Homeowners Insurance

Online Publication
Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance protects you from financial losses caused by storms, fire, theft, and other events outlined in your policy. It is important to know what´s in your policy. Make sure you read your policy carefully and understand your specific coverages. It´s also important to know your rights. Texas has a Consumer Bill of Rights for homeowners and renters insurance. Your company must send the Bill of Rights with your policy or renewal.

More Consumer Advice About Homeowner Insurance

Finding and Keeping Coverage

• Office of Public Insurance Counsel Web Site - Compare Homeowners Insurance Coverages
• Helpinsure.com - Helps Texans shop for homeowners insurance. The Web site - www.helpinsure.com - and toll-free number - 1-866-695-6873 - are a free and secure service of the State of Texas and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
• Help for Coastal Residents - Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is a "pool" of all Property & Casualty insurers in Texas. It provides Texans with wind and hail coverage when it is not available in the insurance marketplace and pays claims when losses occur. | TDI Windstorm Information and Inspections - Includes information about windstorm inspections, building code details, building product evaluations, educational material, downloads and contact information.
• Texas Fair Plan - The Texas FAIR Plan Association provides residential property insurance to qualified consumers who are having difficulty obtaining coverage from licensed insurance companies.
• Voluntary Inspection Program - Texas´ Voluntary Inspection Program (VIP) offers owners of well-maintained homes a way to show insurers that they deserve coverage. Under the VIP, a home receives a "certificate of insurability" if it passes an inspection by a credentialed inspector, qualified by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). | A list of qualified VIP inspectors

Complaints

• Homeowners Online Complaint Form - Information disclosed in this form helps us resolve your complaint. Complaints requiring supporting documents should be mailed or faxed. If you file on-line, print a copy of your completed complaint form before using the "submit" button at the bottom of the form. Add that copy to any supporting documents you mail or fax. It will help speed up the process. You can expect an acknowledgement letter once your complaint form has been received.
• Helping You With Your Insurance Complaint - Each year TDI assists consumers with more than 18,000 insurance-related complaints. Because of TDI´s efforts, consumers receive millions of dollars a year in additional claim payments and refunds. This online publication explains how we can help you with your insurance problem and how you can file a consumer complaint.
• Consumer Complaint Information/Data - Search TDI´s Internet Complaint Information System (ICIS) by (1) Summary Complaint Information by Quarter (2) Region Complaint Information by Quarter or (3) Line of Insurance.

Consumer protections against losing insurance coverage

Home and auto insurance offer security against the unexpected. So a letter telling you that your insurance company no longer will cover your home or car can be an unsettling experience. Knowing your rights about when insurance coverage can legally be discontinued can help ease that stress.
Find out more.

Publications

• Homeowners Insurance Price Comparisons - Shopping for insurance can usually save you money. Check our homeowners rate guide. Make sure you understand what coverages are included and that you´re comparing equivalent policies.
• Handling Water-Damage and Mold Claims - These guidelines are designed to help consumers with claims involving water or potential mold damage.
• Homeowners Insurance - Homeowners insurance protects you from losses caused by storms, fire, theft, and other events outlined in your policy. This publication gives you general information about homeowners insurance.
• Windstorm Insurance Inspections - If you plan to build, add to, or renovate a home or other structure and want Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) coverage, you or your builder should request an inspection by a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) windstorm inspector or a Texas licensed professional engineer appointed by TDI.
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En Español

• Comparación del Precio del Seguro del los Dueños de Casa
• Seguros para Propietarios de Vivienda Un guía para los consumidores en Texas
• Seguro para Inquilinos

Related Web Links for Homeowners

• Credit Information Resource Page
• Attorney General´s Mold Information Page
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Mortgage Broker Search at Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending

For more information, contact: AutoHome@tdi.state.tx.us