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.

Florida homeowners insured by Citizens Property Insurance Corp.—the state’s insurer of last resort—are discovering 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.

A Growing Crisis in Texas Coverage

Texas homeowners are facing yet another hurdle in the state’s insurance crisis. In May, Lemonade announced it would no longer sell new home and condo policies in 12 counties. Just two months later, it expanded that list to include several major counties like Collin, Denton, Abilene, and Lubbock (Turek, Yahoo News, 9/8/25).

This move puts Lemonade alongside other insurers like Farmers and Progressive that have scaled back their property insurance coverage across Texas. The reason? Catastrophic weather risk.

For homeowners who rely on their policies to safeguard against hail damage, windstorm claims, and hurricane losses, these sudden exits leave families exposed and scrambling for alternatives.

What Windstorm Insurance Typically Covers

• Structural Damage: Repairs to your roof, siding, walls, windows, and gutters. Additionally, detached structures like garages, sheds, and fences may also be included.
• Personal Property: Reimbursement for items like furniture, electronics, appliances, and personal belongings damaged by wind-driven rain or hail.
• Additional Living Expenses (ALE) & Debris Removal: If your home is uninhabitable, this covers temporary lodging and cleanup costs.

Signs You May Need A Storm Damage Attorney For A Hurricane Claim

Prepare Your Property

• Trim or remove branches: Eliminating overhangs and dead limbs reduces damage risk from high winds.
• Secure loose items: Anchor or store patio furniture, grills, and plants to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
• Reinforce windows & doors: Consider storm shutters or impact-resistant materials. Ensure garage doors are rated for high winds.
• Check roof & gutters: Secure loose shingles and clear debris to prevent leaks and water damage.
• Elevate critical systems: Whenever possible, raise HVAC units, water heaters, and electrical panels above expected flood levels

1. Gradual Leaks & Ongoing Seepage

State Farm generally covers only unexpected water incidents, such as a burst pipe, without any signs of long-term or gradual leaks. If the damage results from slow drips or ongoing leaks, insurers often deny coverage, claiming it falls under maintenance issues rather than a covered risk.

2. Wear, Tear & Maintenance Neglect

Most standard insurance policies, including those from State Farm, typically do not cover damage caused by age-related wear and tear, such as corroded pipes or malfunctioning appliances. When State Farm evaluates a claim and determines it to be a maintenance issue, they often deny it, even if a sudden incident triggered the damage. This means that if the loss is linked to ongoing maintenance problems, policyholders may have their claims denied, regardless of whether an unexpected event caused the situation.

3. Policy Exclusions or Missing Endorsements

Many policies exclude coverage for:

• Flood and subsurface/groundwater
• Sewer or drain backups (unless specifically endorsed)
• Microbial contamination or mold (unless specifically endorsed)

4. Delay in Reporting or Poor Documentation

Delayed reporting or a lack of adequate evidence (such as photographs, contractor documentation, or mitigation records) gives insurers a legal basis to reject or reduce claims. Additionally, homeowners are obligated to take steps to minimize damage, like hiring plumbers or water extraction services, to ensure coverage eligibility.

5. Misclassification of Cause or Alleged Pre-Existing Damage

Insurers may assert that the damage existed before the policy began or mischaracterize the source. Some cases feature State Farm-appointed experts concluding damage was pre-existing, contradicting homeowner evidence. Courts have found such tactics problematic when policyholders present timely evidence.

Why Are So Many Claims Getting Denied?

Experts attribute this alarming surge to several key factors:

Rising Deductibles

Insurers have steadily increased deductibles, often pushing the out-of-pocket cost so high that minor claims simply go unpaid. In coastal Texas, wind damage deductibles of 2–3% of home value are now common—translating to nearly $9,000 on a $300,000 home .

Narrower Coverages

More policies are excluding specific perils like wind or hail—reducing insurer liability, but leaving homeowners exposed

Homeowner Inaction

Many homeowners don’t dispute claim denials due to time, complexity, or lack of resources.

Industry responses often point to high deductibles or policy grouping—such as associating renter claims with homeowners—in explaining these statistics

Why Premiums Are Surging

Climate Change

Unpredictable and more frequent climate disasters are driving up insurance rates. The rising number of claims from recent wildfires, storms, floods, and tornadoes is forcing insurers to increase costs.

Rising Inflation

Inflation has raised the cost of building materials and labor, making it more expensive to repair or rebuild homes.The escalating costs of building materials and labor due to inflation have significantly increased the expense of repairing or rebuilding homes.

Storm and Flood Damage in the Midwest

According to Insurify,  Homeowners nationwide should anticipate increased insurance expenses as insurers modify their pricing to account for escalating risks, with the Midwest potentially experiencing some of the most substantial premium hikes.

How to protect yourself

You can’t control the insurance industry or stop climate change, but you can take steps to lower your home insurance costs.

Each year, compare quotes from various insurance providers to secure the best rates. Enhancing your home’s weather resistance, such as by upgrading your roof or wiring, can not only help minimize damage but may also make you eligible for discounts.

Shopping around is key—but be prepared, it can take time to call around for quotes.Consider increasing your deductible and refraining from filing minor claims, as these actions can lead to lower premiums. Relocating to a lower-risk area might also be beneficial, given that residents in high-risk zones face insurance costs approximately 82% higher.

What’s inside:

• A clear breakdown of what’s actually covered in most home insurance policies
  
• Common things that aren’t covered (but often assumed they are)
• Extra coverage options—like flood or earthquake insurance—that may be worth adding
  
• Why reviewing your policy details before something goes wrong is so important
  

Whether you’re dealing with storm damage or just trying to protect your property, this article is packed with practical tips and simple explanations to help you feel confident about your coverage. 

Check out the full article here: https://roofingmagazine.com/do-you-know-what-your-policy-covers/