Texas home insurance quote checklist

About the house

• Address, year built, square footage and construction (TDI notes brick and stone typically cost less to insure than all-wood).
• Roof: year installed, material, and any impact-resistant rating, with the invoice if you have it.
• Year of plumbing, electrical and HVAC updates.
• Discount items TDI lists as common: a monitored burglar or fire alarm, a sprinkler system, an impact-resistant roof, a newer home in good condition, other policies with the same company, and no claims for three years.
• Risk items to disclose: pool, trampoline, dog, home business or short-term rental use.

Your claims history (CLUE report)

TDI says most insurers check the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE), which shows seven years of claims on you and on the house, even under past owners. You can get a free copy each year from LexisNexis at 866-312-8076 and challenge errors. Only filed claims can be reported, and Texas law bars insurers from counting a simple coverage inquiry against you.

Location: flood zone and coast

• Flood zone: look up your address on FEMA's flood map. Your lender requires flood insurance in a designated flood zone.
• Coast: if you live on the Texas coast or in Harris County on Galveston Bay, TDI says your home policy might not cover wind and hail. Have your windstorm certificate of compliance (WPI-8 or WPI-8-E, issued by TDI) ready.
• TWIA flood rule: if the home is in a V zone and was built or altered on or after September 1, 2009, TWIA requires flood coverage.

Decide your coverage before you compare

Set the same terms for every quote or the prices won't mean much. TDI recommends replacement cost coverage and insuring the house for its full replacement cost; most companies require at least 80%, some 100%.

• Dwelling limit based on rebuild cost, not market value.
• Roof valuation: replacement cost or actual cash value.
• Deductibles: all-other-perils and wind and hail, converted to dollars.
• Personal property limit and whether it's replacement cost.
• Liability limit, plus whether you want an umbrella.
• Endorsements: foundation or slab, sewer and drain backup, code upgrade, extended replacement cost, mold.

All risk or named peril

This is the biggest difference between policy forms, and two quotes can look similar on price while covering very different things. TDI explains that all-risk (open perils) policies cover anything not specifically excluded, while named-peril policies cover only the listed events. Named-peril policies cost less but can leave gaps, and TDI notes lenders usually require all-risk coverage. Check the "Perils Insured Against" section of each quote's sample policy.

Compare with Texas tools

Texas has free, state-run tools that national comparison sites don't:

• TDI's HelpInsure.com shows sample prices and discounts by company.
• OPIC's Policy Comparison Tool shows what's covered and what isn't across homeowners, condo and renters policy forms.
• TDI's Help Line (800-252-3439) and online lookup confirm a company or agent is licensed.

Switching from another policy

Line up the new policy's start date with the old one's end date, or cancel the old policy effective the day the new one starts. TDI says that when a policy is canceled, by you or the company, the insurer must refund unearned premium within 15 days. If you pay through escrow, tell your mortgage company about the change so it pays the right insurer.

Questions to ask before you buy

Don't cancel your current policy until the new one is in force. Since September 1, 2025, an insurer can't make a home policy contingent on buying your auto insurance from it, or the reverse (Section 551.254). Choosing to bundle is still up to you.

• At what roof age does coverage change to actual cash value?
• Is there a separate water damage limit or deductible?
• What's the additional living expense limit? TDI says 10% to 20% of dwelling coverage is common.
• Will an inspection be required, and what happens if it finds issues?
• When does coverage start, and can I get a written binder for my lender?