Short answer: To make your home earthquake ready, (1) get the structure checked and fix cracks, (2) anchor heavy furniture, cylinders and fixtures, (3) make a family plan and pick safe spots, (4) keep an emergency kit and documents ready, and (5) insure the building and contents with a policy that covers earthquake. Most of these steps cost a few thousand rupees; a structural retrofit costs more and is worth budgeting for if you live in a high-risk zone.
Last updated: 13 October 2026.
India sits on an active plate boundary, and large parts of the Himalayan belt, the North-East, Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a history of damaging earthquakes. Even cities in lower-risk zones feel tremors from distant quakes. You cannot predict an earthquake, but you can reduce the chance that your home injures your family or wipes out your savings.
This guide walks through five practical steps, what each one roughly costs, and how to pay for the bigger items without straining your budget.
First, know your seismic risk
India’s seismic zones are set by the Bureau of Indian Standards in IS 1893, the earthquake design code. Zone V is the highest-risk category and Zone II the lowest. A revised 2025 version of the code with a new map (including a new highest-risk zone) was released and then withdrawn by BIS in March 2026 after objections over consultation and construction costs, so the earlier version of the code is what applies for now. Because zoning can change, ask your local development authority or a structural engineer which zone and building rules apply to your plot or society.
Your zone matters for two reasons: it tells you how much structural work is sensible, and it affects how seriously you should treat insurance.
1. Get the structure checked and fix weak spots
The National Disaster Management Authority, in its earthquake do’s and don’ts, advises repairing deep plaster cracks and getting expert advice if there are signs of structural defects. For an independent house or an older building, a structural engineer’s visit is the single most useful thing you can pay for.
- Look for warning signs: diagonal cracks near doors and windows, cracks in beams or columns, exposed or rusted steel, sagging slabs, dampness that has eaten into concrete.
- Soft storey risk: buildings on stilts (open parking at ground level with few walls) are vulnerable. If your society has one, raise it with the managing committee.
- Additions and extra floors: rooms or floors added later without engineering approval are a common weak point.
- Parapets, water tanks and chimneys: heavy items on the roof can fall. Make sure they are tied in properly.
For apartments, structural decisions are collective. A residents’ welfare association can commission one audit for the whole building, which is far cheaper per flat than individual checks.
2. Secure what can fall, slide or break
In moderate quakes, many injuries come from falling objects rather than collapsing buildings. NDMA lists simple measures that cost little:
- Fasten tall cupboards, bookshelves and refrigerators to the wall with L-brackets or straps.
- Keep heavy and breakable items on lower shelves.
- Anchor overhead lights and brace ceiling fans.
- Strap or bolt water heaters (geysers) and gas cylinders, and fix leaking gas lines and faulty wiring.
- Do not hang heavy mirrors, frames or shelves above beds, sofas or study tables.
- Store chemicals, pesticides and flammable products in closed, secured cabinets.
A weekend and ₹3,000–₹8,000 of brackets, straps and hardware covers most two- or three-bedroom homes. A handyman will usually do it in a day.
3. Make a family plan
Everyone at home, including children, elderly parents and domestic help, should know what to do. NDMA’s guidance during shaking is drop, cover and hold on: get down, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run out while the building is shaking, and stay away from windows, glass and outer walls.
- Identify a safe spot in each room (under a strong table, against an inner wall).
- Pick an outdoor meeting point away from buildings, trees and power lines.
- Agree on one out-of-town contact everyone will call or message.
- Show adults how to shut off the main gas valve and electricity.
- Practise once or twice a year, especially with children.
4. Keep an emergency kit and your documents ready
Keep a bag where you can grab it quickly. A basic kit for a family of four typically costs ₹2,500–₹5,000 to assemble.
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Water (3 litres per person per day for 3 days) and dry food | Supply may be cut for days |
| Torch, spare batteries, power bank, whistle | Power cuts; signalling if trapped |
| First-aid kit and 2 weeks of regular medicines | Pharmacies may be shut |
| Cash in small notes | ATMs and UPI may not work if networks are down |
| Copies of ID, insurance policies, property papers, bank details | Needed for claims and relief |
| Sturdy shoes, gloves, dust masks | Broken glass and debris |
Store scanned copies of key documents in a secure cloud folder or DigiLocker as well. If you have a loan, note your lender’s customer care number and loan account number; you may need to contact them about EMIs after a disaster.
5. Insure the building and contents
Structural safety reduces the risk of injury; insurance protects your finances. Earthquake damage is usually covered under property (fire and allied perils) policies, not by default under every home loan or society policy, so check the wording.
For homeowners, the standard Bharat Griha Raksha policy offered by general insurers lists “earthquake, volcanic eruption or other convulsions of nature” as an insured peril. Per one insurer’s key features document for this product, the building is insured for its rebuilding cost, underinsurance is not applied, and general contents are automatically covered at 20% of the building sum insured (capped at ₹10 lakh) unless you choose otherwise. Terms vary slightly by insurer, so read the policy wording before you buy.
Worked example: Suppose rebuilding your 1,000 sq ft flat would cost about ₹2,500 per sq ft. Your building sum insured should be around ₹25 lakh, not the market price of the flat (which includes land value). Contents would be auto-covered at 20% of ₹25 lakh, that is ₹5 lakh. Annual premiums for such cover are usually a few thousand rupees, but get quotes, because they depend on location and construction.
Tenants can buy contents-only cover. Housing societies often hold a building policy for common structure; ask the committee whether it includes earthquake and for how much. Our insurance guide explains the basics.
How much does earthquake-proofing cost, and how do people pay for it?
| Step | Typical cost range (indicative) | Usual way to pay |
|---|---|---|
| Securing furniture, fixtures, cylinders | ₹3,000–₹10,000 | Monthly budget |
| Emergency kit | ₹2,500–₹5,000 | Monthly budget |
| Structural engineer’s inspection | Varies by city and building size; get quotes | Savings or society fund |
| Crack repair, re-plastering, roof tank fixing | ₹20,000–₹2 lakh | Savings, society sinking fund |
| Structural retrofitting (jacketing columns, adding shear walls) | Can run into lakhs | Society corpus, home improvement loan |
| Home insurance | A few thousand rupees a year | Annual premium |
These figures are indicative only; actual costs depend on your city, building type and contractor. For small items, use your monthly budget or emergency fund. For bigger repairs or retrofitting, many owners use savings or a society sinking fund first. If you need to borrow, a home renovation loan or a top-up on an existing home loan is usually cheaper than an unsecured personal loan because it is secured by the property. If you do take a personal loan, check the EMI first with a personal loan EMI calculator.
Need funds for structural repairs? Compare home improvement loan offers from RBI-regulated lenders.
After an earthquake: protect your money too
- Check for gas leaks, damaged wiring and cracks before re-entering. If in doubt, stay out until an engineer has looked at it.
- Photograph all damage before cleaning up; insurers need evidence.
- Inform your insurer quickly and keep bills for any emergency repairs.
- If your income is affected, contact your lender early. Lenders may offer relief in notified disasters, but only if you ask.
- Beware of fraudsters posing as relief agencies or insurance agents; pay only through official channels.
Building up savings ahead of time is the best cushion; our savings calculator can help you plan a monthly target.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the safest place in a house during an earthquake?
Under a sturdy table or bed, or against an inner wall away from windows and heavy furniture. NDMA advises drop, cover and hold on, and not running out while the shaking continues.
Does home insurance in India cover earthquakes?
Standard fire and allied perils policies, including Bharat Griha Raksha, list earthquake as an insured peril. Check your policy wording, sum insured and any exclusions.
Should I insure my flat at its market value?
No. Insure the building for the cost of rebuilding it. Market value includes land, which is not destroyed in an earthquake.
Can I take a loan to retrofit my house?
Yes. Home improvement or renovation loans and top-up home loans can be used for structural repairs. Compare the rate, fees and EMI before borrowing.
How do I find out which seismic zone my city is in?
The zones are set in the BIS earthquake code IS 1893. Ask your local development authority or a structural engineer, as the map has been under revision.
Sources
Disclosure: FundsTiger (Gatimaan Finance Advisors Pvt. Ltd.) is a loan marketplace and lending service provider for RBI-regulated lenders. Aparampaar Finance Pvt. Ltd. (Omozing), one of those lenders, is a related party of FundsTiger. This article is general information, not financial advice. Read your loan agreement and KFS before you decide.