In short
A standard Washington home policy covers fire, but flood, earthquake and landslide need separate coverage, says the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). A standard federal flood policy pays up to $250,000 on the home and $100,000 on contents, and usually starts 30 days after purchase. Seattle’s emergency office calls earthquakes the city’s most serious hazard.
Which hazards affect Washington homes?
The sources read for this article describe these hazards:
- Earthquakes. Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) calls earthquakes “the most serious hazard facing Seattle.” It describes three types: shallow crustal quakes (the Seattle Fault Zone runs east-west through the middle of the city), deep quakes, and subduction zone megathrust quakes. The OEM gives recurrence estimates, not predictions: about every 30 to 50 years for a deep quake of magnitude 6.0 or larger, and every 200 to 1,100 years for a megathrust quake.
- Landslides. OEM says 8.4% of Seattle’s surface lies in areas the city’s Environmentally Critical Areas Ordinance identifies as slide prone, and that slides are most frequent in winter and early spring.
- Floods. Seattle’s three flood types are riverine, coastal and urban; urban and riverine are the most common. The city’s 100-year floodplains cover South Park and the Thornton and Longfellow Creek basins.
- Fire. The OIC says wildfires are common throughout Washington. For Seattle, OEM says a wildfire is unlikely because the city is far from wildland areas, but brush fires along roadways such as I-5 can threaten nearby homes.
OEM’s overview page states that the Seattle region ranks first in the country for the number of hazards it faces, and that the city has identified 18 hazards of greatest risk. It also offers a Hazards Explorer map and a county-wide address lookup.
What does a home policy cover?
| Hazard | Standard home policy | How to get coverage | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire and wildfire | Included. Washington requires policies to be at least as good as the state model fire policy (WAC 284-20-010) | Part of the standard policy | OIC, wildfires |
| Flood | Excluded | Separate policy from an agent, broker or the NFIP | OIC, flood insurance |
| Earthquake | Not included | Added to the home policy or bought separately | OIC, earthquake insurance |
| Landslide, mudflow, earth movement | Usually excluded | A “Difference in Conditions” policy, often through a surplus line insurer; some flood policies cover water-caused earth movement | OIC, landslide insurance |
Earthquake deductibles are usually 10% to 25% of the most the policy pays on the building, says the OIC, and you usually have to wait after an earthquake before you can buy it. An earthquake policy does not cover fire damage, land or vehicles, and may not cover floods or tsunamis, even when a quake causes them. Some insurers require bolting the home to its foundation, bracing interior walls or strapping the water heater.
How does flood insurance work?
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is run by FEMA. According to the OIC, standard NFIP limits are $250,000 on the home and $100,000 on personal property, and detached buildings and their contents are not covered. Buyers who need more can buy excess flood cover.
- Waiting period: NFIP coverage takes effect 30 days after purchase. There is no wait if you buy while making, increasing, extending or renewing a mortgage (FloodSmart).
- Mortgage rule: In NFIP communities, homes in high-risk zones (zones starting with A or V) with federally backed mortgages must carry flood insurance (FloodSmart).
- Outside high-risk zones: FEMA reported $3.8 billion of 2024 flood damage in communities that are not considered high-risk (FloodSmart). The OIC adds that nearly one-third of flood claims come from outside high-risk areas.
- Cost: The premium is specific to each property. FloodSmart gives a custom quote tool; no typical price is published there.
Check a property’s flood zone on a FEMA map before you make an offer. For basics, see flood insurance explained and homeowners insurance.
Can wildfire risk change my coverage?
Yes. The OIC says insurers use wildfire risk scores based on building materials, nearby vegetation, location and defensible space, and that some higher-risk areas now see separate, higher wildfire deductibles. An insurer that does not renew a policy must give 60 days’ notice (RCW 48.18.2901) and a reason. A cancellation is less common and often follows an inspection of a new policy.
The OIC adds that wildfire risk scores are separate from community fire ratings, and that a 2026 bill to require insurers to disclose them passed the Senate but did not advance in the House. Read your declarations page for the deductible before closing.
What must a seller disclose?
The state’s seller disclosure form (RCW 64.06.020) asks whether there has been flooding, standing water or drainage problems, whether there is material damage from fire, wind, floods, earthquake or landslides, and whether the property has shorelines, wetlands, floodplains or critical areas. See seller disclosure in Washington for the full rules.
State insurance market
The pages read describe no state-run insurer of last resort for homes. The OIC says an agent or broker may be able to place landslide (Difference in Conditions) coverage with a surplus line insurer, a company that insures risks other insurers usually do not. Ask the OIC (800-562-6900) whether any residual option applies to your address. For the city picture, see Seattle.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Washington home policy cover earthquakes?
No. The OIC says earthquake insurance is added to a home policy or bought separately. Expect a deductible of 10% to 25% of the building coverage.
Do I need flood insurance in Seattle?
It depends on the property’s FEMA flood zone and your lender. In an NFIP community, a high-risk zone with a federally backed mortgage requires it. The OIC notes standard policies exclude floods, so owners outside those zones may still want it.
Is landslide damage covered?
Usually not. The OIC says a homeowner policy generally excludes landslides from rain, snowmelt, flooding or earthquakes. A Difference in Conditions policy can cover landslides, mudflows, earthquakes and floods.
How long before a new flood policy starts?
Thirty days after purchase for NFIP policies, unless you buy it with a new, increased, extended or renewed mortgage. Policies from some surplus line insurers usually start right away, says the OIC.
Can my insurer drop me over wildfire risk?
It can decline to renew with 60 days’ written notice and a stated reason (RCW 48.18.2901). The OIC says standards vary, so another insurer may still cover the property.
More Washington guides
- Closing costs in Washington: what buyers and sellers pay
- Washington real estate excise tax (REET): rates and Seattle
- How Washington property tax works, with a Seattle example
- Seller disclosure requirements in Washington
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Washington?
- Foreclosure process in Washington
- Home prices in Washington and Seattle: median value and trend
- First-time home buyer programs in Washington: WSHFC, Seattle
- How to verify a real estate license in Washington
- Community property and buying a home in Washington
- Buying a rental property in Washington: tenant rules
Sources
- Earthquake insurance (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Flood insurance (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Landslide insurance (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Wildfires and insurance (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Wildfire risk score transparency (Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Buy a flood insurance policy (FloodSmart, FEMA National Flood Insurance Program) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- What is my flood zone? (FloodSmart, FEMA National Flood Insurance Program) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Hazards, Earthquakes, Landslides, Floods and Fires (Seattle Office of Emergency Management) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- RCW 64.06.020, seller disclosure statement form (Washington State Legislature) (consulted October 13, 2026)