On August 2, 2025, at 10:19 PM, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake struck Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Though relatively minor, tremors were felt as far as Long Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas. Many residents reported their homes were creaking or visibly shaking. These moments don’t just cause concern, they often leave behind cracking, shifting, and other structural damage that may or may not be covered under your insurance policy. At United Public Adjusters, we’ve seen firsthand how earthquake property damage claims are handled, and more importantly, how often they are denied.
Case Study: Brooklyn Hotel Earthquake Damage (2024)
Following a tremor in April 2024, we supported another public adjusting firm on a claim involving a Brooklyn hotel. Though we weren’t the lead adjusters, our team provided key documentation including:
- Drone footage
- Professional photography of damages/asset losses
- Estimating and visual analysis
Following the earthquake, the property had clear exterior façade cracking. The insurance company immediately assigned an engineer to determine if the damage was new (and covered) or pre-existent (therefore excluded).
What the Engineer Said…
During the site inspection, the carrier’s own engineer acknowledged that some cracking appeared fresh and was likely related to recent seismic activity. He also identified older cracks unrelated to the tremor.
Additionally, security camera footage from a neighboring building showed visible swaying during the event. This footage confirmed there had been measurable structural movement in the area.
However… The Claim Was Denied. Despite:
- The engineer’s own acknowledgment of new damage.
- Footage showing movement.
- A policy that included a specific earthquake sublimit.
And yet, the carrier denied the claim in full. This outcome illustrates a hard truth: even when the facts line up, coverage decisions rest solely with your insurance carrier, and often reflect their need to oversee their risk management more than fairness towards you, their policyholder.
Why Earthquake Damage Claims Are Often Denied
- Exclusions: Most commercial and residential policies in the Northeast exclude earthquake damage unless a specific endorsement or rider is added.
- High Deductibles or Sublimits: Even when coverage exists, deductibles can be 5–10% of the insured value, with capped payouts.
- Â Causation Ambiguity: Carriers will argue damage was pre-existing or not directly caused by seismic activity.
- Strategic Precedent: Many insurers fear that acknowledging one earthquake property damage claim opens the door to additional earthquake damage claims from their policyholders..
What We Do Differently at United Public Adjusters & Appraisers
If your earthquake damage claim is denied—or if your building suffers visible damage after an event such as an earthquake, the UPA team will:
- Conduct a line-by-line review of the engineering report.
- Request written clarification where field observations are omitted or vague.
- Build a documented, time-stamped claim file with photos, videos, and testing.
- Engage carriers in evidence-backed negotiations.
- Pursue specialized engineering reviews if necessary.
UPA will negotiate with your carrier to turn their “no” into “let’s review”, and to achieve a fair settlement offer for you.Â
What You Should Do Now
If you felt the August 2nd quake and notice any changes in your property. Give United Public Adjusters & Appraisers a call. We’ll respond promptly and will:
- Photograph any earthquake property damage: cracks, door misalignments, foundation shifts, ceiling cracks and/or separation.
- Save any video footage: from security cameras, Ring devices, etc.
- Write down what you experienced: include the time, location, and building reaction
- Review your insurance policy: see if you have earthquake coverage or a sublimit
UPA’s CEO Featured in Brick Underground Article
Following the 2024 earthquake, United Public Adjusters’ CEO, Philip Maltaghati, was interviewed by Brick Underground to help New Yorkers understand how earthquake insurance works (or doesn’t) in NYC. In that article, Philip broke down why many co-ops, condos, and commercial properties are underinsured or unaware of seismic exclusions in their policies.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Insurance companies may be quick to deny, but that doesn’t mean the story ends there. Whether you’re dealing with earthquake property damage now or want to review your policy proactively, United Public Adjusters & Appraisers is here to help.
Contact United Public Adjusters today for a free policy review or damage assessment.
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About United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc.
United Public Adjusters & Appraisers, Inc. is a nationally licensed public adjusting firm serving over 25 states with a focus on complex, high-value property insurance claims.
With established offices in New York City and Long Island, our deep bench of adjusters, estimators, engineers, and advocates is built to support large-loss commercial, multi-family, and institutional clients.
We work exclusively on behalf of policyholders -never the insurance companies- to secure proper documentation, defend coverage, and recover what’s rightfully owed to you after disaster strikes.
Offices in NYC & Long Island | Serving Policyholders in Over 25 States
Call: 800-718-5677
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