A Guide to Earthquake Insurance in Canada

3 minutes can save you hundreds. Enter your postal code below and join thousands of Canadians saving on home insurance.

Secure. No Spam. No Fees.

Why You Can Trust MyChoice

MyChoice serves as an independent intermediary between you, financial institutions and licensed professionals without any additional charge to our users. In the interest of transparency, we disclose that we partner with some of the providers we write about – we also list many financial services without any financial gain. MyChoice does not operate a financial institution or brokerage and to ensure accuracy, our content is reviewed by licensed professionals. Our unique position means that we hold no recurring stake in your policy, ensuring our mission to help Canadians make better financial decisions is free of bias or discrimination. 

Article Contents
By Matthew Roberts
Last updated on March 10, 2026

4 minute read

MyChoice follows a strict content review process designed to ensure reliable and unbiased information.

Article Contentstable-of-contents

How Earthquake Insurance Works At a Glance

  • Earthquake insurance typically needs to be added as a separate endorsement to your home insurance policy.
  • Coverage typically protects your home structure, belongings, and additional living expenses if your home turns uninhabitable after an earthquake.
  • Deductibles for earthquake coverage are often higher than standard home insurance deductibles, usually calculated as a percentage of the home’s insured value.
  • British Columbia is Canada’s highest-risk region for earthquakes, with more than 200 moderate-to-major quakes recorded since 1986.
  • Earthquake insurance premiums in Canada can range from roughly $40 per year in low-risk areas to $400+ in high-risk regions.
Close
YouTube

How Does Earthquake Insurance Work in Canada?

Earthquake insurance is not part of a standard home insurance policy. It’s typically offered as an optional top-up endorsement that you need to request for an extra charge, much like sewer backup or flood coverage.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help clarify what earthquake insurance actually does:

Typically CoveredTypically Not Covered
Damage to your home’s
structure from shaking		Flood damage caused by tsunami
(unless flood insurance is added)
Detached buildings on your
property (garage, shed)		Pre-existing damage or poor
maintenance issues
Your personal belongings
(furniture, appliances, clothing)		Fencing, landscaping, patios,
or pools
Additional living expenses
(hotel stays, food, rentals)		Damage due to unrelated causes
(fire, theft) unless separately covered
Condo loss assessments due
to earthquake-related damage		Damage outside your policy
area or timeframe

Which Parts of Canada Face the Highest Earthquake Risk?

Earthquakes are not equally distributed across Canada. While some areas are relatively stable, others face consistent and major seismic activity. Based on data from Earthquakes Canada between 1986 and 2025, here’s what we know about which parts of Canada face high earthquake risk:

Earthquake Hotspots in Canada

British Columbia is Canada’s most earthquake-prone province, with over 200 moderate-to-major earthquakes since 1986. Between 2016 and 2025 alone, the Vancouver Island and Offshore region saw over 160 moderate and 8 strong earthquakes. In 2012, Haida Gwaii was hit by a magnitude 7.7 quake, the strongest in modern Canadian history.

The Western Quebec Seismic Zone (Ottawa to Montreal) is Canada’s second most active area. While activity has declined recently, past quakes have exceeded magnitude 6, and the region’s population density increases the possible impact.

Offshore Newfoundland and Nova Scotia have seen over 25 moderate earthquakes since 1986, including 11 between 2016 and 2025, denoting a noticeable increase. This trend reveals growing seismic vulnerability in the region.

How Much Does Earthquake Insurance Cost?

Earthquake insurance in Canada usually ranges from around $40 per year in low-risk regions to $400 or more annually in high-risk areas such as British Columbia, based on a home valued at $1 million.

Your insurance premium will ultimately depend on multiple crucial factors:

Your location and local seismic risk:

Insurers use regional earthquake models as well as historical data to assess risk. The higher the chance of a quake occurring near you, the higher your premium will be.

The age, size, and structure of your home:

Older homes or homes not built to current seismic codes are typically more expensive to insure for earthquake damage. A well-reinforced modern home may be cheaper to insure than a large, older house in the same region.

Your insurer’s pricing model:

Each insurance provider sets their own earthquake premium rates based on their underwriting standards. Some bundle earthquake coverage at a discount, while others price it more highly as a separate add-on.

Your deductible choice:

Earthquake deductibles are typically a percentage of your home’s insured value. Some insurers may allow you to choose a lower deductible, but this often results in a higher premium.

Optional coverage included:

Some earthquake endorsements include Additional Living Expenses (ALE), which cover temporary housing, meals, and transportation if your home is uninhabitable after a quake. Others may cover land stabilization or loss assessment (for condo owners). These extras can impact the cost, but also add worth and calm of mind.

Who Should Seriously Consider It?

Earthquake insurance isn’t necessary for every homeowner,  but for many Canadians, especially those in higher-risk areas, it’s a key form of protection. Here’s a breakdown of who should strongly consider adding it to their policy.

If you live in British Columbia, the Ottawa–Montreal–Quebec corridor, the Yukon, or around the Atlantic coastal areas, you are in a zone with either historical earthquake activity or increasing seismic risk. Without earthquake insurance in BC or other high-risk areas, you may be personally liable for repairs, rebuilding, or other related costs.

Many condo owners assume their building’s insurance policy will cover earthquake damage, but this is often only partially true. Most strata corporations carry a very high earthquake deductible, which can be passed down to unit owners through loss assessments.

For example, if your building has a $5 million earthquake deductible and there are 100 units, each unit owner could be charged $50,000, even if their unit is undamaged. That’s a significant and unexpected financial burden.

Check whether your condo insurance includes loss assessment coverage specific to earthquakes. If not, talk to your insurer about adding it.

Even if you don’t own the building, earthquakes can still cause serious disruptions such as:

  • Damage to personal belongings (furniture, electronics, etc.)
  • Costs of temporary accommodation if your building is unsafe
  • Expenses for food, transportation, and relocation

Renters can usually add earthquake protection to their tenant insurance policy for a small additional premium.

Why Having Earthquake Coverage is Important

Asking yourself, “Is earthquake insurance worth it?” Here’s why you shouldn’t leave yourself exposed to this potential natural disaster:

Government aid is limited

In the event of a major earthquake, the federal or provincial government may provide disaster relief funding, but only for basic needs. They won’t rebuild your home, replace your belongings, or cover structural repairs, leaving you responsible for the cost.

The projected financial risk is enormous

A hypothetical magnitude 9.0 earthquake near Vancouver could lead to $95.6 billion in economic losses, with only a fraction of that currently covered by insurance. Without coverage, affected homeowners would potentially lose their home, their savings, and their ability to recover quickly.

Infrastructure damage still affects everyone

Even if your home isn’t badly damaged, the surrounding infrastructure may be. Roads may be closed or destroyed, power or water may be unavailable, or schools and workplaces could be shut down. Having Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage can help pay for essentials in the meantime, like rental housing, transportation, and groceries.

Why Earthquake Coverage Matters

Key Advice from MyChoice

  • Seismic retrofits like bolting your home to its foundation or strengthening walls can reduce quake damage and may lower your insurance costs. Ask your insurer if they offer discounts for earthquake-resistant upgrades.
  • If a major earthquake disrupts your area, you may not have access to physical files. Save a digital copy of your policy and key contacts on your phone and on digital cloud storage.
  • In the event of a claim, insurers will ask for proof of lost or damaged items. Keep a detailed inventory with photos or videos of your belongings, especially high-value items.
By Matthew Roberts

With over 7 years in the insurance industry, Matt focuses on home and life insurance, offering sharp analysis and insights on underwriting trends, coverage structures, and how market changes impact consumers.

Congratulations! You made it to the end!

Now, here is the easy part: complete your quote in under 2 minutes
  • Secure. No Spam. No Fees.

Discover More About

How Many Tenants Are Too Many for Home Insurance?
March 19, 2026
Learn how occupancy limits affect home insurance in Canada, including rules for tenants, roommates, and when you may need landlord coverage.
Read full article
EV Garage Fires: Rare, But a Growing Insurance Concern
March 13, 2026
EVs catch fire far less often than gas cars, but garage fires can be more damaging. Learn what that means for home insurance and Level 2 chargers.
Read full article
Why You Shouldn’t Delay a Roof Replacement in Canada
March 3, 2026
Replacement Cost coverage isn’t automatic in practice. Learn how roof age, condition, and rising rebuild costs influence claim outcomes in Canada.
Read full article

Even More Ways To Save on Insurance