What earthquake insurance (CEA) means in California
Earthquake coverage in California is a separate residential contract, or a specific endorsement, for loss the shaking causes. A house, condo, renters, or mobilehome policy does not carry that peril just because the building is in Stockton. Insurance Code section 10081 says an insurer may not issue or deliver a residential property policy in this state unless the named insured is offered earthquake coverage in the policy, by endorsement, or in a separate policy. Section 10083 allows the offer before the policy, with it, or within 60 days after issue or renewal.
The California Earthquake Authority is the body section 10089.6 creates, and that section lets it sell only basic residential earthquake insurance. Section 10089.21 calls the Authority a public instrumentality of the State of California. A participating insurer offers the policy with the residential policy, not from the Authority itself. Section 10087 covers a house of not more than four units, a condominium, a mobilehome, and a tenant's contents policy.
Section 10088 says that if the contract does not specifically cover earthquake, it does not cover a loss when earthquake is a proximate cause, even if another cause contributes. The section reaches commercial property forms too. A Charter Way restaurant that wants the building covered is a different placement than a CEA policy on a Stockton house. The personal-lines discussion is on Via Rapida Services. Start on home insurance in Stockton or renters insurance in Stockton.
Questions
Does a California homeowners or renters policy include earthquake?
No. Insurance Code section 10081 requires an offer of earthquake coverage with a residential property policy, and that coverage may be inside the policy, on an endorsement, or in a separate policy. Section 10088 says a policy that does not specifically cover earthquake does not cover a loss when earthquake is a proximate cause.
What is the California Earthquake Authority allowed to sell?
Insurance Code section 10089.6 creates the Authority and authorizes it to transact basic residential earthquake insurance, and no other type of insurance business. Section 10089.21 calls it a public instrumentality of the State of California.
Who can be offered that residential earthquake policy?
Section 10087 defines residential property insurance for this chapter to include a house of not more than four units, a condominium, a mobilehome, and a tenant's contents policy.
Where does a Stockton homeowner start?
The personal-lines discussion is on Via Rapida Services. A homeowners or renters file with Insurance City starts on the Stockton home and renters pages, or by phone at (209) 670-1556.
Sources
- Insurance Code section 10081 (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, checked October 5, 2026). An insurer may not issue or deliver a residential property policy in this state unless the named insured is offered earthquake coverage, in the policy, by endorsement, or in a separate policy.
- Insurance Code section 10083. The offer may be made prior to, concurrent with, or within 60 days following issuance or renewal.
- Insurance Code section 10087. Residential property insurance for this chapter includes a house of not more than four units, a condo, a mobilehome, and a tenant's contents policy.
- Insurance Code section 10088. Absent a specific earthquake provision, a policy that does not cover earthquake does not cover a loss when earthquake is a proximate cause. The section includes business and commercial forms.
- Insurance Code section 10089.6 and section 10089.21. The California Earthquake Authority is created to sell basic residential earthquake insurance and no other insurance business, and it is a public instrumentality of the State of California.
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