Updated
Texas homeowners insurance premiums rose about 79% from 2019 to 2025, state data show. On August 24, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Department of Insurance to pursue changes involving FORTIFIED roofs, property-age underwriting, price optimization, fraud and claims costs. No immediate rate cut, refund or guaranteed discount was announced.
Key Facts
- Abbott issued the property-insurance directive on August 24, 2026.
- TDI’s average annual homeowners premium increased from $1,961 in 2019 to a preliminary $3,506 in 2025, or about 78.8%.
- TDI must submit additional administrative and legislative recommendations by September 14, 2026.
- The directive addresses FORTIFIED roofs, property age, price optimization, fraud and claims costs.
- No consumer refund, application or automatic premium reduction was announced.
What Happened
Abbott directed Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford and TDI to pursue several property-and-casualty insurance changes. The governor’s August 24 announcement calls for:
- including a home’s FORTIFIED roof status in rate-setting calculations;
- prohibiting refusals to write or renew residential property coverage based on the property’s age or components such as the roof;
- a bulletin against “price optimization,” described as using personal data unrelated to insured risk to set prices;
- an Insurance Fraud Task Force; and
- a study of excessive, unnecessary and inflated claims costs in commercial auto, personal auto and homeowners insurance.
TDI must identify actions it can take administratively and changes that would require legislation. Recommendations are due September 14. The announcement is therefore a directive to the regulator, not a completed package of final rules with uniform effective dates.
Why Texas Homeowners Insurance Premiums Are Under Review
The 79% figure aligns with TDI’s homeowners insurance market data. The statewide average annual premium rose from $1,961 in 2019 to a preliminary $3,506 in 2025. That is $1,545 more per year, or about $129 a month, using statewide averages.
These Texas homeowners insurance premiums are statewide averages; individual bills vary by location, coverage, deductible and property characteristics. TDI also notes that rising coverage amounts can affect premiums, so the comparison is not a measure of rate changes alone.
What Could Change for Texas Homeowners
FORTIFIED roofs could receive formal rate consideration
FORTIFIED is a property-hardening designation developed through the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. TDI says qualifying work receives a third-party-verified certificate and some insurers already offer discounts. Abbott instructed TDI to make insurers account for that status in rate calculations.
The announcement gives no discount percentage, start date or documentation rule. A certification therefore does not yet guarantee identical savings across insurers. Fiscal Wire has separately explained the proposed federal STORM FORTIFIED Act, which is not the same as this Texas directive.
Property-age underwriting could be restricted
The directive seeks to stop insurers from refusing to write or renew coverage based on a property’s age, including roof age. It does not say carriers must disregard physical condition, unrepaired damage, location or other insured risks.
TDI’s current home-policy renewal guidance tells policyholders to check for changes to roof coverage, deductibles, exclusions and recorded property details.
A price-optimization bulletin remains pending
The governor requested a bulletin covering all TDI-regulated products. As of August 25, TDI’s public 2026 commissioner bulletin list did not show the requested bulletin. Its wording, effective date and practical effect remain unresolved.
What Did Not Change
The directive did not cap premiums, order refunds or establish a claims portal. It also did not guarantee a particular FORTIFIED discount or renewal for every older property.
Existing policy terms remain controlling until TDI issues applicable guidance, rules or orders and insurers communicate changes. Some measures may depend on future legislation.
What Policyholders Should Do Now
- Review the full renewal packet. Compare the premium, deductible, dwelling limit, roof settlement terms, endorsements and exclusions.
- Correct property errors. Ask the insurer to fix an inaccurate roof age, construction type, square footage or other rating information.
- Preserve mitigation records. Save FORTIFIED certificates, inspections, invoices and photographs. Ask in writing whether they affect eligibility or price.
- Request written reasons. TDI says people declined, canceled or nonrenewed after January 1, 2026, must receive a written explanation. Review the agency’s cancellation and nonrenewal guidance.
- Avoid a coverage gap. Obtain written confirmation of replacement coverage before canceling an existing policy.
Official Help and Complaint Resources
Contact the insurer or agent first and preserve notices, policy pages, emails and confirmation numbers. For unresolved issues, use the Texas Department of Insurance complaint assistance page. TDI’s Help Line is 800-252-3439, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday.
A complaint does not guarantee a lower premium, renewal or claim payment. TDI can review compliance, but factual or contractual disputes may require other remedies.
Bottom Line
The August 24 directive places Texas homeowners insurance premiums and underwriting practices under a new state review. The possible changes involve roof-related pricing, older-property eligibility and unrelated personal data. Implementation details remain pending, so policyholders should document property information, examine renewals and rely on official TDI notices.
Editorial disclaimer: This article provides general consumer information and is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Coverage, pricing and complaint rights depend on the policy, insurer, facts and applicable law.
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This report provides general news and educational information for a U.S. audience. It is not individualized financial, credit, legal, tax, insurance or investment advice. Verify current procedures through the linked official sources.
