Why one home is not like another
Two houses on the same street can have wildly different insurance needs. Roof age, electrical system, plumbing material, foundation type, distance to a fire hydrant, wildfire-interface exposure, and prior claims history all change the right policy — and the right carrier. The cheapest premium for a 1972 home with a 22-year-old roof is rarely the policy that actually pays a claim.
What a complete homeowners policy covers
- Dwelling (Coverage A) — the structure itself, on a replacement-cost basis.
- Other structures (Coverage B) — detached garages, fences, sheds, gazebos.
- Personal property (Coverage C) — furniture, electronics, clothing, and contents.
- Loss of use (Coverage D) — hotel, meals, and additional living expenses while your home is uninhabitable.
- Personal liability (Coverage E) — injury to others or damage to their property.
- Medical payments to others (Coverage F) — no-fault medical for guests injured on your property.
Texas-specific add-ons worth considering
- Windstorm and hail — coastal counties often require this as a separate endorsement or TWIA policy.
- Flood insurance — standard homeowners policies exclude flood; we write NFIP and private flood across all flood zones.
- Foundation and slab — Texas soil movement is a regional reality; specific endorsements add coverage.
- Sewer backup & sump overflow — common, almost never covered by default.
- Scheduled personal property — jewelry, watches, art, firearms, collectibles above standard sub-limits.
- Identity theft restoration — recovery services and out-of-pocket reimbursement.
- Equipment breakdown — HVAC, well pumps, electronics, appliances.
How premiums are calculated
Carriers price homeowners on dozens of factors, but the major ones are: replacement cost (not market value), construction type, roof age and type, distance to fire services, prior claim history, credit-based insurance score, and your chosen deductible structure. Texas wind and hail deductibles are often percentage-based (1–5% of dwelling) and meaningfully change the premium.
Protect your financial assets, not just the house
Home liability is what protects you when a guest is injured, a dog bites a delivery driver, or a child is hurt in your pool. Default limits ($100K–$300K) are often too low for homeowners with meaningful net worth. We routinely pair home insurance with a personal umbrella policy ($1M+ in additional liability) for surprisingly little additional premium.
Frequently asked questions
Does standard homeowners cover flood?
No — and this catches many homeowners. Even outside FEMA flood zones, water from rising water (creek, storm surge, accumulated rain) requires a separate flood policy. We can write NFIP or private flood for any Texas zip code.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Replacement cost, not market value. A $400,000 market home may have a $310,000 rebuild cost — or vice versa. We use carrier estimating tools and your home's actual specs to get the figure right, then re-check it at every renewal.
Will my premium go up if I file a small claim?
Often yes — and sometimes for years. We help you decide whether a borderline claim is worth filing, factoring your deductible, the long-term premium effect, and your carrier's policies on non-renewal.
What about renovations and home additions?
Notify us before construction starts. Most policies require advance notice for renovations above a threshold; some require a separate builders' risk policy for the duration of the work.
Can I bundle home and auto?
Yes — and you usually should. Bundling typically saves 10–25% and reduces deductible exposure during single events (like hail) that damage both home and vehicles.