What drives an Austin homeowners premium
Austin sits in one of the most active hail corridors in the country, and carriers price
for it. Four things dominate:
- Roof age and material. Many carriers now decline roofs past 15–20 years or price them sharply higher. A composition shingle roof at year 18 is a different quote than the same roof at year 5.
- Replacement cost vs actual cash value. An ACV roof settlement pays depreciated value. On an older roof that difference can be most of the claim.
- Wind/hail deductible. Texas policies often carry a separate percentage deductible for wind and hail — commonly 1–2% of the dwelling limit, not a flat dollar amount.
- Construction. Masonry and newer build quality price better than older frame construction.
What to check before you sign
- Is the roof covered at replacement cost, and is there a roof-age exclusion?
- Is the wind/hail deductible a percentage or a dollar figure, and of what?
- Does the policy include water backup and foundation coverage? Austin’s clay soils move.
- Is the dwelling limit realistic for current Austin rebuild costs, which have risen sharply?
Renters and condos
Renters policies are inexpensive and cover contents plus liability. Condo owners need an
HO-6 that covers the interior and the association deductible gap — a common and expensive
oversight in Austin’s newer mid-rise buildings.
Call (737) 265-7967 or email
[email protected] for a
comparison.