Personal Insurance  /  Homeowners

Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners Insurance
for Texas Families.

Your home is likely your largest investment. In Texas — where hail, wind, and weather put it to the test every year — making sure your coverage is right matters. We shop across every major carrier to find the best protection for your home and the family inside it.

What Homeowners Insurance Covers

More than just the building — your home, your belongings, and your liability.

A standard homeowners policy — called an HO-3 in Texas — protects your home’s structure, your personal property, and your liability if someone is injured on your property. It’s what most mortgage lenders require and the most common type of home insurance in the state.

What most homeowners don’t realize is how much variation exists within that standard structure. The limits you carry, the deductibles you agree to, how your property is valued, and what’s specifically excluded can mean the difference between a policy that makes you whole and one that falls short. Nearly half of Texas homeowners claims in 2024 closed without full payment — often because of coverage terms the homeowner didn’t understand going in.

“The right homeowners policy isn’t the cheapest — it’s the one that actually pays when you need it. We make sure you understand what you’re buying before you sign.”

We walk through your coverage with you — what your dwelling limit is based on, how your property is valued, and what your deductibles mean in a real loss. It’s worth having that conversation before the storm, not after.

What a standard HO-3 policy covers:

Dwelling coverage
The structure of your home and attached garage against fire, wind, hail, and most sudden perils
Other structures
Detached garage, fencing, sheds, and other structures on your property
Personal property
Furniture, electronics, clothing, and belongings inside your home
Loss of use
Hotel, rental, and additional living costs while your home is being repaired after a covered loss
Personal liability
Legal defense and damages if someone is injured on your property and holds you responsible
Medical payments
Minor medical expenses for guests injured on your property, regardless of fault

Texas-Specific Considerations

Three things every Texas homeowner needs to understand about their policy.

Hail & wind have a separate deductible

In Texas, your wind/hail deductible is a different number from your standard deductible — typically 1–2% of your dwelling value. On a $400,000 home, that means $8,000 out of pocket before insurance pays on a hail claim. Most homeowners don’t know this number until a storm happens.

Flood damage is not covered — ever

No standard homeowners policy in Texas covers flood damage. Flood insurance is purchased separately. Texas flooding regularly affects properties well outside designated flood plains — worth discussing regardless of whether your lender requires it.

Replacement cost vs. actual cash value

Replacement cost pays to rebuild or replace regardless of age. ACV deducts depreciation — on a 10-year-old roof the gap at claim time can be thousands of dollars. We always recommend replacement cost for both dwelling and personal property.

Real Risks. Real Scenarios.

What Texas homeowners actually file claims for.

These are the situations that happen to DFW homeowners. Coverage details determine the outcome.

01
A hailstorm damages your roof
Hail is the most common homeowners claim in North Texas. Many homeowners find out what their wind/hail deductible is for the first time after a storm — and it’s often more than expected. If your roof is older, some carriers pay actual cash value rather than replacement cost. We review both before you sign anything.

03
A fire causes major structural damage
Fire claims are the most expensive on average. The real question is whether your dwelling limit reflects today’s construction costs, which have risen substantially since 2020. A home insured at its five-year-old value may be significantly underinsured today. We review dwelling limits at every renewal.

05
A major loss forces you out of your home
After a fire or significant storm, your home may be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Loss of use coverage pays for a hotel, rental, and additional living costs during recovery. Policies set limits on how much and how long — when you’re displaced for two months the adequacy of that limit becomes very real.

02
A pipe bursts and floods your interior
Sudden water damage from a burst pipe is covered. Slow leaks, backed-up drains, or water entering from outside are not. The source of the water matters enormously — we make sure clients understand the distinction before they’re on the phone with an adjuster after a loss.

04
Someone is injured at your home
A guest slips on your steps, a neighbor’s child is hurt in your backyard. Your homeowners liability handles medical bills, legal fees, and settlements. Most policies default to $100,000 — we typically recommend $300,000 or more, and discuss a personal umbrella for clients who want stronger protection.

06
High-value items aren’t covered the way you think
Standard policies cap jewelry at $1,500–$2,500 for theft regardless of actual value. Firearms, art, and collectibles have similar sublimits. Items worth more should be scheduled individually — the premium to add is small and removes the sublimit entirely for those specific items.

Common Coverage Gaps

What Texas homeowners policies most often get wrong.

01
Dwelling limit doesn’t reflect current rebuild cost
Construction costs in Texas have risen significantly since 2020. A home insured at its purchase price may be substantially underinsured at claim time. We review rebuild limits at every renewal and flag when they need updating.

03
Not knowing your wind/hail deductible in dollars
Most Texas homeowners have a percentage-based wind/hail deductible they’ve never converted to a real number. We review both deductibles clearly at setup and revisit when your dwelling value changes.

05
High-value items with no scheduled coverage
Standard sublimits for jewelry, firearms, art, and collectibles are well below actual value. Items worth more than a few thousand dollars should be scheduled individually — small premium, significant protection difference.

02
Personal property on actual cash value
Many policies default to ACV — your 4-year-old laptop pays at depreciated value, not replacement cost. The difference matters when you’re replacing an entire household of belongings after a fire.

04
Liability limits set too low
The default is $100,000 — but personal injury claims can exceed that quickly. A pool, a dog, children, or meaningful assets all make higher limits worth carrying. We typically recommend $300,000 and discuss a personal umbrella on top.

06
No flood coverage in a flood-adjacent area
Texas flooding doesn’t stay inside mapped zones. Many DFW homeowners carry no flood insurance because their lender doesn’t require it — and discover after a rainfall event that their homeowners policy covers none of it.

Why Get Your Homeowners Insurance Through McKnight

Shopping the Texas homeowners market takes someone who knows it.

Texas home insurance is more complicated to shop than it used to be. Rates have risen significantly, some carriers have tightened underwriting in certain zip codes, and the difference between carriers on coverage terms — not just price — has become more meaningful. Going it alone online in this market is harder than it was a few years ago.

As an independent agency representing 100+ carriers, we know which ones are actively writing in your area, which offer competitive terms right now, and which have a strong track record of handling Texas weather claims correctly. We do the comparison shopping and bring you real options — not a single quote from a company we’re tied to.

Beyond the initial placement, we’re here when things change. Roof replaced? Finished a renovation? Bought a dog? Got a pool? We check in at every renewal and we’re reachable by phone during business hours when you have a question. That’s what makes insurance something other than a bill you pay and hope you never need.

100+ carriers shopping for you
Not tied to one company. We find the right carrier for your home, location, roof age, and claims history.

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One account manager for your household
One person handles your home and auto. They know your situation and are reachable when something comes up.

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Real answers when you call
817.277.6166, weekdays 8:30–5pm. Someone who knows your policy picks up.

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Annual review at every renewal
We check in every year — rebuild costs, renovations, and life changes all affect your program.

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FAQ

Homeowners insurance questions we hear all the time.

What does homeowners insurance cover in Texas?
A standard HO-3 covers your home’s structure against most sudden perils — fire, wind, hail, lightning, vandalism. It also covers personal belongings, other structures on your property, loss of use if you’re displaced, and personal liability if someone is injured on your property. What it doesn’t cover: flood, earthquake, normal wear and tear, and intentional damage. Wind and hail is included but carries its own percentage-based deductible in Texas — separate from your standard deductible.
Why is homeowners insurance so expensive in Texas right now?
Texas homeowners rates increased an average of 21% in 2023 and 19% in 2024, driven by more frequent severe weather, rising construction costs, and population growth. The good news is Texas still has roughly 160 insurers operating statewide. Shopping across carriers — which is what we do as an independent agency — can make a meaningful difference in what you pay compared to staying with one company by default at renewal.
Does homeowners insurance cover hail damage to my roof?
Yes — hail damage is covered. But two details matter: Your wind/hail deductible is almost certainly percentage-based — typically 1–2% of your dwelling value. On a $350,000 home with a 2% deductible, you pay the first $7,000 before insurance pays. Additionally, some carriers pay older roofs at actual cash value rather than replacement cost. We review both at policy setup so you know where you stand before a storm hits.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
No — flood is excluded from every standard homeowners policy in Texas without exception. If water enters your home from outside — heavy rain, rising water, storm surge — your homeowners policy doesn’t cover it. Flood insurance is purchased separately. Texas flooding regularly affects properties outside mapped flood zones — worth discussing regardless of whether your lender requires it.
What is the difference between replacement cost and actual cash value?
Replacement cost pays what it costs to repair or rebuild with new materials of similar quality — regardless of age. Actual cash value deducts depreciation, so a 10-year-old roof or a five-year-old appliance pays out at a fraction of replacement cost. We recommend replacement cost for both dwelling and personal property. The premium difference is typically modest; the claims difference can be substantial.
How much dwelling coverage do I need?
Your dwelling limit should reflect what it costs to rebuild your home today — not its market value, not what you paid, and not an estimate from several years ago. Construction costs in Texas have risen substantially since 2020. We use a replacement cost estimator based on your home’s size, construction type, and finishes — and revisit it at every renewal so your coverage keeps pace.
Does my homeowners policy cover jewelry, guns, or other valuables?
Standard policies carry sublimits for specific categories — jewelry is typically capped at $1,500–$2,500 for theft regardless of actual value. Firearms, fine art, instruments, and collectibles have similar restrictions. Items worth more than the sublimit should be scheduled individually with a stated value. Scheduling removes the sublimit and often provides broader coverage for a small additional premium.
Will filing a homeowners claim raise my rates?
Possibly — it depends on claim type and your history. A single weather claim generally has less impact than a liability or water damage claim. Multiple claims in a few years can result in surcharges or non-renewal. Call us before filing a smaller claim — we can help you weigh whether it makes more sense to file or pay out of pocket based on your deductible, history, and potential long-term rate impact.
My carrier non-renewed my homeowners policy. What do I do?
Call us. Non-renewals are more common in Texas right now — and there are options. As an independent agency we have access to a wide range of carriers, including those specializing in homes standard markets have become more selective about. You should receive at least 30 days notice — use that time to let us shop for you rather than scrambling at the last minute.
How does bundling home and auto affect my rate?
Most carriers offer discounts of 10–20% when you bundle home and auto. Beyond the savings, having both with one agency means one person managing your full household picture. We always confirm the math — occasionally separate carriers outperform the bundle discount, and we’ll tell you when that’s the case.

Get Started

Let’s make sure your home is covered the right way — not just covered.

Call us or request a quote and we’ll shop across 100+ carriers to find the right protection for your home and your family. One agent. One phone number. Real answers.

McKnight Insurance Services  ·  Mansfield, TX  ·  Weekdays 8:30am–5pm