Financial strength and market type
- Financial strength: Varies by carrier — E&S markets range from AM Best A+ reinsurance-backed programs to smaller specialty carriers; confirm rating on any placement
- Market type: Non-admitted (surplus lines / E&S) — not covered by the California guarantee fund; requires surplus lines licensed broker
What properties this carrier writes
Hard-to-place California residential earthquake: unretrofitted masonry, very old construction, hillside with unusual foundation, very high values above admitted market capacity, prior claims, or properties declined by admitted markets.
Policy structure
Deductible options: E&S markets can offer deductible structures not available in admitted markets — both more and less favorable depending on the carrier and risk. Bespoke deductible structures are possible for complex placements.
Coverage parts available: Specialty forms can address gaps in standard admitted coverage — broader ALE, higher BCU sublimits, or custom exclusion modifications. Review any E&S policy form carefully with the placing broker.
Why brokers include this carrier
Access for risks that admitted markets cannot place. Flexible underwriting and policy language. Higher limits available for high-value properties. Program administrators with specific California earthquake expertise.
What to review before binding
No California guarantee fund protection for non-admitted placements. Premiums typically higher than comparable admitted options. Policy forms require careful review. Surplus lines tax applies. E&S markets should be used only after admitted market options are exhausted or clearly unsuitable.
Broker access and submission
Bollinsure's broker relationships include both admitted market access (CEA, Palomar, GeoVera, ICW) and specialty/E&S market access (program administrators, wholesale brokers, and Lloyd's correspondents). For hard-to-place California earthquake risks, the E&S market is not a last resort — it's the right market, accessed through the right broker.
The Best Earthquake Insurance application collects all the construction, foundation, retrofit, and coverage detail that brokers need to submit to these markets. A completed application is reviewed by Bollinsure, which shops the available carrier set for your specific property profile.
Compare all carriers Bollinsure accesses
Bollinsure shops your completed application across all available markets to find the best fit for your property. Review each carrier's appetite, financial strength, and form terms:
California Earthquake Authority (CEA) · Palomar Specialty · GeoVera · ICW Group · Arrowhead · Munich Re · QBE · AXIS Capital · Lloyd's of London · Homeowners of America