Home Insurance Calculators
Missouri Home Insurance Calculator
The same $200,000 home costs 10 times more to insure against earthquake in the Bootheel than in Kansas City — and fewer homeowners in the highest-risk zone are buying that coverage than a decade ago.
Estimate your earthquake insurance premium
Based on Missouri DCI's own 2024 regional survey data, scaled to your dwelling value.
Scaled proportionally from Missouri DCI's 2024 survey of a $200,000 home in each region — actual quotes depend on construction type, deductible chosen, and specific carrier. Masonry homes run notably higher than frame construction.
Missouri's earthquake risk most people don't know about
The New Madrid Seismic Zone, running through southeast Missouri and into Arkansas, Tennessee, and Illinois, produced some of the most powerful earthquakes in US history — in 1811 and 1812, sequences strong enough to be felt across most of the eastern United States. The zone remains genuinely active today: hundreds of small tremors are recorded annually, and the USGS estimates a 25–40% probability of a magnitude 6.0 or greater earthquake in the region within the next 50 years.
The disparity, straight from the state's own data
The genuinely surprising part: coverage is going down, not up
Despite rising awareness and rising premiums, actual earthquake insurance take-up in the highest-risk region has declined — from 18.3% of residences in the seven-county New Madrid area in 2015 to just 10.4% by 2024. Statewide, fewer than 20% of residences in 101 of Missouri's 115 counties carry earthquake coverage at all. Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake damage entirely by default — it's only available as a separate endorsement or standalone policy, a coverage gap many Missouri homeowners may not realize they have until it's too late.
The market is actually improving
What to know before you buy
- Deductibles run meaningfully higher than standard homeowners policies — commonly 10–20% of the dwelling limit, meaning a real, substantial out-of-pocket cost even with coverage in place.
- There's a waiting period — typically 30 to 60 days after purchase before earthquake coverage takes effect, so this isn't something to add the week seismic activity picks up.
- Masonry construction costs meaningfully more to insure than frame construction against earthquake risk — nearly 45% more in some regional comparisons — reflecting how differently the two structural types perform in a seismic event.
Beyond earthquake: the more familiar Missouri risks
Missouri also sits among the top 10 states for tornado frequency, with the Kansas City, Springfield, and St. Louis corridors absorbing heavy annual hail claim volume — the more conventional Midwest severe weather story layered on top of the less-expected seismic exposure. Reported average statewide premiums vary considerably by source, generally in the $1,300–$2,829 range depending on methodology and coverage assumptions.
The New Madrid earthquake premium disparity, take-up rate trends, and market availability figures are sourced directly from the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance's own published survey data and consumer guidance. This is a planning estimate — get an actual quote from a licensed Missouri agent, and confirm current figures with DCI's Consumer Hotline (800-726-7390).
Frequently asked questions
Before you buy Missouri home insurance.
Does standard Missouri homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?
No. Earthquake coverage is excluded from standard homeowners policies by default and must be purchased as a separate endorsement or standalone policy.
How much more does earthquake insurance cost near the New Madrid zone?
Substantially more — Missouri's Department of Commerce and Insurance found the average premium for an identical $200,000 home was over 10 times higher in Caruthersville (in the zone) than in Kansas City.
Why don't more Missouri homeowners in high-risk areas buy earthquake coverage?
The exact reasons vary, but take-up rates have actually declined over the past decade despite rising awareness campaigns - from 18.3% to 10.4% in the seven-county New Madrid region between 2015 and 2024.
What is the deductible on Missouri earthquake insurance?
Typically 10-20% of the dwelling limit - meaningfully higher than a standard homeowners deductible, representing a real out-of-pocket cost even with coverage in place.
Is Missouri earthquake insurance becoming easier to find?
Yes - the share of insurers writing new earthquake policies statewide increased from 32% to 37% between 2024 and 2025, with improved availability specifically in the New Madrid area.