CEA vs private earthquake insurance
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is the largest earthquake insurance provider in the state, offering coverage through participating homeowners carriers. Private market alternatives — Covwell, Palomar, GeoVera, ICW, Munich Re EQ, and others — offer different forms, deductible structures, limits, and carrier appetites. An independent broker can access both and help you compare.
What the Best Earthquake wizard captures
The application documents all the details underwriters look for. Gathering the following before applying produces a stronger submission and faster broker review:
- CEA coverage: available through your homeowners carrier if they participate
- Private market: different forms, deductible options, and specialty-risk appetite
- Deductible differences: CEA and private markets can differ on available percentages
- Form terms: differences in ALE, BCU, personal property deductible structure
- Financial strength: AM Best ratings and carrier stability for long-term coverage
From indication to bindable options
The Best Earthquake Insurance application gives a preliminary annual range anchored to CDI data, then submits a completed Covwell application to Bollinsure for broker review. A licensed California broker reviews your construction, retrofit, and loss details and shops multiple carrier markets to find the best available terms.
The indication is not a bindable quote — final coverage is subject to underwriting, carrier eligibility, and policy terms. But starting with a strong, complete application gives the broker the best possible foundation for market submission.
Ready to submit?
The 5-step application wizard takes approximately 5–8 minutes to complete. It walks through property and applicant details, coverage terms and deductible selection, construction and foundation type, retrofit and loss history, and a review-and-sign step where you can preview the completed PDF before submitting.
Your completed application is reviewed by a licensed broker who follows up — often the same business day — with market options and next steps.