When you invest in a home, you’re not just buying walls and a roof—you’re purchasing peace of mind. Homeowners insurance should protect that peace, covering you when unexpected events cause damage. But when faced with natural disasters like landslides, many homeowners discover unforeseen gaps in their coverage.
Landslides, though less common than hurricanes or wildfires, pose a significant threat to properties, particularly in areas prone to heavy rainfall, deforestation, or seismic activity. This guide includes everything you need to know about landslides, their impact on homeowners, and how insurance company policies address this hazard.
Understanding Landslides: Causes & Warning Signs
A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, or debris. It’s often triggered by natural forces such as heavy rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or human activity like deforestation and poor construction practices. Landslides can cause catastrophic damage to homes and infrastructure, leading to financial devastation for homeowners.
Warning signs of landslides include:
- Cracks appearing in foundations, roads, or walls
- Leaning trees and fences
- Saturated soil that feels unusually soft or moves easily underfoot
- Unnatural bulges or tilting ground surfaces
Understanding the causes and warning signs can help homeowners take preventive measures.
Landslides vs. Mudslides
When discussing natural disasters, it’s easy to confuse terms like landslides, mudslides, and mudflow. Here’s the distinction:
- Landslides refer to the general movement of rock and soil downhill.
- Mudslides occur when saturated soil transforms into flowing mud—often following heavy rain or flooding.
- Mudflow is similar to mudslides but involves a higher water content, moving faster like a river of debris.
Though similar in impact, home insurance policies treat these events differently, which makes clarity important when filing insurance claims.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Landslide Coverage?
Unfortunately, most standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover landslides. This is primarily due to their classification as “earth movement” events, a term often excluded alongside earthquakes, sinkholes, and mudslides.
Standard home insurance coverage exclusions include:
- Earth movement (landslides, mudslides, sinkholes)
- Flooding caused by natural disasters
This lack of inclusion leaves many property owners vulnerable to significant financial risks. To understand your exact coverage, carefully review your homeowners insurance policy’s “exclusions” section and consult your insurance agent.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Typically Cover?
While homeowners insurance excludes landslides, it generally covers other risks to your property and personal belongings. These risks often include fire, theft, and specific weather events like windstorms or hail.
For example:
- Wildfire damage is covered under most homeowners insurance policies.
- Comprehensive policies often include windstorms and wind-related damage.
>> Explore our detailed guide on typical homeowners insurance coverage.
Specialized Landslide Insurance
The good news is that landslide coverage may be available as a separate policy or an endorsement you can add to existing insurance. These specialized policies, sometimes called Difference in Conditions (DIC) policies, typically cover earth movement events, including landslides, mudslides, and sinkholes.
DIC policies offer coverage for property damage, including the costs of repairs, restoration, and even temporary relocation in the event of a landslide. These policies can also include coverage for personal property and additional living expenses incurred due to displacement.
Before purchasing landslide coverage, evaluate your geographic risk and the potential destruction costs. If you live in a state like California that is prone to land movement, this coverage might prove invaluable.
How Much Does Landslide Insurance Cost?
Landslide insurance costs vary widely depending on your property’s location, size, and risk factors.
- Premiums: The cost of landslide insurance typically starts at $500 annually but can climb into the thousands for high-risk zones. It’s important to note that these premiums are subject to change and can be influenced by factors such as the size and location of your property. Higher-risk zones may have higher premiums due to the increased susceptibility to landslides.
- Deductibles: These policies often carry higher deductibles than standard homeowners insurance to offset the increased risks involved. Consulting with surplus lines insurers or your insurance provider can help you obtain a more tailored estimate for your specific circumstances.
Other Specialized Insurance Options
Beyond landslide-specific coverage, consider complementary insurance options to provide a safety net against other risks, such as earthquake or flood damage.
- Flood Insurance Coverage: Offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), this covers damages caused by flooding (though not landslides).
- Earthquake Insurance: Available as an added policy, this covers damages caused by seismic activities like tremors.
These types of coverage work together to provide comprehensive financial protection for natural disasters.
Protecting Your Home from Landslides
While insurance is crucial, prevention remains your first line of defense against landslide damage. Proactive measures include:
- Assessing Risk: Use online tools and maps to identify whether your property is in a high-risk landslide zone.
- Improving Drainage: Install effective systems to reduce soil saturation and manage runoff.
- Stabilizing Slopes: If your property is on or near a hillside, consider planting ground cover vegetation and building retaining walls.
- Regular Maintenance: Immediately address early warning signs such as soil erosion or structural cracks.
A strategic combination of proactive prevention and comprehensive insurance coverage ensures your property stays protected during adverse weather or seismic conditions.
How to Get Landslide Insurance
If landslide insurance feels necessary for your property, here are steps to secure coverage:
- Consult an Agent: Speak to your insurance agent about available coverage options. Having an expert guide throughout this process can significantly reduce stress.
- Explore Surplus Lines Insurers: For unique risks like landslides, surplus lines insurers offer specialized policies.
- Consider FEMA Resources: FEMA’s NFIP can cover some damage caused by mudflow and debris flow (distinct from mudslides).
- Review Existing Policies: Ensure no overlapping exclusions exist before adding a new type of coverage.
Let Merlin Help You With Your Insurance Needs
Understanding what your homeowners insurance policy covers is essential to safeguarding your home. Exclusions on coverage for earthquakes or landslides can leave even the most prepared homeowners vulnerable to financial strain.
At Merlin Law Group, we specialize in helping policyholders interpret policies, secure appropriate coverage, and resolve disputes effectively. If you’re unsure whether you need additional coverage like landslide insurance, contact Merlin for expert advice on your insurance needs and options.
FAQs About Landslides and Homeowners Insurance
Does Flood Insurance Cover Landslides?
No, flood insurance (under NFIP) does not cover landslide damages. However, it can cover mudflow and specific water-related incidents. You should check your policy details carefully to determine if you’re covered. If it’s unclear, call your insurance agent, and ask them to explain what would and wouldn’t be covered in as plain language as possible.
Where Are Landslides Most Common?
California, Washington, Oregon, and Colorado are landslide hotspots in the U.S. due to frequently steep terrain, heavy rainfall, and seismic activity. They’re common also in the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and in parts of Hawaii and Alaska.
Who Is Liable for Landslide Damage?
Liability depends on situational factors, such as poor construction design or negligence from neighboring properties. Discuss specific cases with your insurance provider or lawyer.
Does FEMA Cover Landslides?
While NFIP policies cover flood-related damage, they do not cover damage caused solely by landslides. However, if a landslide is triggered by flooding, part of the damage might be covered under certain circumstances. FEMA also offers limited assistance and grants for landslide-related incidents, primarily through the NFIP’s mudflow coverage.
