Texas Storm Season: A Practical Insurance Checklist

Texas gets hail, straight-line wind, tornado and tropical remnants — sometimes in the same month. Insurance handles each differently.

1. Know your wind and hail deductible

It is usually a percentage of the dwelling limit, not a flat dollar amount. On a $400,000 home a 2% deductible is $8,000 out of pocket before the carrier pays anything.

2. Flood is never included

Standard homeowners and commercial property policies exclude flood entirely. It is a separate policy, and most carriers apply a 30-day waiting period — buying it as the storm approaches does not work.

3. Check your roof schedule

Many carriers now settle older roofs on actual cash value even when the rest of the policy is replacement cost. Find out which applies to yours before you need it.

4. Document before, not after

Photograph every room and the exterior once a year. Adjusters settle documented claims faster and higher.

5. Business interruption and extra expense

For commercial policies, confirm the period of restoration and whether extra expense — the cost of operating from a temporary location — is included.