthquake. It typically applies to the dwelling, other structures and contents, subject to the same limits or to separate limits shown on the declarations page. Masonry veneer is sometimes excluded unless you buy extra coverage, so read the form closely.
The deductible
Earthquake deductibles are usually a percentage of the coverage limit, and they tend to be higher than wind/hail deductibles. On an illustrative $250,000 dwelling with a 10% earthquake deductible, the first $25,000 of damage would be yours. That math is why many earthquake claims are small relative to the deductible, and why accurate pricing matters when damage is extensive.
Proving the cracks are new
The hardest part of most earthquake claims is showing which cracks were caused by the quake. Oklahoma’s clay soils expand and shrink with moisture, and older homes settle. Carriers often attribute cracks to settlement, which earthquake endorsements generally do not cover.
Evidence that helps
- Dated photos of walls, brick, slab and drywall from before the event
- Photos taken right after the quake, with the date and time recorded
- Fresh, clean crack edges without paint, dirt or caulk inside them
- Doors and windows that suddenly stuck after the quake
- Reports from structural engineers who inspected soon after
Record the earthquake’s date, time and reported magnitude from public sources. Note your distance from the epicenter.
If you don’t have “before” photos, look for them elsewhere. Real estate listings, appraisal reports from a refinance, holiday pictures taken indoors and street-view imagery can all show the condition of walls and brick before the quake. Even one clear image of an uncracked wall can carry a lot of weight. Going forward, a quick yearly walk-through with your phone, covering the foundation, brick, ceilings and the corners of door and window openings, gives you a baseline for any future event.
How appraisal fits in
If the carrier accepts that some damage came from the earthquake but disputes how much, appraisal may resolve the price of repairs. If the carrier denies that the quake caused any damage, that is closer to a coverage or causation fight, and an attorney or engineer may be the better first call.
Many earthquake disputes land in between, with the carrier accepting some cracks and rejecting others. Our earthquake crack claim appraisal page explains how we approach these files.
Buying or reviewing coverage
If you live in central or north-central Oklahoma, ask your agent whether an earthquake endorsement is available, what deductible options exist and whether masonry veneer is included. Compare the premium against the deductible you could realistically absorb.
Questions to settle before a quake
- Is earthquake coverage on my declarations page?
- What percentage deductible applies, and to which coverages?
- Is brick or stone veneer excluded?
- Do I have baseline photos of my foundation and walls?
Pricing earthquake repairs
When the carrier accepts that some cracking came from the quake, the next argument is usually over the repair method. A carrier may estimate caulk and paint for drywall cracks, while a contractor may call for cutting out and refinishing whole walls so the repair doesn’t show. Brick veneer may need tuckpointing, or it may need sections rebuilt where units have shifted.
Common line-item gaps
- Drywall repair limited to the crack instead of the full wall plane
- No allowance for matching texture or paint across a room
- Masonry repair priced as patching when bricks have displaced
- Missing door and window adjustment after frames racked
- No engineering fee where a structural review was reasonable
Each of these is a pricing question, which makes it a fit for appraisal once coverage for the damage is accepted. Bring photos that show the full extent of each crack, including where it runs behind trim or under flooring.
Contents and chimneys
Fallen shelves, broken dishes and cracked chimneys are easy to overlook in the first walk-through. List contents losses with photos and approximate ages, and have a chimney professional inspect flues and crowns, since hidden chimney damage can create a fire risk as well as a claim item.
Timing your claim
Report damage promptly. Waiting months makes it easier for a carrier to blame settlement. Track every deadline in our claim timeline planner, and if you need help understanding terms like depreciation or proof of loss, see our insurance claim terms.