Texas Homeowners Insurance Rates

In many places, including Texas, homeowners insurance rates are often the term used when people are really talking about homeowners insurance premiums. In reality, ratings have more to do with the risk categories you fall into and your rating will then determine the premium you pay.

You and your neighbor may have the same Texas homeowners insurance rates, but pay different premiums. The deductible you choose for your policy, how much coverage you need to adequately replace your home in the case of loss and the kind of policy you take out will ultimately make the difference when it comes to your premium. However, if you take care of the factors that affect your homeowners insurance rates in Texas, it will lead to lower premiums!

For homeowners insurance rates, TX residents are evaluated on a variety of things. Insurance companies look at the risks involved in the area in which you live. Statistics based on claims and disasters that have occurred in the past, in your part of the country, are starting points for underwriters looking to give you a rating. It is all about the probability of you suffering a loss and needing to make a claim under your homeowners insurance policy.

How Texas Homeowners Insurance Rates Are Determined

Things that may affect your TX homeowners insurance rates include:

1. Living in the country versus the city.
2. Whether you live in a coastal area or inland area.
3. Your area’s weather history such as how often you are hit by heavy storms.
4. Whether the homes in your area are close together or further apart.
5. How homes in your area are typically built: brick, concrete, wood, etc.
6. If there is a fire station within a specified distance of your home.
7. If there is a police station within a specificed distance of your home.

These are factors that are impossible to change, short of moving to another home or even another area.

Controllable Factors Of Your Texas Homeowners Insurance Rates

There are however many controllable factors that also play havoc with your Texas homeowners insurance rates. Here are some things that you can do to lower your home insurance rates:

1. Having a functional multi-purpose fire extinguisher in your home.
2. Installing a smoke detector on each floor of your house.
3. Keeping your home in good repair both outside and in, to reduce the risk of someone being hurt on your property.
4. If you smoke or someone else in your home does, quit.
5. If your home is older and things such as the electric are not up to code, renovate it to make it so.
6. Install centrally-monitored security and fire alarm systems in your home to shorten response times.
7. Put deadbolts on all your exteriors doors and working locks on your windows.
8. Keep your roof in good condition and replace it as necessary.
9. Do not make a claim against your policy unless you really need to. Using it as a way to maintain your home or making small frivolous claims will inevitably cause your rate to increase.

Actions to Reduce Your Texas Homeowners Insurance Rates

Other things can be done to keep yourself safe from loss and may potentially reduce your TX home insurance rates, if not now then at some time in the future. Here are some additional steps that you can take to put yourself in position to find the absolute best Texas home insurance rates:

1. Keep your exterior home well-lit and use motion detected lighting.
2. Cut bushes, shrubs and trees near your home, which could provide hiding places for thieves or even easy access to windows or second floors.
3. Mark your personal possessions with an identifying number to help recovery, should they be stolen.
4. Empty your car when you park it of things that may be enticing to thieves, especially purses, wallets, CDs, DVD players and anything else of value.
5. Park your car near your house to discourage theft.
6. Try to organize your neighbors into a Neighborhood Watch group. Such things are looked at favorably by insurance companies and will also aid the police in solving crimes and getting stolen items back to their rightful owners.
7. Keep your yard neat and well cared for.
8. Repair anything that could pose a threat to potential visitors, like unstable handrails, uneven and broken sidewalks, trees and limbs that are likely to fall.

Compare Texas Homeowners Insurance Rates Now!

Be diligent in taking care of your home, so that it is a safe and protected place for your family. Make sure you are armed with knowledge about homeowners insurance, so you can get the best rates and premiums available.

Revisit your policy yearly to be sure that it covers you adequately, especially if there has been a jump in new home construction cost, which there often is. Understand your policy and what it covers, so that should the worst happen, you can give your family a home and possessions again without the financial hardship it would otherwise entail.

Check out our quote tool at the top of this page and get several Texas homeowners insurance rates in no time flat, to help your peace of mind. Get started finding Texas homeowners insurance now!