Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.
Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
Expert reviewed
Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Kristi Sullivan, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius. Previously, she was a regional consultant at Fidelity Investments for nine years.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Texas is $257 per monthor $3,080 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to our analysis of 2022 rates. While this is higher than the national average, there are several affordable home insurance options and plenty of ways for Texas homeowners to save on coverage in 2022.
At Policygenius, our educational guides are written and fact-checked by licensed home insurance experts and reviewed by our Financial Review Council to ensure autonomy, expertise, and accuracy.
To find the best home insurance companies in Texas, we analyzed over 30,000 quotes from the 15 largest insurance companies in the state to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022.
When analyzing costs for different coverage levels and risk factors, we changed just one variable at a time to ensure the rates we’re comparing are fair and representative of the factor at hand.
We then looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, AM Best financial health ratings, quality of policy options, discounts, and compared that with the coverage needs of Texas residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Texas.
To get the average rate for each company in Texas, we analyzed rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for 1,930 ZIP codes in Texas for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs — your actual quotes may differ.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
$2,740/year
$229/month
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-on options
Up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Why State Farm is the best overall company for most Texans
State Farm’s combination of excellent coverage options, industry-best financial strength ratings, and high scores for customer service with J.D. Power make it our top pick for best overall home insurance in Texas.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Best for high-value Texas homes: Chubb
Chubb
3.4
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
$2,201/year
$183/month
Chubb is a top-tier insurer ideal for high-value homes that need more robust coverage that goes beyond the run-of-the-mill options offered by traditional insurance companies.
Pros
Base policies include extended replacement cost coverage for your home
Why Chubb is the best home insurance company in Texas for high-value homes
Chubb is an excellent home insurance option for Texans who own home's valued at $1 million or more or have multiple properties or cars to insure. A base policy with Chubb includes enhanced coverage for both your home and your personal property, and you don’t need to pay a deductible on property damage greater than $50,000. That means if your home is leveled in a storm or destroyed by fire, you will not be financially responsible for any of the repair or rebuild costs.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Chubb
Best coverage options for Texas homeowners: Nationwide
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
$4,683/year
$390/month
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers numerous policy packages and coverage add-ons
Option to rebuild with stronger materials after a covered loss
Why Nationwide is the best company in Texas for coverage options
Nationwide is known for it's comprehensive policy options and numerous coverage add-ons, such as flood coverage and options to rebuild your roof with stronger materials after a covered loss, making Nationwide a smart choice if you live in a Texas area at risk for extreme weather or natural disasters. While Nationwide’s average home insurance rate of $4,683 is the most expensive in our top company analysis, it also has several discount options available that can trim those high costs.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Best for bundling home & auto insurance in Texas: Progressive
ASI Progressive
3.8
Policygenius rating
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
$2,821/year
$235/month
ASI Progressive offers robust home insurance coverage and ways to save. Our fave perk? Its bundling discount, which lets you save up to 20% on premiums and only requires you to pay one deductible if your home and car are damaged in the same event.
Pros
Save up to 20% when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Multiple available discounts
Bundling perks include single-deductible claims and streamlined bill payment
Why ASI Progressive is the best company in Texas for bundling home & auto insurance
We love ASI Progressive for its excellent home and auto insurance bundling perks. Insure both your home and car with ASI Progressive and you’ll not only score a huge discount, but you’ll only have to pay one deductible if your home and car are damaged in the same incident. This means if a tornado or hurricane knocks a tree over onto your home and car, you’ll only be on the hook for one deductible.
How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.
$2,720/year
$227/month
USAA's robust coverages and high marks for customer service and claims satisfaction make it a solid home insurance option for military members and their families.
Pros
Several discounts and perks for members of the armed forces
Comprehensive base policy
Industry-best customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Why USAA is the best company for Texas military families
USAA offers robust coverage and is known for its great customer service and claims satisfaction. While USAA policies are only available to military members and their families, Texas has one of the largest active duty military populations in the country, making USAA a great option for many residents.
How to get a quote
Online through USAA
How much is homeowners insurance in Texas?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Texas is $3,080 per year, or roughly $257 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is around 62% higher than the nationwide average of $1,899.
In a state like Texas, premiums are higher in large part due to the outsized risk of natural disasters in certain areas. As hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail continue to worsen and cause extensive damage to homes all over the state, insurance companies account for this by charging higher rates.
UPDATE: Home insurance premiums up 16% in Texas
Home insurance premiums in Texas increased 16% from May 2021 to May 2022, according to our latest analysis of internal policyholder data. This is due to a mix of rising inflation, labor shortages, and severe natural disasters that have plagued the state in recent years.
Home insurance costs in Texas can vary substantially depending on where you live. Cities with a high risk of natural disasters such flooding or extreme weather conditions will likely have higher average home insurance rates.
Here's a look at the average cost of home insurance in the largest cities in Texas.
Your homeowners insurance premiums will vary depending on both your company and how much dwelling coverage you need to protect your home from serious weather damage. You'll want your dwelling coverage limit is higher than or equal to your home's replacement cost, or the cost to rebuild in the event of a disaster.
The table below shows each Texas companies' average annual premium for different dwelling coverage limits.
The cheapest homeowners insurance in Texas for high-risk homes
Click on each section below to find out which Texas companies offer the cheapest home insurance for homeowners with with low credit scores, recent claims, older properties, and other factors that insurers consider high risk.
Once you’re ready to shop, a Policygenius expert can help you navigate your coverage needs and help you find the best deal on homeowners insurance in Texas.
Average homeowners insurance cost in Texas by risk scenario
Cheapest Texas home insurance if you have poor credit
Generally, individuals with better credit scores enjoy lower home insurance premiums. Insurance companies have found that customers with lower credit scores are more likely to file claims for small losses, like a pipe leak, since they may not be in a financial position to pay for these damages out of pocket.
Here's the cheapest homeowners insurance in Texas for a homeowner with poor credit.
Company
Average annual rate
% difference from average
Lighthouse Property Insurance
$1,353
-313%
USAA
$3,305
-69%
Texas FAIR Plan
$3,964
-41%
State Farm
$4,711
-19%
Mercury
$4,944
-13%
Nationwide
$5,734
3%
Chubb
$6,031
7%
AmGuard
$6,204
10%
UPC Insurance
$6,660
16%
Amica
$6,671
16%
ASI Progressive
$6,713
17%
IAT Insurance
$10,741
48%
Cheapest Texas home insurance if you have a history of claims
One of the biggest factors that plays a role in your home insurance premium is your claims history. You'll typically pay more for home insurance if you have multiple claims on your record, since insurers perceive you as posing a greater risk of filing more.
Here's the cheapest home insurance companies in Texas for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period:
Company
Average annual rate
% difference from average
Lighthouse Property Insurance
$2,043
-166%
Chubb
$2,437
-123%
USAA
$3,004
-81%
ASI Progressive
$4,044
-34%
AmGuard
$5,406
-1%
Mercury
$5,656
4%
Texas FAIR Plan
$6,231
13%
IAT Insurance
$6,340
14%
Nationwide
$6,719
19%
UPC Insurance
$8,134
33%
Amica
$9,755
44%
Cheapest Texas home insurance for older homes
The median age of homes in Texas is 33 years old, according to an analysis of U.S. census data by House Method. And like everything else, the age of your home plays a role in how much you pay for home insurance in Texas.
Older and historic homes are usually more expensive to insure than newer homes. This is because insurers consider them a higher risk than newer homes since they can be fragile, their construction materials may be obsolete, and certain structural components like the roof or plumbing may not be in good shape or up to current-day code. Because of this, they'll charge higher premiums to offset the risk.
Here's the cheapest home insurance in Texas for a home that's over 100 years old:
Company
Average annual rate
% difference from average
ASI Progressive
$2,545
-47%
USAA
$2,679
-39%
State Farm
$2,740
-36%
Mercury
$2,911
-28%
UPC Insurance
$3,798
2%
IAT Insurance
$4,143
10%
Nationwide
$4,167
10%
AmGuard
$4,534
18%
Amica
$6,098
39%
Cheapest Texas home insurance for roofs 20+ years old
Insurance companies place a lot of importance on your roof's condition when determining your home insurance rates. In general, the older your roof, the more likely you are to file a claim and the higher your home insurance rates will be.
Here's the average annual rate for homeowners insurance in Texas for a home with a 30-year-old roof:
Company
Average annual rate
% difference from average
USAA
$2,725
-57%
Mercury
$2,896
-47%
Nationwide
$4,698
9%
UPC Insurance
$5,266
19%
Amica
$5,767
26%
How to buy homeowners insurance in Texas
With so many insurance options for homeowners in Texas, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right company and policy that best suits your needs. Because of the potential for extreme weather events in Texas like wind, hurricanes, and flooding, it’s important to get a policy that will work when you need it most.
6 steps to shopping for homeowners insurance in Texas
Follow these steps to compare home insurance companies and find the best policy for your unique needs.
1. Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts can help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price — all for free with no impact to your credit score.
2. Ask about a Texas FAIR Plan option. If you live in an area of the Longhorn State that’s at high risk of extreme weather and you’re struggling to find coverage through a traditional company, ask your Policygenius agent if a policy through the Texas FAIR Plan might make sense for you. It was “established by the Texas Legislature to provide essential property insurance for eligible Texas policyholders when no one else will," according to the Texas Fair Plan Association website.
3. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Standard home insurance policies don’t cover flooding, so you might want to add flood coverage or purchase a separate flood insurance policy to make sure you’re fully protected. A Policygenius agent can help you do this, too.
4. Figure out how low of a deductible you can afford. Since homeowners in Texas have different deductible amounts that you can choose from, you’ll want to consider how often you’ll need to file a claim and how much you’d be able to afford to pay out of pocket in the event of a loss.
5. Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve nailed down your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will walk you through quotes from a few different companies to help you find the best policy for your needs.
6. Sign the policy and pay your first premium. After you’ve chosen the policy you want, your Policygenius agent will complete all of the paperwork for you. The only thing left to do is sign the policy and pay your first premium. They’ll even cancel your old policy for you if it’s not up yet.
3 home insurance coverage options to consider in Texas
When you buy homeowners insurance in Texas, there are three additional coverage options you may need to consider to protect against the state’s frequent natural disasters.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
In many areas of Texas prone to tornadoes or hurricanes, many insurance policies have a wind and hail exclusion, meaning insurers won’t cover repairs to property damaged by wind or hail. Since going without this coverage is a huge gamble, many Texas homeowners purchase additional windstorm insurance through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to fill this important gap in coverage.
Texas counties eligible for TWIA insurance policies
The TWIA offers windstorm insurance in 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County. To qualify for a TWIA policy, applicants must show proof of being denied coverage by at least one insurance company.
Aransas
Brazoria
Calhoun
Cameron
Chambers
Galveston
Harris
Jefferson
Kenedy
Kleberg
Matagorda
Nueces
Refugio
San Patricio
Willacy
If you need to get a TWIA policy, be sure you get coverage in advance of the Texas hurricane season, as it's not uncommon for insurance companies to put a moratorium on coverage in advance of a tropical storm.
Wind mitigation discounts & incentives in Texas
Many home insurance companies offer wind mitigation discounts if your home is outfitted with features to withstand high winds and flooding caused by a hurricane or strong windstorm. In Texas, you can save on premiums by installing Fortified Roof and Fortified Home elements to your home. You can also score discounts for opening protection, wind-resistant construction, and secondary water barriers to reduce windstorm damage where you live.
Other incentives include the Homeowner Assistance Program, whichHelps homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey repair, rebuild, improve, or elevate their home, along with temporary housing until the work is complete.
Homeowners insurance does not cover water damage caused by flooding in Texas or any of the other 49 states. So if your house is one of the approximately 700,000 in Texas at extreme risk of flooding, you’ll want to consider purchasing flood insurance. [1] [2] The average cost of flood insurance in Texas through the National Flood Insurance Program is $676 per year, making the Lone Star State one of the cheapest in the country for flood insurance.
Most home insurance providers in Texas offer NFIP flood insurance as a separate policy. but some companies also offer their own private flood insurance or flood insurance add-ons that you can add to your home insurance for an additional fee.
In addition to hurricanes and tornadoes, Texas also experiences many wildfires. Texas has the second most properties at risk of wildfire damage of any U.S. state — only California has more, according to Verisk Analytics. [3] If you live in a wildfire-prone region of Texas, be sure you have enough dwelling coverage to fully replace your home in the event of a disaster and consider adding extended replacement or guaranteed replacement cost coverage to your policy.
With its proximity to the Gulf Coast and Tornado Alley, Texas homeowners have a string of natural disasters to ensure their homes are covered against. Here are some of the most common causes of home insurance claims in Texas to protect your biggest investment against.
Hurricanes: With over 64 hurricanes making landfall in Texas since 1854, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), hurricanes are one of the leading causes of home insurance claims in the Lone Star State. [4]
Wind: Texas experiences the most tornadoes of any other state in the U.S. — averaging 136 twisters per year — according to the NOAA. [5] The corresponding high number of wind claims made by Texas homeowners is just another reason why adding windstorm coverage to your home insurance policy is a good idea.
Hail: The Lone Star State topped the list of states with the most properties affected by hail in 2021, according to Verisk's Hail Report of 2022. [6] Texas saw 1.6 million properties pummeled with hailstones, leading to many roof damage claims.
Lightning: Texas ranks third for the most lightning-caused home insurance claims filed in 2020, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). [7] This makes fire insurance an essential supplementary coverage for homeowners in the Lone Star State.
Wildfires: Texas is just behind California in the top 10 list of states with the most wildfires and acres burned in 2021, according to the Insurance Information Institute. [8]
Flooding: While most Texas homes are in flood zones with a moderate to low risk of flooding, around 25% of all flood insurance claims come from these areas, according to FEMA. [9] This is why flood insurance is another endorsement you should strongly consider adding to your home insurance policy.
Thinking of moving to Texas? Here are the best places to buy a house.
Whether you're thinking of moving to The Lone Star State or investing in Texas real estate, we did the work for you by compiling the 15 best cities to buy a house in Texas based on typical home values, home value appreciation, the vitality of the rental market, and more.
Among the towns and cities that top our list include Waco, Garland, Brownsville, Grand Prairie, and Dallas. You can read our full report of the best places to buy a home in Texas here.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest home insurance company in Texas?
The cheapest home insurance company in Texas for $300,000 in dwelling coverage is Farmers, with an average rate of $484 per year, according to our analysis of 2022 rate data.
Home insurance is expensive in Texas because the state is at high risk for severe weather damage due to hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, flooding, and even snow storms. Since there’s a higher change of homeowners filing a claim, insurance companies charge higher rates to account for the added risk.
How can I lower my homeowners insurance in Texas?
You can lower your homeowners insurance in Texas by taking advantage of discounts offered through your home insurance company. This might mean bundling your home and auto policies together for discounts off your premiums, or opting into a retiree discount if you’re over 55, depending on what your company offers. Another way to lower your homeowners insurance rates is by opting for a higher deductible. Just keep in mind a higher deductible means you’ll have to pay more money out of pocket when you file a claim before your insurance kicks in.
Who has the best home insurance in Texas?
There's no one "best" home insurance company in Texas — it will vary depending on your coverage needs, where you live, and your priorities when it comes to cost, customer service, and claims. That's why the easiest way to find the "best" home insurance company for you is to compare quotes from multiple companies. Our licensed agents at Policygenius can help you do that here.
References
Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of our
Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.
Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
