Earthquakes risk in Indiana

You're standing in the kitchen of a 1920s bungalow in Evansville, and the realtor mentions "we're not in a flood zone." Great. But what about the fault line that runs under the Wabash River? That's a different conversation. Indiana gets earthquakes—not big ones often, but enough that you should know what your insurance does and doesn't cover.

Why Indiana looks like this

Indiana sits in the middle of the North American plate, so it's not on a plate boundary like California. But it's close to two active seismic zones: the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Missouri and Arkansas, and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone along the Illinois-Indiana border. The USGS says the Wabash Valley is capable of magnitude 5+ quakes. The New Madrid zone produced some of the largest earthquakes in U.S. history in 1811 and 1812.

Southwest Indiana feels the most shaking. Counties like Posey, Vanderburgh, Gibson, Knox, Sullivan, and Vigo are closest to those zones. Evansville, Terre Haute, and Vincennes have higher risk than Indianapolis or Fort Wayne. Up near the Lake Michigan shoreline, the risk is lower, but a big New Madrid quake could still rattle windows in Gary or South Bend.

The statewide rating from HomeRiskMap is 2 out of 5. That means "low" but not "none." You're more likely to deal with a tornado or a flood in Indiana, but earthquakes are part of the mix. The soft soils along the Ohio River and Wabash River valleys can amplify shaking, so a quake that starts in Missouri might crack more plaster in Evansville than in Bloomington.

Insurance gaps people miss

Here's the thing: your standard homeowners policy does not cover earthquake damage. It's excluded. You have to buy a separate endorsement or a standalone policy. Same goes for flood—different policy, different agency (NFIP or private). People miss that all the time. Renters and condo owners have the same gap; your HO-4 or HO-6 likely excludes earthquakes too.

In Indiana, earthquake coverage is usually cheap because the risk is low. But the deductible is often 10% to 15% of your dwelling coverage. So on a $250,000 house, you'd pay $25,000 before insurance kicks in. That's a lot. Still, for a few hundred dollars a year, it might be worth it if you live in Posey or Vanderburgh County. Ask your agent for two quotes: one with a 5% deductible, one with 10%. The premium difference is smaller than you'd think.

Also, if an earthquake breaks a gas line and your house burns down, does your policy cover the fire? Maybe—if the fire is the proximate cause. But if the shaking itself cracks the foundation, that's on you unless you have the endorsement. And don't forget: after a quake, you may need a structural engineer to assess the damage. That's out of pocket unless your policy includes "loss of use" or "additional living expenses" for earthquake. Check the fine print.

A practical weekend plan

If I had one weekend and $100, I'd start by strapping the water heater to the wall and anchoring the bookshelves. That's the cheapest way to prevent a fire or a broken bone during a shake. Then I'd walk through the house and look for heavy things that could fall on the bed or the couch. Secure the TV, the fridge, and any tall furniture.

Next, learn how to shut off your gas meter. In Indiana, CenterPoint and other utilities can show you where the valve is. If you smell gas after a quake, you don't want to be fumbling with a wrench. Keep a wrench near the meter. Also, install latches on kitchen cabinets so plates don't fly out.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family. Ready.gov has a one-page guide. And check your insurance—call your agent Monday morning. That's your first move. If you live in an older home with a brick foundation, ask a contractor about a seismic retrofit. It's not cheap, but it's not necessary for most of Indiana. Simple anchoring is enough.

Questions we get

Does Indiana actually have earthquakes?

Yes, but they're usually small. The USGS records a few minor quakes each year, mostly in the southwest. The bigger concern is a large quake from the New Madrid or Wabash Valley zones that could shake Indiana for a minute or more. You might feel it in Indianapolis, but damage would be most likely near the Ohio River.

Do I need earthquake insurance in Indiana?

Not legally. Your mortgage lender won't require it. But if you live in Posey, Vanderburgh, Gibson, Knox, Sullivan, or Vigo County, get a quote. It's often under $200 a year. If you're in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, it's a personal call—low risk, low cost. I'd skip it in the northern half of the state unless you have a very old masonry house.

What's the difference between earthquake and flood coverage?

Both are excluded from standard homeowners policies. Flood insurance comes from FEMA's NFIP or a private carrier. Earthquake insurance is a separate endorsement or policy. You need both if you want full protection. Don't assume one covers the other. And don't wait until after a quake to buy—there's usually a waiting period.

Official maps and agencies

Here's where to verify everything I just said:

• Indiana Department of Homeland Security – state emergency management and preparedness.
• USGS Earthquake Hazards Program – maps, recent quakes, and hazard forecasts.
• Ready.gov – Earthquakes – what to do before, during, and after.
• FEMA Earthquake Safety – risk management and building guidance.

That's it. You don't need to panic. But you do need to know that a $250,000 house in Evansville and a $250,000 house in Indianapolis have different earthquake odds. Check your county on the USGS map, then call your insurance agent. That's the whole game.