Texas risk guide
Central Texas sees hail, flash floods, hard freezes and wildfire, sometimes in the same year. Here's what to check in your policy before the next one.
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Hail and wind
Many Texas home policies use a separate wind and hail deductible, set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage instead of a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home, a 2% deductible is $8,000.
- Find your wind and hail deductible on your declarations page.
- Check whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or depreciated value, and whether cosmetic damage is excluded.
- Photograph your roof each spring so you have a record of its condition.
- Hail damage to cars is covered under comprehensive, not liability-only auto policies.
After a storm, be careful with door-to-door roofers. Texas law prohibits contractors from offering to pay or waive your deductible.
Flood
The Hill Country is known as Flash Flood Alley. Homeowners, renters and business property policies don't cover rising water, no matter where you live.
- Flood insurance is a separate policy, through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier.
- NFIP policies generally take 30 days to start, so buy before storm season, not during it.
- You don't need to be in a high-risk flood zone to buy it, and premiums outside those zones are often modest.
- Cars damaged by flood water are covered under comprehensive auto coverage.
Freeze
Winter storms like the February 2021 freeze showed how much damage burst pipes can do. Sudden water damage from a burst pipe is usually covered; damage from long-term leaks or an unheated vacant home often isn't.
- Know where your main water shutoff is and how to close it.
- Insulate exposed pipes and drip faucets during hard freezes.
- If you travel in winter, keep the heat on and have someone check the house.
- Ask us whether your policy covers water backup from drains, a common add-on.
Wildfire
Drought and fast growth into the brush around Leander, Cedar Park and the Hill Country raise wildfire risk. Fire is covered by home policies; the question is whether you have enough coverage to rebuild.
- Make sure your dwelling limit reflects today's construction costs.
- Keep a home inventory: a video walkthrough stored in the cloud works.
- Clear dry brush and debris within 30 feet of the house.
- Check your loss-of-use coverage for living expenses during a rebuild.
For businesses
The same storms can shut down a business for weeks. Ask us about business interruption, equipment breakdown and flood coverage for your building and inventory.