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$16B+
CEA's claim-paying capacity
1M+
Number of CEA policyholders
1996
Year CEA was created by CA Legislature
25
Number of participating residential insurers
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More Than 1 Million Policyholders – And Growing

California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is one of the world's largest providers of residential earthquake insurance, with more than 1 million California households placing their confidence in us. Backed by the expertise of 25 participating insurance companies and more than $16 billion in claim-paying capacity, CEA is earthquake strong and earthquake ready.

In Your Community

Community Stories and Videos

CEA promotes and supports earthquake preparedness to Californians across the state. See what we’ve been up to lately.

Learn about events in your community

CEA promotes and supports earthquake preparedness to Californians across the state. See what we’ve been up to lately.
Our Story

History of CEA

Since 1996, CEA has been making earthquake insurance as affordable as possible for all California residents, while helping reduce their risk of earthquake loss wherever they live. Learn more about how we were created.

Learn about our History

CEA Leadership

CEA leads the way

Discover how our leadership continues CEA's vital mission to encourage and support effective action to reduce the risk of earthquake damage and loss.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Discover how our leadership continues CEA's vital mission to encourage and support effective action to reduce the risk of earthquake damage and loss.
Financials

CEA Financial Strength

With more than $15 billion in claim-paying capacity and more than $630 million in annual premium revenue, CEA is financially on solid ground.

See CEA Financial Information

Annual Legislative Reports

CEA Annual Legislative Reports to the Legislature and Insurance Commissioner

View Our Reports
Research Efforts and Opportunities

CEA Research

CEA’s research efforts are focused on learning how to reduce damage caused by earthquakes. Learn about our past research projects, our annual research forum, and research opportunities.

Dive into our research

CEA’s research efforts are focused on learning how to reduce damage caused by earthquakes. Learn about our past research projects, our annual research forum, and research opportunities.
Work With Us

Contracting & Employment

Join with CEA in helping 39.5 million California homeowners and renters reduce their risk of earthquake damage and loss. 

See Employment Opportunities

About CEA

We’ve gathered some frequently asked questions about our not-for-profit, privately managed, publicly funded organization to help you learn more about us and our mission.
Q. Is CEA a state agency?

A. No. CEA is a public instrumentality of the state. An instrumentality is an organization created by state law and operated for public purposes.  
 
CEA is a not-for-profit and receives no funding from the State of California, whether for operations or claim liabilities, and is not a part of the state budget. CEA is financed solely through insurer contributions, policyholder premiums, and its own investment returns. 

Learn more about CEA’s creation after the Northridge earthquake. 

Q. Is CEA financially sound?
A.  Yes. CEA has an A- (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best Co., the world's leading rating agency of insurance companies. 
Q. Why choose CEA earthquake insurance?
A. The not-for-profit CEA is one of the world’s largest providers of residential earthquake insurance. Our rates are based on science, not profit, enabling us to use the best science available to determine competitive earthquake insurance rates.  CEA is actuarially sound and could pay all covered claims if the 1906 San Francisco, 1989 Loma Prieta, or 1994 Northridge earthquake reoccurred today.
Q. Where can I buy a CEA earthquake insurance policy?
A. You can buy a CEA earthquake insurance policy through one of our participating residential insurance companies. CEA does not offer stand-alone policies.
Q. Is CEA hiring?

A. To check on the latest employment openings with CEA, please visit our Employment Opportunities page. For answers to questions regarding employment at CEA, please contact: 

See All FAQs

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