Jumpstart provides earthquake insurance that helps cover immediate expenses that occur as the result of an intense earthquake. Policyholders pay a low monthly cost in premiums, and if their area experiences an intense earthquake, they’ll receive a text from Jumpstart asking if they incurred expenses. If they reply yes, they’ll receive a lump sum payment in just a few days.

Jumpstart is unique because it uses data from the UnitedStates Geological Survey to determine payment eligibility. Locations that are coded on the USGS shake map as experiencing "severe" shaking with a peak ground velocity (PGV) of 30 centimeters per second or more are eligible to receive payment.

The lump sum payment can be used for any quake-related expenses excluding losses covered by other insurance and losses due to bodily harm. Examples of expenses that can be covered using Jumpstart include:

·     Living expenses

·     Replacing broken items

·     Moving costs

·     Child/elder care

·     Home repairs

At the moment, Jumpstart is available in California and offers insurance in case of earthquakes. In the future, they plan to expand to other areas of the United States and provide financial buffers for additional natural disasters.