Masonry earthquake insurance
Masonry construction is the most challenging earthquake insurance underwriting category. Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings — common in California city cores and older neighborhoods — are the most dangerous structure type in seismic events. Insurance carriers apply significant surcharges or may decline masonry homes outright; specialty markets are often necessary.
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:
- Construction type: brick, masonry veneer, reinforced masonry, or URM
- Foundation type and any foundation reinforcement documentation
- Masonry chimney: height, age, anchoring status, or removal records
- Any masonry reinforcement work: dates, contractor, permit number
- Prior earthquake or masonry repair claims
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.