Texas home insurance nonrenewal: what to do next

Texas notice rules

Texas Insurance Code chapter 551 sets the rules for homeowners policies from licensed insurers. Under section 551.105, an insurer must renew at your request unless it mailed written notice of nonrenewal at least 60 days before the policy expires. The 60-day rule applies to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2024. TDI notes that policies bought or renewed in 2023 or earlier had 30 days.

Cancellation during the policy term is limited to nonpayment, a fraudulent claim, a TDI finding that keeping the policy would break the law, or an increase in hazard within your control. Cancellation takes effect no sooner than the 10th day after notice is mailed.

You get the reason in writing

Under HB 2067 (2025), for policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, the company must give you a written statement of why it declined, canceled or did not renew your policy. The statement must name the precise incident, circumstance or risk factor and where the information came from. Use it as a to-do list when you shop.

Claims and nonrenewal

A Texas insurer may refuse to renew if you filed three or more claims in three years, but weather claims, unpaid claims and certain appliance-related claims do not count. The insurer must also have warned you in writing after your second claim. If it did not, it cannot nonrenew you for claims. And it cannot drop you just because you called with a question that did not become a claim.

Roof age alone is not a reason

TDI said on September 29, 2026, that its rule makes clear companies cannot decline or nonrenew a home policy simply because the house or its roof, wiring, plumbing, heating, air conditioning or siding is older. They can still base decisions on physical condition. If your reason is roof age, get a written roof inspection. See our roof-age rules guide.

The Texas FAIR Plan

The Texas FAIR Plan Association sells basic home insurance statewide. According to TDI, you can apply if two insurance companies have turned you down, and you will not qualify if a company has offered you a policy or renewal. You apply through a licensed agent. TDI also lists the FAIR Plan's number as (800) 979-6440.

TWIA on the coast

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association sells wind and hail coverage to residents of 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146 who have been turned down by an insurer. Coastal homeowners often need both a FAIR Plan or private policy, with a wind and hail exclusion, and a TWIA policy. TWIA generally requires a windstorm certificate of compliance, such as a WPI-8, for the building. TDI warns you cannot get a TWIA policy when a hurricane is in the Gulf, so do not wait.

Discounts for protecting your home

Each Texas insurer sets its own discounts. TDI lists options like impact-resistant roofing, monitored alarms and sprinklers, and no claims for three years. In September 2026, TDI urged insurers to give discounts for homes built or retrofitted to standards like IBHS FORTIFIED. Ask every agent which discounts apply.

A sensible order of steps

1. Read the written reason.
2. Get sample rates on HelpInsure.com, a site from TDI and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.
3. Call independent agents. About 160 companies sell home coverage in Texas, according to TDI.
4. Collect two declinations if you need the FAIR Plan.
5. On the coast, line up TWIA before storm season.
6. Tell your lender before the policy lapses.

Check your wind and hail deductible

Many Texas policies have a separate wind and hail deductible, sometimes a percentage of your dwelling coverage. TDI's example: on a $150,000 home, a 5 percent deductible is $7,500, so a $6,500 hail repair would pay nothing. Compare deductibles, not just premiums.

Flood is separate

Most home policies, and TWIA policies, do not cover flood. Check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and get a flood quote.

When to call TDI

Call the TDI Help Line at (800) 252-3439 if your notice came late, has no written reason, or relies on claims that should not count. To talk through replacement options, call us.

Not sure what your letter says? Use the notice decoder. Roof the problem? Read roof-age rules. Other states: all state guides.

Sources

• Texas Insurance Code chapter 551
• TDI, Was your home insurance canceled or not renewed?
• Texas Department of Insurance
• Texas FAIR Plan Association
• Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
• HelpInsure.com