An insurance policy can seem straightforward until you actually need to use it. For Texas homeowners and drivers, reviewing coverage before an accident, severe storm, or property loss can help identify gaps while there is still time to address them.
The most useful review goes beyond the premium. Deductibles, liability limits, exclusions, roof coverage, flood protection, and location-specific risks can all affect what an insurance policy may cover.
Here are seven areas Texas consumers should review.
1. Check Your Auto Liability Limits
Texas requires drivers to maintain minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury to one person, $60,000 for bodily injury to two or more people in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
These are state minimums, not necessarily the amount every driver needs. If you cause a serious accident and the resulting costs exceed your policy limits, you could potentially be responsible for the difference.
Review your liability limits annually and consider whether they still make sense for your circumstances.
2. Understand Your Home Insurance Deductible
A homeowners policy may have different deductibles for different types of losses. In Texas, wind and hail coverage can have a separate deductible, which may be substantially different from the standard deductible.
Percentage-based deductibles also deserve attention. For example, a 2% deductible on $400,000 of covered property would equal $8,000 if the percentage is calculated against that amount.
Check your policy’s declarations page and ask your insurer how each deductible applies.
3. Review Your Roof Coverage
Texas weather can make roof coverage particularly important, but homeowners insurance does not necessarily pay for every roof problem.
Coverage can depend on the cause of damage, the condition and age of the roof, and the terms of the policy. Some policies may use replacement-cost coverage, while others may account for depreciation.
If you recently replaced your roof, make sure your insurer has accurate information. If the roof is older, ask how the policy currently treats roof damage.
4. Don’t Assume Flooding Is Covered
Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is typically purchased separately.
Flooding is not limited to properties immediately next to rivers or the coast. Heavy rainfall can create flood conditions in many parts of Texas.
If flooding is a concern, review your options before severe weather arrives. Flood insurance can also have eligibility requirements and waiting periods, so buying coverage after a storm is approaching may not protect against that event.
5. Check Wind and Hail Coverage Near the Coast
Texas homeowners in coastal areas should pay particular attention to wind and hail coverage.
Some policies along the coast may exclude wind and hail, requiring separate coverage. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) provides wind and hail coverage to eligible property owners in designated areas when coverage cannot be obtained through the voluntary market.
Before hurricane season, check whether your policy covers wind and hail, which deductible applies, and whether you have separate windstorm coverage.
6. Make Sure Your Coverage Matches Your Property
Insurance should reflect what you own today-not necessarily what you owned when the policy was first purchased.
A major renovation, new appliances, expensive electronics, jewelry, or additional structures can change your coverage needs. Keeping a basic home inventory with photographs, descriptions, and receipts for valuable items can also make documentation easier after a loss.
Review dwelling coverage, personal property limits, additional living expenses, and coverage for particularly valuable possessions.
7. Review Comprehensive and Collision Coverage
Texas requires liability insurance, but liability coverage does not generally pay to repair your own vehicle after every type of loss.
Collision coverage can help with covered collision damage, while comprehensive coverage can apply to certain non-collision losses such as theft, hail, fire, or flooding, subject to the policy terms and deductible.
This distinction matters in Texas, where a vehicle can sustain significant hail damage without being involved in an accident.
Quick Texas Insurance Checklist
- Auto liability limits
- Home and auto deductibles
- Wind and hail deductibles
- Roof coverage and roof age
- Flood insurance needs
- Coastal windstorm coverage
- Home and personal-property limits
- Valuable possessions and recent purchases
- Comprehensive and collision coverage
- Major home improvements or newly purchased vehicles
For additional state-specific guidance, readers can explore these Texas insurance articles covering other home, auto, property, and insurance questions.
Common Questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Texas?
Texas law generally does not require homeowners to purchase homeowners insurance. However, mortgage lenders commonly require coverage as a condition of a home loan.
Does Texas require comprehensive and collision coverage?
No. Texas law requires financial responsibility, which most drivers satisfy through liability insurance. A lender or leasing company may separately require comprehensive and collision coverage.
Does homeowners insurance cover an old roof?
Not necessarily. Ordinary deterioration and wear are generally different from sudden damage caused by a covered event. The policy’s terms and the circumstances of the loss determine whether coverage applies.
The Bottom Line
A yearly insurance review can help Texas consumers understand what their policies actually cover before they need to file a claim. Pay particular attention to deductibles, exclusions, liability limits, roof coverage, flooding, and wind and hail protection. When your home, vehicle, finances, or location changes, your insurance needs may change with them.
