Texas is known for cowboy culture, and county music and is the second-most populous state in America, but it’s also known for being one of the most hurricane-prone states. With its long coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, the coastal towns along the Texas coast are especially vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
However, flooding and high wind can also make their way far inland, so it’s essential to be prepared for a major hurricane, no matter where you live in the lone star state.
That means having an emergency plan in place and knowing what insurance coverage you’ll need to protect your home and belongings.
In this guide, our expert TX Insurance agents will cover everything you need to know about hurricane and windstorm insurance in Texas.
What is Hurricane Insurance?
Texas hurricane insurance protects one of your most important investments – your home. A standard homeowners insurance policies include some coverage for wind and hail damage, but the trouble is there is no one-size-fits-all policy when it comes to hurricanes in Texas.
Because hurricane insurance is not specific, it generally includes package policies covering different perils, like windstorm damage, flooding, and content coverage. Together, these different types of coverage make up a hurricane insurance policy and can help you repair or rebuild your home and replace your belongings if they’re damaged or destroyed by a hurricane.
Insurance Requirements in Texas
Since hurricane insurance is not a standalone policy, Texas law does not require homeowners to have one.
However, if you have a mortgage on your home, homeowners, flood, and windstorm insurance are usually required by your lender, especially if you live in a high-risk area.
Homeowners Insurance
Having a basic homeowners insurance policy is a smart idea no matter where you live. But if you live in Texas, where hurricanes are a real threat, it’s a must.
However, it’s important to understand that a standard homeowners insurance policy will not be enough since it does not give coverage for high-speed wind and flooding that is generally associated with a hurricane.
You may need to purchase additional coverage or endorsements to your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure you’re fully protected from wind storms and flood damage.
Flood Insurance Coverage
If you live in coastal Texas, storm surge is always a concern. Inland, where hurricanes can cause heavy rains and flash flooding, it’s also a significant risk. Despite this, only about 6% of homeowners in Texas have flood insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
That’s because most standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. So if you want to be protected from storm surges or flooding, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy specifically designed to cover the damage caused by rising water.
Flood insurance can be easily bought through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from Texas’s reliable private insurance providers.
Windstorm Insurance
If you live in Harlingen, Brownsville, or another coastal town in Texas, where hurricanes are more common, you’re probably familiar with the term “windstorm insurance.” It’s a type of hurricane insurance that specifically covers damage caused by high winds, like those generated by a hurricane.
In Texas, windstorm insurance is offered through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), the state’s insurer of last resort. You can also buy a windstorm insurance policy from a private insurer, but it’s important to note that not all companies offer this type of coverage.
Windstorm insurance covers damage to your home, detached structures on your property, and personal belongings inside your home. It may also cover water damage if your roof is damaged by high winds and rainwater leaks in as a result.
However, it is best to review your policy carefully to see what isn’t covered, as there may be some exclusions.
Read here to know in detail how windstorm insurance works.
What Texas Hurricane Insurance Covers
Your hurricane coverage depends on the type of policy you purchase. Most Homeowners insurance in Texas includes some level of windstorm and flooding protection, but the amount of coverage may be limited to:
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
- Home and attached structures
- Detached structures, like a garage or shed
- Your contents, like furniture, clothing, and electronics
- Living expenses if your home is uninhabitable
- Loss of use coverage may reimburse you for additional living expenses, like a hotel room, if a hurricane damages your home and you need to live elsewhere while it’s being repaired.
However, adding flood and windstorm insurance to your homeowner’s insurance policy will give you the most comprehensive protection to ensure you’re entirely covered in the event of a hurricane.
How Hurricane Insurance Works
If you have only homeowners insurance in Texas, you may not have enough coverage to repair or rebuild your Corpus Christi home if it’s seriously damaged or destroyed by a hurricane. Furthermore, if you don’t carry high enough deductibles, you may have to pay out of pocket for hurricane repairs.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program, the average residential claim from Hurricane Harvey that made a 2017 landfall in Texas was $97,000. Still, the average flood claim was much higher at $117,000.
Without adequate flood and windstorm insurance, you could be left with an enormous repair bill and no way to pay for it.
That’s why it’s important to ensure you have the right coverage, i.e., Homeowners insurance with additional flood and windstorm insurance in place before a storm hits.
If you wait until after a hurricane is on its way, it may be too late to purchase or increase your coverage. Most insurers stop selling or growing policies once a hurricane watch or warning has been issued for your area.
Policy Deductibles
All three policy types will have a deductible, which is the amount you’ll need to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. The amount may vary depending on the type of policy and the insurer, but it’s typically a percentage of your home’s value.
- Windstorms: This applies to hurricanes, windstorms, typhoons, and cyclones.
- Named storms: This applies to storms that the National Weather Service has given a name.
- Hurricanes: This can happen when storm wind speeds reach a certain threshold, typically 74 mph.
Your homeowner’s insurance deductible is typically a flat rate, such as $500 or $1,000. But your windstorm and flood deductibles are usually a percentage of your home’s insured value, such as 2% or 5%. In addition, hurricane deductibles can be even higher in some coastal areas where storms pose a greater risk.
Also, remember that you need to file a separate claim for each type of disaster. For example:
- If the hurricane causes fire damage, you’ll need to file a claim for your homeowner’s insurance and a separate claim for your windstorm policy.
- A claim for flood damage would need to be filed separately through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
It may seem overwhelming, but it’s essential to understand your coverage, so you know what to expect if your home is damaged or destroyed by a hurricane.
If you have any questions about your policy, contact your insurer or agent. They can help you understand your coverage and what it will and won’t pay for in the event of a hurricane.
How Much Does Hurricane Insurance Cost in Texas?
Hurricane insurance combines homeowners insurance and windstorm or named storm insurance. The cost of hurricane insurance depends on many factors, including the value of your home, the age and location of your home, the type of construction, and the deductibles you choose.
Though it may seem like a high cost, remember that hurricane insurance is there to protect your most valuable asset – your home. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re adequately insured is worth the cost.
If you’re looking for ways to save on hurricane insurance, consider raising your deductibles and shopping around for the best rates.
You can also get discounts by installing hurricane-resistant features on your homes, such as impact-resistant windows and doors, or by bundling your hurricane insurance with other types of insurance, such as auto or life insurance.
Getting Hurricane Insurance in Texas
Getting hurricane insurance can be complicated, depending on where you live and what type of coverage you need.
The best place to start is to talk with your existing homeowner’s insurance agent or company. If you do not have homeowners insurance, TX Insurance Quotes can help you find coverage that meets your needs.
Our licensed agents are experts in Texas hurricane insurance and can help you understand your options and find the best coverage for your home and budget. We offer free homeowners insurance quotes and other required quotes from multiple insurers, so you can compare rates and coverage to find the best deal.
So, do not wait until a hurricane is on its way to get hurricane insurance. Instead, get a quote today and be prepared for whatever comes your way.
