What Quartz Insurance Is

Quartz Insurance is a homeowners insurance company owned by Lemonade Insurance that focuses on coverage for homes in areas prone to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and wildfires. Unlike standard homeowners policies sold by larger carriers, Quartz specializes in high-risk properties that traditional insurers often decline or charge steep premiums to cover.

Quartz operates in California, where earthquake and wildfire risk is concentrated. The company uses technology-driven underwriting — meaning they assess risk through data models and algorithms rather than requiring in-person inspections for most policies. This approach lets them quote and bind policies faster than conventional insurers, though the trade-off is that coverage options are more standardized and less customizable.

The company is backed by Lemonade's parent company and operates under Lemonade's insurance license in most states. This matters because it means Quartz policies are subject to the same state insurance regulations and consumer protections as any other licensed insurer, and claims are handled through Lemonade's claims system.

Key Takeaways

  • Quartz insures homes in high-risk areas for earthquakes and wildfires where standard homeowners insurers often refuse coverage or charge very high rates.
  • The company uses automated underwriting based on property data, so you typically do not need an in-person inspection to get a quote or bind a policy.
  • Quartz policies include standard homeowners coverage (dwelling, personal property, liability) plus optional earthquake and wildfire add-ons, but deductibles for these perils are higher than standard homeowners deductibles.
  • Coverage is available only in California and a few other states; availability depends on your specific address and the company's current appetite for risk in your area.
  • Quartz does not cover flood damage — you must purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood insurer.

What Quartz Covers and What It Does Not

Quartz policies include the standard homeowners insurance components: dwelling coverage (the structure itself), personal property (your belongings), liability (if someone is injured on your property), and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable. These coverages work the same way as they do in a traditional homeowners policy.

The difference is in the optional add-ons. Quartz offers earthquake coverage and wildfire coverage as separate endorsements you can purchase. Both come with higher deductibles than your standard homeowners deductible — typically 15% to 25% of the dwelling coverage limit for earthquake, and a flat dollar amount or percentage for wildfire. This means you pay more out of pocket if a covered loss occurs, but the premium is lower than it would be if the deductible were standard.

Quartz does not cover flood damage, even if you add earthquake or wildfire coverage. Flood is excluded from all homeowners policies in the United States. If you live in a flood zone or want flood protection, you must buy a separate flood insurance policy. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the most common source, though some private insurers also write flood policies.

Quartz also does not cover damage from maintenance issues, wear and tear, or neglect — the same exclusions that explore to standard homeowners policies. If a roof leaks because it was not maintained, that is not covered. If a pipe bursts because you did not winterize, that is not covered.

How Quartz Underwriting and Pricing Work

Quartz uses automated underwriting, which means the company pulls data about your property from public records, satellite imagery, and third-party databases rather than sending an adjuster to inspect the house. This process is faster than traditional underwriting and often results in a quote within hours or days instead of weeks.

The company assesses earthquake risk using geological data and historical seismic activity maps. For wildfire risk, Quartz looks at your property's proximity to known fire zones, vegetation density, and local fire history. These models determine whether Quartz will insure the property at all and what the premium will be. If your address is in an area Quartz considers too risky, the company may decline to quote you.

Pricing varies based on the dwelling coverage limit you choose, the deductibles you select, and the optional endorsements you add. Earthquake and wildfire coverage premiums are separate from the base homeowners premium. Because Quartz targets high-risk properties, premiums are often lower than what you would pay through a standard insurer for the same coverage — but higher than what you would pay in a low-risk area.

Quartz may require a property inspection if the automated underwriting flags certain issues — for example, if satellite imagery suggests the roof is in poor condition or if the property is in an extremely high-risk zone. In those cases, the company will contact you to schedule an inspection before binding the policy.

Availability and State Restrictions

Quartz is licensed to write homeowners insurance in California and a limited number of other states. California is the primary market because earthquake and wildfire risk is highest there, and because California's insurance market has faced significant disruption as major carriers have stopped accepting new business.

Even within California, Quartz does not insure every address. The company uses risk models to determine which properties it will cover. If you request a quote and your address is outside Quartz's service area or appetite, you will be declined. This can happen even if you live in a major city — it depends on the specific risk profile of your location.

If Quartz declines you, your options include explore to the California FAIR Plan (a state-run insurer of last resort), seeking quotes from other specialty insurers that serve high-risk properties, or working with an insurance broker who has relationships with carriers that may accept your address. The FAIR Plan is more expensive than Quartz but will insure almost any property in California that meets basic habitability standards.

How to Get a Quote and Bind a Policy

You can request a quote from Quartz through its website or by phone. The process is straightforward: you provide your address, the dwelling coverage limit you want, and basic information about the property (year built, square footage, construction type). Quartz's automated system pulls public data and generates a quote, usually within a few hours.

If you want to move forward, you can bind the policy online or over the phone. Binding means the coverage is now in effect, and you are committed to paying the premium. Quartz typically allows you to bind a policy when ready after receiving a quote, though the company may require an inspection before binding if the automated underwriting flagged concerns.

You will need to provide proof of prior insurance if you have it, though this is not always required. You will also need to set up payment — Quartz accepts monthly payments, annual payments, or semi-annual payments. The policy becomes effective on the date you choose, subject to any inspection requirements.

If Quartz requires an inspection, the company will contact you to schedule it. The inspection is typically done by a third party and takes 30 to 60 minutes. Once the inspection is complete and any issues are resolved, the policy binds.

Deductibles and Out-of-Pocket Costs

Your standard homeowners deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered loss — is typically $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. You choose this when you buy the policy, and a higher deductible means a lower premium.

If you add earthquake or wildfire coverage, those endorsements come with separate, higher deductibles. An earthquake deductible is usually 15% to 25% of your dwelling coverage limit. If your dwelling coverage is $300,000 and your earthquake deductible is 20%, you would pay $60,000 out of pocket before earthquake coverage kicks in. This is standard across the insurance industry because earthquake risk is concentrated and potentially catastrophic.

Wildfire deductibles vary by insurer and policy. Quartz may offer a flat dollar deductible (for example, $5,000) or a percentage deductible. The exact terms depend on your location and the coverage limit you choose.

These high deductibles are why earthquake and wildfire coverage is optional. Many homeowners in lower-risk areas choose not to add these endorsements, accepting the risk that an earthquake or wildfire loss would not be covered. Others add the coverage but choose a higher deductible to keep the premium affordable.

Claims Process and Customer Service

Quartz handles claims through Lemonade's claims system. If you have a loss, you report it through the Lemonade app or website, or by calling Lemonade's claims line. You will need to provide details about the loss — what happened, when it happened, and photos if possible.

Lemonade assigns a claims adjuster who will review your claim and determine whether it is covered under your policy. For smaller claims, this process may be handled entirely through the app. For larger or more complex claims, the adjuster may request additional documentation or schedule an inspection of the damage.

Lemonade publishes average claims processing times on its website, though these vary depending on the type of claim and the complexity of the loss. Catastrophic events like major earthquakes or wildfires can slow processing because the volume of claims overwhelms the system.

Customer service is available through the app, email, and phone. Because Quartz is a technology-focused company, the app is the primary way to manage your policy, view coverage details, and communicate with support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Quartz cover earthquake damage?

Earthquake damage is not covered under the standard Quartz homeowners policy. You must add an earthquake endorsement to your policy to get this coverage. The endorsement comes with a high deductible (typically 15% to 25% of dwelling coverage) and a separate premium.

What if I live in a flood zone?

Quartz does not cover flood damage. If you live in a flood zone or want flood protection, you must purchase a separate flood insurance policy. The National Flood Insurance Program is the most common option, though some private insurers also write flood policies. You can explore for flood insurance through an insurance agent or broker.

Can I cancel my Quartz policy anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your Quartz policy at any time. The process is typically done through the app or by calling Lemonade. If you cancel mid-term, Quartz will refund the unused portion of your premium on a pro-rata basis. Some policies may have a short initial commitment period, so check your policy documents for details.

What happens if Quartz declines my address?

If Quartz declines to insure your property, you can explore to the California FAIR Plan, which is a state-run insurer of last resort. The FAIR Plan will insure almost any property in California, though premiums are typically higher than private insurers. You can also work with an insurance broker to find other specialty carriers that may accept your address.

Does Quartz require an inspection before binding my policy?

Not always. Quartz uses automated underwriting for most properties, so you can bind a policy without an inspection. However, if the automated system flags concerns — such as roof condition or extremely high risk — Quartz may require an inspection before binding. The company will contact you if an inspection is needed.