Property Damage Insurance Attorney
Free Consultation
28
Oct

Policy Cancellations in Harris County

,

Thousands of Harris County Homeowners Dropped from Insurance

This blog draws on reporting from ABC13  (Leleana Pearson, October 10, 2025)

Thousands of Harris County Homeowners Dropped from Insurance

A growing number of Harris County homeowners are being dropped by their insurance companies, leaving many struggling to find new coverage or facing steep premium increases. Recent data reveals the extent of this issue and the factors contributing to it, showing that challenging a property insurance claim denial is an uphill battle. Recent investigations show that Citizens has routed more than 1,500 disputes into a mandatory arbitration system where it wins over 90% of final hearings. By comparison, in Florida’s circuit courts, Citizens wins just over half the time.

Rising Policy Cancellations Across Harris County

In 2023 alone, insurers in Harris County nonrenewed or dropped approximately 4,192 homeowners — about 1% of all policyholders, according to data reviewed by ABC13. Since then, major weather events like Hurricane Beryl and the May 2024 derecho have likely driven that number even higher.

Nationwide, homeowners in disaster-prone regions lose coverage at nearly twice the rate of those in less vulnerable areas — and Harris County’s exposure to flooding, hurricanes, and rising construction costs makes it especially vulnerable.

Why Insurance Companies Are Pulling Out

Several factors are contributing to the rise in non-renewals and cancellations:

Severe Weather and Rising Claims

  • Frequent storms and floods are driving up claims, increasing insurer losses.

Higher Rebuilding Costs

  • The price of materials and labor has surged, making coverage in high-risk zones less sustainable.

Updated Risk Models

  • New data-driven models are classifying more homes as high risk, resulting in dropped policies or soaring premiums.

Profit and Regulatory Pressures

  • To remain profitable, insurers are limiting their exposure in markets like Harris County.

Impact on Homeowners

For many residents, losing home insurance isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s a financial and emotional burden.

Difficulty Finding New Coverage

When insurers withdraw, homeowners often struggle to find suitable alternatives. When they do, premiums may be double or triple what they paid before. Forced-Placed Insurance

 Mortgage lenders may impose costly, limited coverage if homeowners can’t secure a new policy.

Financial Strain

 Rising costs are hitting families and retirees hard, especially those already managing other expenses.

Property Value Concerns

Homes without affordable insurance are more difficult to sell, which can potentially reduce property values.

Limited Alternatives

 Some turn to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) or National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for basic coverage, but those programs can be restrictive.

Expert Insight

According to Troy Cothran, Secretary and Treasurer of the Houston Association of Realtors, “More people are filing big claims, and that’s putting pressure on insurers to limit their exposure.” Some homeowners, he notes, have seen their costs double, triple, or even quadruple.

He advises homeowners to work with independent insurance agents, who can compare multiple carriers to find available coverage options.

What Homeowners Can Do

While these market shifts are complex, homeowners can take practical steps to protect themselves:

  • Work with an independent agent to compare policies.
  • Keep records of maintenance, repairs, and storm-prevention improvements.
  • Explore supplemental coverage through TWIA or NFIP.
  • Review mortgage requirements to avoid forced-placed insurance.

Consult a Texas insurance lawyer if you believe your policy was wrongfully canceled or denied.

Protect Your Rights — Get Legal Help Today

If your home insurance claim has been denied, you don’t have to face it alone. The Chad T. Wilson Law Firm advocates for homeowners across Texas who have been unfairly treated by their insurance companies.

Contact us today or call 713-222-6000 for a free consultation. 

Do not lose hope if you have filed an insurance claim and were denied or underpaid. Let the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm get justice for you.

Name
22
Oct

Homeowners Losing 90% of Cases Against Florida’s Citizens Insurance

, ,

What Florida’s Crisis Means for Policyholders

Florida Homeowners Are Losing Against Citizens Insurance

This story is based on reporting by Allaire Conte for Yahoo News, citing investigations by ProPublica and the Sun Sentinel.

A Growing Crisis in Florida Coverage

Florida’s ongoing insurance crisis has left more than half a million homeowners relying on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, the state’s insurer of last resort. As private carriers withdraw and premiums skyrocket, Citizens has become the only option for many. But troubling new data shows that when policyholders challenge property insurance claim denials, the deck is stacked against them.

According to ProPublica and the Sun Sentinel, Citizens wins more than 90% of cases brought before the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), compared to just 55% when disputes go through circuit court. For many homeowners, that difference determines whether they can afford to rebuild—or are left with devastating out-of-pocket costs.

A Legal Process Few Florida Homeowners Chose

In 2023, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that gave Citizens the power to reroute insurance disputes from traditional courts into DOAH arbitration. Supporters argued the system would be faster and cheaper. But in practice, it removes fundamental protections: no jury trial, limited discovery, and restrictions on presenting evidence.

Critics say it’s no coincidence that Citizens, which lobbied for the change, pays the salaries of the administrative judges who oversee these hearings. Rep. Hillary Cassel, a former insurance attorney, called it a direct violation of policyholders’ right to a fair trial.

The Numbers Behind the Crisis

The disparities are stark:

  • Win Rate: Citizens prevails in over 90% of DOAH hearings, compared with about 55% in circuit court.

  • Settlements: Nearly 80% of cases never reach a final ruling, with half of the settlements paying out $500 or less.

  • Scope: Citizens is on track to send thousands of disputes through DOAH annually, funding the program with more than $19 million through 2027.

Homeowners often feel forced to accept whatever settlement is offered—sometimes just pennies on the dollar—because the system makes it too risky to continue fighting.

The Human Cost

Behind the statistics are real families.

  • Peter and Linda Kilfoil of Fort Lauderdale discovered water damage in their kitchen. Their claim was denied as “long-term leakage,” even after they found the hidden pipe leak. When their case went to DOAH, the judge barred them from deposing a Citizens adjuster. With Peter battling cancer, the couple settled for just $500 on a $40,000 claim. Peter passed away six months later.
  • Jeffery McShane, a former Navy pilot, faced $200,000 in repairs after a burst pipe and roof leak caused extensive mold damage. Citizens denied the claim. Knowing the odds, he settled for $5,000.

These stories are not rare—they illustrate how limited legal recourse can devastate homeowners already struggling with claim losses.

Signs of Pushback

There may be a change on the horizon. After Hurricane Milton in 2024, homeowner Martin Alvarez challenged Citizens’ use of DOAH. In August 2025, Hillsborough County Judge Melissa Polo issued an injunction halting the arbitration process statewide. She called DOAH “structurally biased” and noted it deprived policyholders of neutral discovery, motion practice, and judicial review.

Still, Citizens continues to defend the system, framing it as efficient and cost-saving. CEO Tim Cerio argues the process ensures solvency for the insurer and points to statistics showing some cases result in reversed decisions.

What Homeowners Can Do

For homeowners, this environment is daunting—but not hopeless. Here are key steps to take:

Act quickly—if you’ve received a claim denial or non-renewal, timelines matter under Florida’s statute of limitations (SOL).

How Chad T. Wilson Law Firm Can Help

At the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm, we fight for policyholders who have been denied, underpaid, or forced into unfair processes. Whether your dispute involves hail damage, water damage, fire and smoke, windstorm claims, or commercial property losses, we’re here to stand up for your rights.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Your recovery is our mission.

This blog is based on reporting by Allaire Conte for Yahoo News, with additional context from ProPublica and the Sun Sentinel.

 

Practice Areas

Do not lose hope if you have filed an insurance claim and were denied or underpaid. Let the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm get justice for you.

Name

Recent Comments