Does Commercial Property Cover Earthquake?

Earth movement, including earthquake, is a common exclusion in commercial property coverage forms. A policy with broad “special form” wording can still exclude it. Separate earthquake coverage may insure physical damage to buildings and contents; some earthquake policies also offer business-interruption protection, but its trigger and limits need to be checked independently.

Review the property policy’s earth-movement language and any earthquake buyback, then compare any separate earthquake quote for covered locations, building and contents limits, deductible structure, and exclusions. Ask specifically whether business income is included and whether it responds to earthquake damage at the insured premises. California Department of Insurance guidance is California-specific; actual availability and wording vary by insurer and state.