Annual Legislative Reports (Web Page)
California Insurance Code §10089.13(a) requires the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) to report annually to the Legislature and Insurance Commissioner on CEA program operations.
CEA Governing Board expands policyholder eligibility for seismic retrofit grants (Web Page)
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) Governing Board voted unanimously to offer up to a $3,000 retrofit grant, to approximately 30,000 CEA policyholders as part of CEA’s existing Brace + Bolt program. Previously, 12,000 CEA policyholders were eligible to apply for this retrofit grant, launched earlier this year. Beginning July 1, eligible CEA policyholders can receive up to a 25% discount on their CEA earthquake insurance premium when they…
California Earthquake Authority’s Governing Board Announces Leadership Change (Web Page)
(Sacramento, CA) - The Governing Board of the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) has announced that Tom Welsh, CEA’s Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Tom Welsh assumes the Interim CEO role following Glenn Pomeroy’s decision to step down as CEO following 16 years of service. To ensure a smooth transition of CEA’s leadership, in a way that protects CEA’s policyholders, the Governing…
New publication guides assessment, repair of residential earthquake damage (Web Page)
(SACRAMENTO) Updated guidelines for identifying, evaluating and repairing residential earthquake damage were unveiled today at the California Earthquake Authority’s (CEA’s) annual claim manager meeting. Experts from CEA and the Applied Technology Council (ATC) presented the new CEA-ATC publication “Earthquake Damage Assessment and Repair Guidelines for Residential Wood-Frame Buildings”—a two-volume set covering common earthquake damage to…
Kroll Bond Rating Agency Affirms California Earthquake Authority LTCR at 'A+'; Outlook Stable (Web Page)
New York (September 14, 2023) KBRA affirms the A+ long-term credit rating (LTCR) for the California Earthquake Authority's (CEA) Series 2022A Revenue Bonds. The Outlook is Stable. Key Credit Considerations The rating on the revenue bonds is based on KBRA's assessment of the CEA's financial strength as an essential earthquake insurance provider in the state of California as well as key structural aspects of the bonds. As of June…
Five-year anniversary of La Habra earthquake is a reminder to get prepared (Web Page)
(SACRAMENTO) Five years ago today, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck on the Puente Hills fault in La Habra and produced shaking felt across several Southern California counties. More than a hundred aftershocks followed during the next few days, including a magnitude 4.1 quake just a few miles away. The 2014 La Habra quake delivered a reminder to Southern Californians that even moderate earthquakes can cause damage—in this case, power outages,…
Inspection Professionals (IP) (Web Page)
CEA offers policyholders a Hazard Reduction Discount (HRD) if their house was built prior to 1980 and meets certain qualifications identified in the Dwelling Retrofit Verification (DRV) (PDF) form. YOU are the key to helping homeowners provide the DRV form to their insurance agent when applying for the HRD. The DRV provides a checklist for California licensed inspection professionals to use in verifying a house…
Northridge earthquake anniversary prompts reminders for California residents (Web Page)
(SACRAMENTO) Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the 1994 Northridge earthquake—the magnitude-6.7 shake that caused widespread damage to freeways, office buildings and homes. The cost to rebuild or repair homes has increased by about 170 percent over the past two decades, and authorities estimate that if the Northridge quake occurred today residential damage in the area could be as high as $79 billion*. “As we commemorate the…
Millions of Californians prepare to participate in annual ShakeOut earthquake drill (Web Page)
(SACRAMENTO) Millions of Californians will take an important step toward earthquake safety this Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10:18 a.m. during the 10th annual Great California ShakeOut drill, by practicing how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” when the ground shakes. Most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault. Scientists say there is a 99 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake striking our state within the next 30 years. “…
Anniversary of 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake offers reminder to Californians to reduce their risk of loss from earthquakes (Web Page)
(SACRAMENTO) Sunday marks the 30th anniversary of the 1987 magnitude-5.9 Whittier Narrows earthquake—reported to have caused $358 million in property damage (equivalent to about $760 million today).* The Whittier Narrows earthquake occurred about 12 miles east of Los Angeles on a previously unknown fault. The quake was moderate in strength, but it was responsible for eight deaths, numerous injuries and substantial damage. “So often when we…