Combined Single Limit (CSL) Earthquake Insurance

A CSL earthquake policy gives you one big flexible limit. All covered categories—home, contents, and living expense—pull from the same pool of money.

CSL Advantages

One large coverage limit

Money moves to where it’s needed most

Simplifies claims after major damage

If the house needs everything and your couch survives? Fine—use the money for the structure. If your home holds up but the inside looks like structural confetti? Direct the funds there instead.

It’s flexible. The alpha wolf of earthquake insurance.

CSL Disadvantages

Higher premiums

Fewer carriers offer it

Higher deductible floor

CSL Deductibles

One key detail:

CSL earthquake deductibles can go as low as 10%.

That percentage applies to the total policy limit—not a flat dollar amount.

Split Limit Earthquake Insurance

A split limit earthquake policy separates coverage into three buckets: dwelling, personal property, and loss of use.

Each bucket has its own limit. Each bucket has its own deductible calculation.

Split Limit Advantages

More carrier options

Lower premiums

Lower deductible choices

Split Limit Disadvantages

Less flexibility

Higher chance of running short in one area

More pieces to understand at claim time

Split Limit Deductibles

This is a big selling point:

Split limit earthquake deductibles can go as low as 2.5%.

That’s significantly lower than CSL options—and attractive for homeowners wanting smaller out-of-pocket exposure.

The tradeoff? You lose the ability to shift unused money between coverage categories.

How Earthquake Deductibles Work

Earthquake deductibles are different from standard home insurance deductibles. They are percentage-based, tied to the insured value.

Examples:

CSL Policy Example

$600,000 total limit

10% deductible

$60,000 out of pocket

Split Limit Dwelling Example

$400,000 dwelling limit

2.5% deductible

$10,000 out of pocket

Earthquake damage isn’t minor. These deductibles exist because homes rarely experience “a little damage.” When the ground moves, the destruction is expensive and serious.

Which Type of Earthquake Insurance Is Better?

Depends what you want:

Choose CSL if you want:

One flexible pool of money

A cleaner claims experience

Stronger rebuild capability

Choose Split Limit if you want:

Lower deductible choices

Lower premiums

In wolf terms:

CSL is the alpha. Split limit is the loyal pack member.

Both bite hard when needed.

Why Pricing Can’t Be Estimated Online

Earthquake insurance pricing changes drastically based on:

Deductible percentage

CSL vs split limit

Home value

Construction style

Age of home

Exact location

Online calculators oversimplify it.

Two homes next to each other can produce completely different prices.

Trying to price earthquake insurance without details?

That’s like estimating wolf weight over the phone:

“You sound like you weigh 80 pounds.”

Meanwhile the wolf weighs 180 and eats drywall for fun.

Just call. It’s faster and accurate.

Washington sits on multiple volatile fault systems. We’ve had major historic shakes, and more will come.

If rebuilding your home out-of-pocket is unrealistic—and for most people, it is—earthquake coverage isn’t optional. It’s financial survival planning.

Homeowners insurance will not help you here.

Local Focus: Washington State Homeowners

We serve homeowners throughout Washington, including:

Lynnwood

Seattle

Tacoma

Everett

Bellevue

Spokane

And everywhere buildings sit on dirt instead of bedrock

Earthquake risk is statewide, and coverage availability varies by region.

If you’re reading this anywhere in WA, the conversation applies to you.

FAQ: Earthquake Insurance

Do I need separate earthquake insurance?

Yes. Home insurance does not cover earthquake damage.

What deductible should I choose?

Depends on your budget, policy type, and home value. Lower percentages cost more.

Is earthquake insurance expensive in Washington?

It depends on deductible, carrier, soil type, and policy structure. Prices vary widely.

Is CSL better than split limit?

CSL offers flexibility; split limit offers lower deductibles and lower premiums.

How do I get a quote?

Call the agency. Earthquake rates cannot be reliably auto-quoted online.

Call for a Personalized Earthquake Insurance Quote

Because pricing varies so much between policy types and deductibles, the only accurate way to quote earthquake insurance is one-on-one.

We’ll help you:

compare CSL vs split limit,

review deductible options,

and find the right protection for your home and budget.

If the earth shakes tomorrow, you’ll want a policy that actually works—not wishful thinking and leftover drywall dust.