How to lower your home insurance cost in Texas

By the BillAnswers team · Updated October 20, 2026 · How we check facts

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says to shop around, starting with sample rates on HelpInsure.com, and to shop at least every three years. Ask each company about the discounts TDI lists, such as monitored alarms, newer or damage-resistant roofs, claim-free years and bundling, and know that a higher deductible lowers the premium but raises what you pay on a claim. If at least two companies turn you down, the Texas FAIR Plan is the state's insurer of last resort.

The short answer

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) gives four levers: compare companies, ask for discounts, choose your deductible with care, and keep your home safe and your credit in order. TDI says: "It's a good idea to shop at least every three years," and "You often get the best rates when you're willing to switch companies."

BillAnswers is not an insurance agent and gives no insurance advice. This page reports what TDI, HelpInsure.com and the Texas FAIR Plan Association say. We list no rates and recommend no company.

Step 1: compare on HelpInsure.com, then get real quotes

HelpInsure.com is "brought to you by the Texas Department of Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel." You answer a few questions and it shows policies sold in your area, their rates and coverage types. Its FAQ explains that the rates are for set scenarios, so you pick the option closest to your home, and the site says results are for informational purposes only.

TDI's shopping checklist then gives these steps:

1. Get price quotes from several companies using HelpInsure.com.
2. Contact your top choices for actual quotes, and compare them on TDI's policy worksheet.
3. Look up each company's complaint record.
4. Make sure the company is licensed. TDI's Help Line, 800-252-3439, can check a license and complaint history.
5. Don't cancel your current policy until you get the new policy or a written statement that proves you have coverage.

Step 2: ask for every discount TDI lists

TDI's discount page (last updated December 18, 2025) names these:

TDI adds that companies might also offer discounts if you've been with them for a while, have smart devices in your home, or are in the military or certain other groups. Ask each company which ones it offers.

Step 3: understand the deductible before you raise it

TDI defines a deductible as "the amount you have to pay before the insurance company will pay." For home policies, it applies to each claim. TDI says that in general, the higher the deductible, the lower the cost of the policy, and that moving from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible can save as much as 20 percent on premium payments.

Watch percentage deductibles. A deductible can be a dollar amount or a percentage, so TDI says to find out what the percentage means in dollars. TDI's example: for a home insured for $150,000, a 5 percent deductible is $7,500. If hail causes $6,500 in roof damage, that policy pays nothing, while a policy with a $500 deductible pays $6,000.

TDI also warns that filing small claims may affect how much you pay for insurance later.

Step 4: don't cut coverage you will need

TDI notes that actual cash value policies cost less, but they also pay less when you have a claim, because they subtract for age and condition. Its home insurance guide says that to be fully protected, your policy should have replacement cost coverage, and that most home policies don't cover flood damage. Flood coverage comes from your insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program, usually with a 30-day waiting period. On the coast and in parts of Harris County, your home policy might not cover wind and hail; the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) sells that coverage through local agents.

Step 5: safety and credit

TDI asks: "Do you lock your doors and keep your yard and house maintained?" It also says most insurance companies use your credit history to help decide whether to sell you insurance and what it costs.

If no company will insure you: the Texas FAIR Plan

The Texas FAIR Plan Association (TFPA) says it "was established by the Texas Legislature to provide essential property insurance for eligible Texas property owners when no one else will," and that it does not compete with the private market. What it says about eligibility and coverage:

• Applicants must have been denied coverage by at least two insurance companies.
• You are not eligible if you already have a current homeowners or other property policy.
• A policyholder must reapply for coverage in the voluntary market every two years.
• In the designated catastrophe area (14 coastal counties and part of Harris County), TFPA may not provide windstorm and hail coverage, so you may need both a TFPA and a TWIA policy.
• TFPA dwelling policies pay actual cash value; its homeowners policy may be endorsed for replacement cost if the home is insured for 100 percent of its replacement cost value.
• To apply, TFPA says to start with a licensed agent.

Check the agent's license

TDI's agent lookup page says to use the Customer Inquiry form on Sircon.com to look up an agent or adjuster by name or license number. It shows the agent's contact details, the lines of insurance they sell and the companies they have worked for.

Renting instead? See is renters insurance required in Texas. Moving in? The full list of deadlines is in the moving to Texas checklist.

Last updated: October 20, 2026