Daly City Earthquake Insurance
Daly City sits directly on the San Andreas Fault — not near it, not close to it, on it. The 1957 Daly City earthquake proved this isn't theoretical. With tens of thousands of unretrofitted postwar homes, earthquake insurance here is as essential as the roof over your head.
What Daly City Homeowners Face
Directly on the San Andreas Fault
Daly City is one of the only Bay Area cities sitting directly on the fault zone. The 1957 earthquake (5.3M) caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. A larger event is a matter of when, not if.
Unretrofitted 1940s-60s Housing
Thousands of Daly City homes are postwar tract houses that were never seismically retrofitted. Soft-story garages, unbolted foundations, and cripple walls create collapse risk.
Dense Row-House Construction
Daly City's dense housing means one home's collapse can damage neighboring structures. The domino effect in tightly-packed neighborhoods amplifies losses.
Earthquake Insurance in Daly City
There is no city on the Peninsula where earthquake insurance is more important than Daly City. You are on the fault. Your homes are older and largely unretrofitted. Your homeowners policy covers zero earthquake damage. A CEA or private earthquake policy is the only thing standing between you and financial catastrophe after a major seismic event.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Daly City
What Your Daly City Property Is Really Worth to Insure
Daly City's median home of $1.1M may be more affordable than neighboring cities, but a total earthquake loss without insurance is still devastating. A $600K dwelling policy with a 15% CEA deductible means $90K out of pocket before coverage kicks in. That's real money — but it's recoverable. Losing a $600K home with no coverage and a $400K mortgage is not.
The 5 Most Expensive Earthquake Insurance Mistakes in Daly City
Paul's Take“Daly City is where I draw the hardest line. You're on the San Andreas Fault. I don't care what your budget looks like — find room for earthquake insurance. I've had this conversation hundreds of times, and I'll keep having it. The 1957 quake was a 5.3, and it knocked houses off their foundations. The next one could be a 7. Your homeowners policy won't pay a dime. Get the earthquake coverage.”
— Paul Nadler, Principal
Why Daly City Chooses Nadler
- Fault-zone expertise. We insure homes directly on the San Andreas — we know the carriers, the pricing, and the options for Daly City's specific risk.
- Retrofit connections. We can connect you with seismic retrofit contractors and help you understand the premium savings.
- CEA + private comparison. We shop both markets to find the most affordable path to real coverage.
- 15 minutes away. Our San Carlos office is a short drive from Daly City. Local, responsive, always available.
Frequently Asked Questions — Earthquake Insurance in Daly City
How much does earthquake insurance cost in Daly City?
Should I retrofit my Daly City home?
What's the minimum earthquake coverage I should carry?
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Ready to protect your Daly City home?
Talk to a local broker who knows Daly City — and has since 1927.