Owning a home in Texas is a lot like owning a grill. You think you’ve got everything under control—until the propane runs out right before the brisket’s done. Insurance works the same way: miss one key detail, and suddenly you’re the one stuck holding the bill.
Here are 5 mistakes Texas homeowners make that can leave your wallet smokier than a mesquite fire.
1. Underinsuring the Castle
Translation: You insured your house for what Zillow says it’s worth, not what it costs to rebuild after a Texas storm or fire. Construction costs rise faster than Buc-ee’s snack prices. If you don’t have replacement cost coverage on your Texas home insurance, you could be dangerously underinsured.
2. Thinking “I Don’t Need Flood Insurance”
That’s cute. Did the last thunderstorm check with FEMA before dumping six inches of rain on your neighborhood? Nope. In Texas, flash floods don’t care about maps. Standard Texas homeowners insurance policies do not cover floods—you need separate flood insurance in Texas if you want to be protected.
3. Going Deductible-Crazy
Sure, you save a few bucks picking that 2% wind/hail deductible. But when the next hailstorm drops golf balls on your roof, you’ll be writing a $6,000 check before your insurance company even blinks. High deductibles are like jalapeños—good in moderation, painful in excess. Be strategic about your deductible so you’re not stuck with unmanageable out-of-pocket costs.
4. Overlooking Roof & Hail Coverage Gotchas
Texas is the hail capital of America. Some policies sneak in cosmetic roof exclusions (translation: “Your roof looks ugly, but that’s your problem”). Others downgrade payouts to actual cash value instead of replacement cost. Don’t wait until you’ve got a skylight you didn’t ask for—make sure your Texas homeowners insurance includes strong wind and hail coverage in Texas.
5. Assuming “Everything’s Covered”
Mold, foundation cracks, water backup, your teenager’s trampoline party gone wrong—most of that isn’t covered unless you add endorsements. If you don’t know what an endorsement is, it’s basically insurance’s way of saying: “That’ll cost extra, partner.” Reviewing your policy exclusions and endorsements can save you from denied Texas home insurance claims later.
✅ Quick Recap: What These Mistakes Really Mean
- Insufficient Dwelling Coverage – not carrying enough replacement cost insurance to rebuild your home.
- No Flood Insurance – ignoring separate flood policies even in non-flood zones.
- Excessive Deductibles – choosing high wind/hail deductibles that create big out-of-pocket costs.
- Roof Coverage Limitations – missing exclusions for hail, wind, or cosmetic roof damage.
- Policy Gaps & Exclusions – failing to add endorsements for water backup, mold, foundation, or personal liability.
Wrap-Up
The truth is, Texas homeowners don’t get in trouble because they buy insurance. They get in trouble because they don’t buy the right kind. Don’t make these mistakes—review your Texas home insurance policy like it’s the playbook for Friday night football.
Or better yet, let Gilded Oak Insurance do the heavy lifting. We’ll help you avoid the coverage gaps, explain your endorsements, and make sure your home (and your wallet) are protected.
👉 Clear advice. Confident coverage. That’s Gilded Oak