 TITLE: Why Are My Home Insurance Quotes So High? CONTENT: Optional Home Insurance Policies to Consider\n--------------------------------------------\nStandard home insurance covers damage from wind, hail, lightning or fire, though floods and earthquakes typically require their own policies. Here's what you need to know about these two types of insurance:\n*   **Earthquake insurance**: A typical homeowners insurance policy doesn't cover earthquakes, so if you live on the West Coast or another area prone to quakes, you may want to purchase optional earthquake insurance. It will be an additional cost on top of your existing policy, which can be hefty if you live in a high-risk area. In evaluating whether to get it, you'll need to consider your budget, how likely your area is to experience an earthquake and your tolerance for risk. While earthquakes aren't likely in some areas, keep in mind that if your house or belongings are damaged in one, you'll be on the hook for the cost of repairs unless you have an earthquake insurance policy.\n*   **Flood insurance**: Flood damage also isn't covered by standard home insurance policies. If you live in a high-risk area, you may be required to have a flood insurance policy, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But even those in areas of moderate or low risk should consider getting optional flood insurance since even a minor flood can cause massive and expensive damage inside a home. END