The Great Washington ShakeOut 2026: Do You Need Earthquake Insurance or a Seismic Retrofit in Seattle?

Do I need earthquake insurance in Washington state?

It is optional, and the right choice depends on your home's construction and age, your equity, your savings, and your comfort with risk. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically exclude earthquake damage. Separate earthquake coverage generally comes with a percentage based deductible, often ranging from 10% to 25% of the insured value of the home. A structural retrofit protects the home itself, and insurance protects your finances. Together they answer the two questions every Seattle area homeowner should be able to answer: is my home structurally prepared, and am I financially protected?

I am Cheryl Dillon, a real estate broker serving Edmonds, Bothell, and surrounding South Snohomish County, North King County, and Eastside communities. Every so often a client quietly asks during a showing, "What about earthquakes?" I love that question, because it means they are thinking like a wise homeowner.

I have lived in the Seattle area for over 40 years, including through the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. This article is about preparation, not fear.

What Is the Great Washington ShakeOut?

The Great Washington ShakeOut is an annual earthquake preparedness drill held on the third Thursday of October. In 2026, the Great Washington ShakeOut takes place on Thursday, October 15. People across Washington, including families, schools, businesses, and community organizations, are encouraged to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On and use the day as a reminder to review their earthquake preparedness.

For Seattle area homeowners, ShakeOut is also a good reminder to look beyond the drill itself. Is your water heater secured? Do you know how to shut off your utilities? If you own an older home, has it been evaluated for a seismic retrofit? And have you checked whether your homeowners insurance covers earthquake damage? Those are the kinds of questions that can make October 15 more than a one minute drill.

Why does earthquake readiness matter in the Pacific Northwest?

The Washington Geological Survey says Washington has the second highest risk in the United States of large and damaging earthquakes. Our region faces deep earthquakes like Nisqually, shallow earthquakes on local faults such as the Seattle Fault, and megathrust earthquakes on the Cascadia Subduction Zone. The 2001 Nisqually earthquake was magnitude 6.8. The U.S. Geological Survey reported preliminary losses of about $2 billion, and the Northwest Insurance Council reports that more than 9,500 insurance claims were filed. Many practical preparedness steps are relatively simple.

Does homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?

Usually not. According to the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, earthquake damage is typically excluded from standard home and renter policies. Earthquake coverage can be added to a homeowners or renters policy when available or purchased separately.

How much is the deductible on earthquake insurance in Washington?

• Percentage, not a fixed dollar amount. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner says earthquake deductibles are usually 10% to 25% of the maximum amount the policy will pay for the building.
• Coverage applies above the deductible. The policy pays only for damage costing more than the deductible.
• Separate deductibles may apply for the building, belongings, and unattached structures such as garages, sheds, driveways, or retaining walls.
• Some items are treated differently. Fire following an earthquake is typically covered by your regular homeowners policy, and land movement such as landslides may be handled differently. Read your policy carefully.

Example: with $600,000 of earthquake dwelling coverage, a 10 percent deductible means you pay the first $60,000 of structural damage, and a 20 percent deductible means $120,000. Earthquake insurance is designed for catastrophic loss, the kind that could otherwise wipe out your equity. Some insurers require an inspection or foundation bolting before offering coverage. Talk with an insurance professional who knows our region.

Which Seattle area homes benefit most from a seismic retrofit?

• Older homes deserve particular attention. Seattle Emergency Management notes that before 1980, building codes did not require houses to be secured to their foundations. A home built before 1980 is not automatically unsecured, so its actual foundation connection should be evaluated.
• Homes with cripple walls, the short wood walls in a crawl space between the foundation and first floor.
• Homes with living space over a garage (soft story), where a large garage opening weakens the lower level.
• Homes with unreinforced brick chimneys.

Many craftsman bungalows and early midcentury homes in Seattle, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, and older parts of Edmonds fit one or more of these.

What does a seismic retrofit include?

The most common residential retrofit is a bolt and brace retrofit:

• Foundation bolting anchors the wood sill plate to the concrete foundation so the house is less likely to slide off during shaking.
• Cripple wall bracing adds plywood sheathing to the short crawl space walls.
• Additional connections may tie framing members together more securely.

How much does a seismic retrofit cost in Seattle?

Retrofit costs vary widely depending on the home's construction, foundation, access, engineering needs, and scope of work. Seattle Emergency Management notes that materials for some projects can cost as little as a few hundred dollars when homeowners can perform some work themselves, while professionally completed or more complex projects can cost substantially more. Seattle offers a streamlined Earthquake Home Retrofit Permit for qualifying homes. Get current estimates from qualified professionals for the specific property rather than relying on a general cost range.

What simple steps can every homeowner take?

• Strap your water heater to the wall studs.
• Know how to shut off your gas, keep the tool near the meter, and ask a licensed professional about an automatic seismic gas shutoff valve.
• Secure tall furniture, bookcases, televisions, and dressers to the wall.
• Use latches on kitchen cabinets.
• Keep an emergency kit with water, food, medications, flashlights, and a battery radio for each person.
• Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family, especially during the Great ShakeOut on October 15.

What should buyers ask about earthquake readiness before buying?

1. Ask whether the home has been retrofitted, and request permits, contractor invoices, and engineering documentation.
2. Have your inspector look at the foundation: anchor bolts and braced cripple walls in a crawl space or unfinished basement.
3. Check the chimney. An unreinforced brick chimney may need a closer look.
4. Review geologic hazard maps. The Washington Department of Natural Resources publishes maps including liquefaction susceptibility and landslide areas. Hillside and bluff properties in Seattle, Edmonds, and Mukilteo can carry slope considerations.
5. Get an insurance quote during your inspection period so you know the cost before you are committed.
6. For condos, ask about the association's master policy: whether it includes earthquake coverage and how a large deductible would be shared among owners. Your own policy may offer loss assessment coverage.

Does a seismic retrofit add value when selling a home?

A documented, permitted retrofit can be a real selling point for older homes, giving buyers confidence and removing a potential inspection negotiation item. Gather permits, invoices, engineering letters, and before and after photos, and say so in your listing, for example "seismically retrofitted with permitted foundation bolting and cripple wall bracing." For some older homes, retrofitting before listing strengthens your position. For others, providing a contractor bid and letting the buyer decide is the better path. I help sellers weigh that home by home.

What are the most common mistakes?

• Assuming a standard homeowners policy covers earthquakes.
• Not knowing your earthquake deductible is a percentage, which can be tens of thousands of dollars.
• Buying an older home without asking whether it has been bolted and braced.
• Waiting until after finishing a basement to consider a retrofit.
• Skipping a quote during the inspection period, then learning coverage terms after closing.

A Personal Memory of the Nisqually Earthquake

I was living in Edmonds when the 2001 Nisqually earthquake happened. I remember how unsettling the shaking felt, even though our house, which had been built in the 1960s, came through it without damage.

What stayed with me was the contrast between our experience and what I saw happening elsewhere in the region. News reports showed damaged buildings in Seattle, including falling bricks and masonry, and a close friend in California called almost immediately because what she was seeing on television looked much more alarming than what I had experienced at home.

That day made earthquake risk feel very real without making it feel inevitable that every home will suffer major damage. Different buildings respond differently, which is exactly why understanding a home's construction, foundation, retrofit history, and insurance coverage matters.

I am Cheryl Dillon, a real estate broker serving Edmonds, Bothell, and surrounding South Snohomish County, North King County, and Eastside communities. I help buyers and sellers ask the right earthquake questions before they commit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is earthquake insurance required in Washington? No. It is optional, though a lender or condo association may have its own requirements, so ask.

Does a retrofit lower insurance costs? Requirements and pricing vary by insurer. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner says some earthquake insurers may require measures such as foundation bolting, interior wall bracing, or water heater strapping before providing coverage. Ask your insurer how a completed retrofit affects eligibility, coverage, deductibles, or premiums for your specific policy.

Do I need a permit for a seismic retrofit? Most structural retrofits require one. Check with your city's permit department.

When is the Great ShakeOut? The third Thursday of October, October 15 in 2026.

Is fire after an earthquake covered? Fire following an earthquake is typically covered under a regular homeowners policy. Confirm with your policy.

Ready to talk about your home?

I am Cheryl Dillon, a real estate broker serving Edmonds, Bothell, and surrounding South Snohomish County, North King County, and Eastside communities. Whether you are buying an older home with character, preparing to sell one you have cared for, or wondering how prepared your current home is, I would love to help you think it through.

425.954.5622 | Cheryl@CherylDillonRealEstate.com | CherylDillonRealEstate.com

I am Cheryl Dillon a licensed REALTOR® in the state of Washington with eXp Realty.