Homeowners Insurance in Houston, TX
Houston homes take a beating. Since 1980, the tri-county area has faced 26 federally declared disasters — eight of which occurred since 2015. Protecting your property isn’t optional; it’s essential.
Still, insurance needs vary by neighborhood. A home in The Heights won’t have the same risks as one in flood-prone Meyerland. If you live near the Gulf Coast or in a high-risk wind zone, you may need extra coverage for hurricanes and windstorms.
So how do you find the right homeowners insurance in Houston, especially when rates vary based on location and risk factors? Our guide below covers all things home insurance in Houston, so you can feel comfortable planting roots in the Space City.
How much is home insurance in Houston?
On average, homeowners insurance in Houston, Texas, costs $5,960 per year. That’s roughly $1,800 more than the Texas state average ($4,142) and more than double the national average ($2,601).
Here's a look at how average home insurance costs in Texas have changed over the past five years:
Year | Average annual premium in Texas |
|---|---|
2024 | $4,142 |
2023 | $3,844 |
2022 | $3,411 |
2021 | $2,146 |
2020 | $2,000 |
*Data retrieved from Insurance.com, Insure.com, and III.org. This table represents average home insurance rates for Texas as a whole. Houston homeowners insurance rates may be higher or lower based on your location, property details, and other risks.
Since prices vary by location, comparing home insurance quotes in Houston from multiple companies is the best way to find an affordable policy.
The average homeowners insurance in Houston costs $4,142 per year. For this price, you could buy season tickets to see the Houston Texans play for almost two years!
What factors influence my home insurance rate?
Several factors determine how much you’ll pay for home insurance in Houston, Texas. The biggest ones are location, home characteristics, weather risks, and coverage choices.
Location
- Where you live can greatly impact your average home insurance costs in Houston.
- Flood zones like Meyerland and Kingwood could have higher rates due to water damage risks.
- Coastal areas often require extra windstorm coverage, which could increase costs.
- Living in a city also comes with inherent risks, like package theft and other petty crimes. High-crime neighborhoods may face higher premiums.
Your home’s characteristics
- Older homes tend to cost more to insure.
- Homes built before modern building codes often need expensive repairs after storms.
- Newer homes with wind-resistant roofs may qualify for lower rates.
- Larger or high-value homes might need more coverage, which could increase premiums.
Weather risks
- Houston is an affordable city to own a home in compared to other metro areas in the nation, but residents should be mindful of its proximity to the Gulf Coast.
- Hurricanes, hailstorms, and tornadoes could drive up rates due to frequent claims.
- Hurricane season lasts from June through November, so flood insurance could be a valuable safeguard to protect your family from catastrophic loss.
Coverage choices
- The more coverage you choose, the more you’ll typically pay.
- Higher coverage limits generally mean better protection but also higher costs.
- A higher homeowners insurance deductible may lower your premium but could lead to higher out-of-pocket costs if you file a claim.
- Insurance riders for sewer backups, mold, or foundation repairs provide extra protection but may come with added costs.
Common insurance discounts in Houston
Houstonians may use several home insurance discounts to lower premiums. While not all insurers offer the same deals, here are some of the most common ways to lower home insurance rates in Houston:
- Home safety discounts. Installing impact-resistant roofing, storm shutters, or reinforced windows may qualify you for discounts. Similarly, homes with alarm systems, deadbolts, and smoke detectors often get lower rates.
- Bundling discounts. Combining home and auto insurance with the same provider could save up to 25% in some cases.
- Claims-free discount. If you haven’t filed a claim in several years, you may qualify for a lower rate.
- New construction discount. Newer homes with modern materials and better safety features often get lower rates.
- Loyalty discount. Some insurers reduce rates for customers who stick with them for multiple years.
What does home insurance in Houston cover?
A standard homeowners insurance policy in Houston (HO-3 policy) covers your home, belongings, and liability risks. But it’s important to know exactly what’s included.
A standard home insurance policy often includes:
- Dwelling coverage – Pays for repairs or rebuilding in the event your home is damaged by a covered peril or event, like fire, wind, hail, theft, or vandalism.
- Personal property – Protects your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing) in cases of theft, fire, or certain weather events.
- Liability coverage – Could help cover legal fees and medical expenses if someone sues you.
- Loss of use coverage. Pays for temporary housing, meals, and additional living expenses in the event your home becomes uninhabitable following a covered event.
Houston Insurance Coverage Options
Traditional coverage
Physical Structure
Living Expenses
Liability Protection
Additional Structures
Personal Possessions
Supplemental coverage
Fire
Earthquake
Flood
Additional Houston insurance coverage options
Standard home insurance may not cover everything you need. Houston’s storms, flooding, and shifting soil create extra risks. Here are some additional coverages that homeowners in Houston may want to consider:
- Flood insurance. With over 322,000 residential properties in Greater Houston located in FEMA-designated floodplains and an expected increase in flood risks by 2050, it's wise for homeowners to consider adding flood insurance to their policy.
- Windstorm and hurricane coverage. Some insurers exclude wind or hurricane damage, especially near the coast. If your policy doesn’t cover it, you may need separate windstorm insurance or hurricane insurance.
- Foundation coverage. Houston’s shifting clay soil could cause cracks and structural damage. Most policies won’t cover this unless you add foundation protection.
- Sewer backup insurance. Heavy rain could overwhelm city drainage systems, causing sewage to back up into homes. Adding this coverage could help pay for cleanup and repairs.
Mold protection. Houston’s humidity makes mold a big problem. Some policies exclude mold damage unless you add a rider for coverage.
What Houston residents need to know
Homeownership is common in Houston — around 55% of households in Harris County own their homes instead of renting. But insuring a home here is more expensive than in other parts of Texas.
The average Houston, Texas, homeowners insurance premium is nearly twice the national average due to frequent storms, flood risks, and rising rebuilding costs.
However, price isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing a policy. You also need to ensure you have enough coverage to protect your home and finances fully.
Here’s how to determine how much coverage you need:
- Dwelling coverage - Your Houston property insurance should be enough to rebuild your home from the ground up after a disaster. That’s not the same as your home’s market value. Instead, look at the estimated replacement cost, which factors in materials, labor, and debris removal.
- Personal property coverage - Most policies cover belongings at 50% to 70% of your dwelling coverage. But if you have expensive electronics, jewelry, or collectibles, you may need to schedule personal property coverage to fully replace them.
- Liability coverage - A good rule of thumb is to match or exceed your total assets. This includes your vehicles, savings, and investments. Most policies offer $100,000 to $500,000 in coverage. However, homeowners with higher net worth may need more.
If you’re struggling to get Houston house insurance because you’re in a high-risk area, check out FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or the Texas Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan at www.texasfairplan.org for last-resort coverage options.
How to lower your Houston home insurance premium
While the cost of living in Houston is relatively low, Texas’ average home insurance premium is the top five most expensive in the country. It may be possible to lower your Houston home insurance costs using these tips:
- Increase your deductible. Raising it from $1,000 to $2,500 could lower your premium. Just make sure you have at least that much (ideally more) in savings in case you file a claim.
- Be strategic with upgrades. You could install smart home technology, add a security system, add wind-resistant upgrades, and update your roof and/or HVAC system if they’re over 20 years old. Check out this list of critical maintenance upgrades for more ideas.
- Bundle your policies. Combining home and auto insurance with the same provider could save up to 25%.
- Remove high-risk items. Trampolines and certain dog breeds could increase liability risks. Some insurers charge more or exclude coverage for them.
Shop around. Rates vary by insurer. Get at least three home insurance quotes for Houston to compare coverage and costs.
Looking for homeowners insurance in a different Texas city?
Check out our other Texas homeowners insurance guides for these cities:
- Homeowners insurance in Austin
- Homeowners insurance in San Antonio
Still have questions?
Interested in learning more about homeowners insurance in Houston, TX? Here are some common questions and answers to help you decide on the right coverage.
How much is home insurance in Houston?
Home insurance costs in Houston average $5,960 per year or $497 per month. This is primarily due to how many severe weather events the city faces each year, including floods, hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, snow storms, hail, and more.
Why is Houston home insurance so expensive?
Houston home insurance rates tend to be high because of hurricane, flood, and hail risks, along with rising construction costs. Insurance companies charge more in high-risk areas to cover potential claims.
How much is condo insurance in Houston?
Condo insurance in Houston (an HO-6 policy) typically costs $1,078 per year, depending on the building’s location, age, and coverage needs. This makes it quite a bit more expensive than the national average cost of condo insurance, which is around $656 per year. Condo insurance covers your personal belongings, interior structures, and liability but not the building itself, which is covered by the condo association’s master policy.
Should I buy flood insurance in Houston?
Yes, it’s highly recommended to purchase flood insurance in addition to your standard homeowners policy, especially if you live in flood-prone areas like downtown, Bellaire, or Meyerland.
Even the best homeowners insurance companies in Houston do not usually cover flood damage. FEMA’s NFIP and private insurers offer separate flood policies.
Which Houston insurance company offers the most affordable home insurance?
The cheapest homeowners insurance in Houston will depend on a whole host of factors, including your home’s location, age, and risk exposure. The best way to find the lowest rate is to compare quotes from multiple home insurance companies in Houston. Bundling with auto insurance and increasing your deductible could also help reduce costs.
