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Texas insurance guide · 9 minute read

What to do when your Texas homeowners insurance is nonrenewed

A nonrenewal ends coverage at the policy expiration date, not immediately. Use the notice period to learn the exact reason, correct inaccurate information, and bind replacement coverage before the current policy ends.

InsuredNear editorial review · Last reviewed August 15, 2026

Start with the notice, not a new quote

Short answer: read the expiration date and stated reason, ask the insurer for a detailed written explanation, and begin shopping immediately. Nonrenewal means the company will not continue the policy after its scheduled expiration. It is different from cancellation during the policy term.

For residential property policies delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024, Texas requires at least 60 days' notice before nonrenewal. The current Texas Consumer Bill of Rights says that an insurer that misses the deadline may be required to renew the policy. If timing or the stated basis appears improper, contact the insurer and the Texas Department of Insurance promptly rather than assuming the notice is valid.

  • Policy number and exact expiration date
  • The stated underwriting or property condition
  • Any inspection report, photographs, claim record, or other source used
  • Whether the company will reconsider after repairs or corrected information
  • Whether a materially different renewal offer accompanied the notice

Ask for the precise reason in writing

Do not settle for a broad label such as property condition or underwriting. Ask which roof, plumbing, electrical, heating, air-conditioning, occupancy, claims, or other facts led to the decision. For a decline, cancellation, or nonrenewal after January 1, 2026, TDI says the company must provide a written statement explaining why. Request the incidents, circumstances, risk factors, and information sources used.

Check every fact against your records. A wrong roof age, missed repair, incorrect occupancy, or claim attributed to the wrong property can change an underwriting result. Send corrections and supporting documents in writing and retain proof of delivery.

Determine whether the problem can be corrected

A company may base a decision on the condition of a home, including its roof or major systems, even though the Texas Consumer Bill of Rights says it may not refuse renewal based on the property's age alone. Ask whether an inspection, repair, replacement, or proof of completed work would permit reconsideration and what deadline applies.

Complete only work that is prudent for the property. Get the insurer's requirements in writing before assuming an expensive repair guarantees renewal. Keep contracts, paid invoices, permits, photographs, and inspection reports for other insurers as well.

Protect the mortgage and avoid a coverage gap

Tell the mortgage servicer that replacement coverage is being arranged, but do not let the current policy lapse while negotiations continue. A lender may buy force-placed coverage if acceptable insurance is not maintained. That coverage generally protects the lender's interest and may cost more or protect the homeowner less than a policy selected by the homeowner.

Bind the replacement policy and confirm its effective date, named insureds, property address, mortgagee, payment arrangement, and proof of insurance before the old policy expires. Do not cancel an existing policy merely because a quote looks promising.

Distinguish nonrenewal from a changed renewal offer

A company may keep offering coverage while changing a deductible, reducing coverage, changing a coverage condition, or changing what the homeowner must do. That is not necessarily the same as nonrenewal. The Texas Consumer Bill of Rights generally requires written explanation of specified material changes at least 30 days before renewal.

Place the expiring declarations page, renewal offer, notice, forms, and endorsements side by side. If the insurer nonrenews the existing policy but offers a different policy, evaluate both the loss of the old contract and the terms of the replacement offer.

Shop the same risk through several channels

Give each agent the same declarations page, nonrenewal notice, property facts, desired effective date, loss history, and documentation of repairs. An independent agency, an exclusive agent, and a direct insurer may have access to different markets. No single source necessarily represents every company.

Compare policy form, dwelling limit, roof settlement, wind and hail deductible, water limitations, liability, loss of use, exclusions, and insurer status before comparing premium. A replacement policy that removes important protection is not an equivalent quote.

Understand last-resort and specialized markets

If regular-market coverage is unavailable, ask a licensed agent whether the Texas FAIR Plan is an eligible option. It provides basic coverage and has eligibility requirements; it is not automatically equivalent to a standard homeowners policy.

Coastal properties may also need a separate wind and hail arrangement, while flood requires a separate policy decision. A nonrenewal can expose gaps that were previously hidden, so place homeowners, wind, flood, and mortgage requirements side by side.

  • Admitted insurer or other insurer status
  • Homeowners, dwelling-fire, or FAIR Plan form
  • Separate wind and hail coverage if applicable
  • Separate flood coverage and waiting period
  • Replacement cost or actual cash value for the dwelling, roof, and belongings

Escalate a potentially improper nonrenewal

Contact TDI if the notice was late, the written reason conflicts with your records, the company counted claims in a way that appears prohibited, or you believe the decision violated your rights. Use TDI's complaint process and provide the notice, policy and declarations page, inspection material, photographs, repair records, and correspondence that support the concern. A complaint does not replace the need to shop. Continue arranging backup coverage while the issue is reviewed.

Keep a timeline of notices, calls, emails, documents, and quotes. That record helps the insurer, an agent, a mortgage servicer, or a regulator understand what happened before the expiration date.

Use this quote comparison worksheet

Fill in the policy form or endorsement, not just an agent's verbal description. Use each row as a question when you compare quotes.

CompareQuote AQuote BQuote C

Sources and official tools

Texas-specific guidance on this page was reviewed against these official consumer resources.

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