Northridge Agency Since 1973
Standard homeowners policies leave out earthquake damage. California earthquake insurance is a separate policy that pays to repair or rebuild your home, replace belongings, and cover living costs after a quake. Panorama Insurance is an independent agency serving Los Angeles area families since 1973 from our Northridge office.
Earthquake Insurance
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Why It Matters
A California earthquake policy pays for shaking damage that a standard homeowners policy excludes. It has three main parts. Limits and extras differ by insurer, so ask for the policy summary before you buy. A standard fire policy generally still covers fire that follows a quake.
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage, so you add it as a separate policy. California law requires insurers who sell homeowners policies to offer you earthquake coverage when you buy and at least every other year after that.
Premiums depend on where your home is, how old it is, how it was built, the amount of coverage, and your deductible. One comparison site, Compare.com, listed typical premiums of $800 to $1,500 a year in September 2025. Your price can be lower or higher.
What moves the price most:
Homes near known faults or on soft soil cost more to cover.
Older homes, and houses with raised foundations that are not bolted down, cost more.
A bolted and braced foundation can lower the premium. Ask which upgrades count.
A higher deductible lowers the premium.
Tell us the address and year built. We return a price for each deductible.
Earthquake deductibles are a percentage of your home's insured value, not a flat dollar amount. California Earthquake Authority policies offer deductibles from 5% to 25%. Other carriers set their own options, so confirm the choices when you quote.
Example: a home insured for $400,000 with a 10% deductible has a $40,000 deductible. The policy starts paying after $40,000 of covered damage. You do not pay the deductible up front. It is subtracted from the claim.
Lower deductible, higher premium. Higher deductible, lower premium. Pick the amount you could pay from savings after a quake.
Panorama places earthquake coverage with the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), GeoVera, and Palomar. GeoVera and Palomar are private carriers. We compare the options available for your home and explain limits, deductibles, and exclusions before you choose.
CEA was created in 1996 after the Northridge quake. It is publicly managed and privately funded, and it sells policies only through participating home insurers. We place CEA policies for homeowners, condo owners, and renters.
Private carriers set their own limits, deductibles, and exclusions. We put them side by side with CEA for your home.
It is worth it if a repair bill of tens of thousands of dollars would hurt you. It is less useful if your deductible is so high that most damage would fall below it.
Mortgage lenders usually do not require earthquake insurance, so check your loan documents.
An HOA master policy usually does not cover earthquake damage to your unit's interior or belongings. Read our guide to condo earthquake insurance.
Renters policies leave out earthquakes. A separate renters earthquake policy covers belongings and loss of use.
Rental properties need their own earthquake policy. See our landlord insurance page.
Commercial buildings and equipment need separate earthquake coverage. See earthquake insurance for small businesses and commercial property insurance.
The Northridge earthquake struck on January 17, 1994, with a magnitude of 6.7. It happened on a fault nobody knew about, so you cannot judge risk by whether your street is near a famous fault line. The quake also led insurers to pull back from homeowners coverage in California, which led to the creation of CEA. Our office is at 19302 Citronia Street in Northridge.
Panorama Insurance, License #0603099. Page updated October 12, 2026. Coverage, limits, and deductibles vary by insurer and change over time. This page is general information, not a quote or a policy.
Our Solutions
Strengthen your protection with coverage built for real-life risks. From property to liability and disaster protection, these options safeguard what matters most at home and beyond.
Protects your vehicle and finances from accidents, damage, theft, and liability.
Protects your home and belongings from damage, theft, or unexpected loss.
Adds higher liability protection beyond your standard insurance limits.
Client Testimonials
Our clients highlight the value of our insurance solutions, showing how we deliver dependable protection and service across many personal and business needs.
Share your experience with Panorama. Your story helps others see the value of our service and encourages them to trust us with their needs.
Consistent and Dependable
Tim and his staff are my auto insurance broker and have been for over 30 years. We have two sons and both were covered in our policy up until recently when my oldest moved to Italy. We have had quite a few claims having hit a deer and totaled the Sedona, my youngest drove off hillside with the Jeep taking out neighbors deck support posts and hitting house, also a fender bender with his 4 Runner. Tim has always been honest, straight forward, and timely with all our needs. We have had Mercury this entire time, he has kept us updated with any discounts(teacher) and changes that we should be aware off. He is and has been a great communicator, efficient, and friendly, a good man. I highly recommend him.
JV
Joe Vitti
Long-Term Client
Resolving Complex Issues
This insurance agency is unique in that they go beyond the normal expectations. They have that small company endeavor but with large company results. I was very pleased with the way they handled my problem.
I am a landlord and as such needed help with a tenant and their dog which is classified as a companion dog used for emotional distress, however our signed contract forbids animals. With the help of Panorama Insurance Agency I was able to resolve the issue to the satisfaction of both the tenants and myself. They did the research for me! I highly recommend this agency.
RH
Robert Hernandez
Property Owner
Responsive and Courteous
I had an excellent experience with Tim Wong and Panorama Insurance. They helped me find homeowner's insurance coverage for a new home in the hills of L.A. that's a wildfire zone. None of the carriers wanted to write the business, so Tim secured the coverage through the CA plan and also a Difference in Conditions policy to ensure I had adequate liability coverage. He and his team adjusted coverages to find savings for me as well. They were responsive and courteous at all times, and made the home purchase process easier and more enjoyable. Highly recommended!
AL
Andrew Lloyd
Grateful Homeowner
Dependable Insurance Agent
Brent @ Panorama is the most available and dependable insurance agent I've ever had. I use Brent for my family account, and also take care of all the communication for my parents account as well - even though we're the same kin, our two different households have totally different requirements in terms of insurance. Brent is always willing to dive into specifics about policies and present alternatives when our situation changes or when a better plan is available. It's great to know that both the insurances for my home and car are just taken care of meddling on my part.
RJ
Roshan J
Loyal Returning Client
Went Above Expectations
I recently had the pleasure of working with Panorama Insurance Agency, specifically Brent Garriepy, to insure my new home and switch our auto insurance policy. Brent went above expectations with explaining the policies, what they cover and what they do not cover. We quickly found a policy that worked well for our new investment and it was very competitively priced. The choice was clear for my family. I highly recommend Panorama Insurance Agency. Give them a call and see what they can do for your family!
PS
Paul Schwappach
Home and Auto Client
Saved Us over a Hundred Dollars a Month!
Brent saved us over a hundred dollars a MONTH! across all our policies (auto/home/earthquake/umbrella) and even got us better coverages across the board. Wished I’d contacted Brent earlier in my insurance quote process. I did the internet search and got spammed with useless quotes as well as talked to half a dozen other highly rated agents. None could even come close to the level of service that Brent provided. Stop your internet search now and call Brent.
LT
Leland Treebs
Value-Seeking Client
Quick Help
Find quick, clear answers about earthquake insurance. Understand coverage, deductibles, and protection options to keep your Northridge home prepared for the unexpected.
No. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage. Fire that follows an earthquake is generally covered by your regular fire coverage. Shaking damage needs a separate earthquake policy.
No. The state does not require it, and lenders usually do not either. Insurers must offer it to homeowners at purchase and at least every other year, so you can add it at any time.
It depends on your location, home age, foundation, coverage, and deductible. Compare.com listed typical premiums of $800 to $1,500 a year in September 2025. We can give you exact prices for your address.
Choose the highest amount you could pay from savings after a quake. CEA offers 5% to 25% of your home’s insured value. A lower deductible raises the premium.
CEA is a publicly managed, privately funded insurer created in 1996 after the Northridge quake. It sells earthquake policies for homeowners, condo owners, mobilehome owners, and renters only through participating insurers.
We place earthquake coverage with the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), GeoVera, and Palomar. We compare the options available for your home so you can choose.
Yes. Renters earthquake policies cover your belongings and living costs if your home cannot be used. They do not cover the building, which belongs to your landlord.
You can often get a quote the same day. Ask your agent for the policy start date, since some new policies have a waiting period.
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Protect your property and finances with coverage designed for California homeowners. Our team helps you find the right policy to keep your home secure anywhere you live.
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