What is the CEA?
The California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is a privately owned but publicly managed insurance company unaffiliated with the California Department of Insurance. The CEA was created by the California State Legislature in 1996 in response to the critical problems that arose after the Northridge Earthquake of 1994. Its primary focus was to allow insurers to continue providing earthquake insurance at a time when most insurance carriers were withdrawing from the market. In many cases, however, this meant higher premiums and fewer benefits. If your residence is insured by an insurance company that is a member of the CEA, then the earthquake insurance offered by your insurer is a CEA policy.
