Short answer: Alameda County's FEMA National Risk Index report ranks hazards for Oakland tracts.
This guide is general information for homeowners and drivers in the Oakland area (Alameda County). It isn't legal advice or a coverage determination. Your policy wording, underwriting, city and county ordinances, and state insurance and motor-vehicle rules control. Check your address on FEMA's National Risk Index (county report for Alameda County) and the Flood Map Service Center.
Local hazards: FEMA National Risk Index for Alameda County
Open FEMA's National Risk Index and the Alameda County report.
Federal disaster declarations in Alameda County
FEMA's disaster declarations data shows 19 major disaster declarations that included Alameda County since 1970, led by severe storm events (8), flood events (6) and fire events (2). The most recent: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, 2023, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides, 2023, Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, 2017 and Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides, 2017. FEMA also lists 3 emergency declarations for the county in the same data.
The 1991 hills fire
The City of Oakland's 2021–2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan records that the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire killed 25 people, injured 150 and caused more than $1.5 billion in fire losses. If you live in the hills, make sure your dwelling limit reflects today's rebuilding costs. Find out what your policy pays for code upgrades and for extra living expenses during a long rebuild.
Hayward Fault and soft-story buildings
The same plan says the Hayward Fault runs along the foot of the East Bay hills. It notes that USGS studies say the fault may be ready to produce a magnitude 6.8 to 7.0 earthquake. In 1989, Loma Prieta brought down the Cypress Structure on I-880 in Oakland. Since January 22, 2019, Ordinance No. 13516 has required owners of residential soft-story buildings to retrofit them. Standard homeowners and renters policies don't cover earthquake damage, so earthquake cover has to be bought separately.
Loma Prieta's lessons
The city's plan says the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, centered on the San Andreas Fault near Santa Cruz, killed 63 people across the region and displaced 12,053. It brought down the Cypress Structure in Oakland. It's the only major federal earthquake disaster declaration recorded for Alameda County and the city. If you rent a soft-story unit, ask your landlord whether the retrofit is finished. Renters can add earthquake coverage for belongings and extra living costs, but it's sold separately.
A magnitude 7 under Oakland
The USGS HayWired scenario models a hypothetical magnitude 7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault with its epicenter in Oakland. It studies shaking, aftershocks, fault slip, landslides and liquefaction, and how damage cascades through utilities and communications. The last large earthquake on the Hayward Fault was in 1868. Standard homeowners and renters policies exclude earthquake damage, so coverage has to be bought separately.
More for Oakland policyholders
The California FAIR Plan can provide fire coverage; owners typically add a separate difference-in-conditions policy. Defensible space and ember-resistant vents help with inspections.
Earthquake is excluded from homeowners policies—compare CEA options and ask whether a cripple-wall or soft-story retrofit changes your deductible eligibility.
Auto: California 30/60/15
Since January 1, 2025, California DMV requires at least $30,000/$60,000 bodily injury and $15,000 property damage for policies issued or renewed on or after that date.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in California.
Frequently asked questions
What auto liability does California require?
30/60/15.
Does an Oakland homeowners policy cover flood?
No; flood needs a separate policy.
Does my Oakland landlord's policy cover my belongings?
No; renters insurance covers them.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.