Living in North Texas means dealing with unpredictable weather—severe thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes, and occasional flooding. Storm season can strike fast, and if your home insurance isn’t up to the task, you could be left with massive out-of-pocket expenses.
At The Wrice Agency, we’ve helped countless North Texas homeowners navigate storm damage claims and rebuild after disasters. In this post, we’ll walk you through what you need to know to make sure your home insurance is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way.
## When Is Storm Season in North Texas?
North Texas experiences severe weather year-round, but the most active storm season runs from **March through June**. During this time, we see:
– **Severe thunderstorms** with damaging winds and lightning
– **Hail storms** that can destroy roofs, siding, and vehicles
– **Tornadoes** that can level entire neighborhoods
– **Flash flooding** from heavy rainfall
But storms don’t follow a calendar. We’ve seen devastating hail in October and tornadoes in December. That’s why your home insurance needs to be ready year-round.
## What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
A standard homeowners insurance policy in Texas covers:
– **Dwelling coverage:** Repairs or rebuilds your home after a covered loss (fire, wind, hail, lightning, etc.)
– **Personal property coverage:** Replaces your belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.)
– **Liability coverage:** Protects you if someone is injured on your property
– **Loss of use coverage:** Pays for temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable
– **Other structures coverage:** Covers detached garages, sheds, fences, etc.
## What Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Here’s where many North Texas homeowners get caught off guard:
– **Flood damage:** Standard policies do NOT cover flooding. You need a separate flood insurance policy.
– **Earthquake damage:** Also requires a separate policy (though earthquakes are rare in North Texas)
– **Maintenance issues:** Wear and tear, mold, and neglect are not covered
– **Certain types of water damage:** Sewer backups and slow leaks may require additional endorsements
## Key Coverage Enhancements for North Texas Homeowners
To make sure you’re fully protected, consider adding these endorsements to your policy:
### 1. Extended Replacement Cost Coverage
This ensures you’re covered even if rebuilding costs exceed your policy limit. With rising construction costs in North Texas, this is critical.
**Why you need it:** Construction costs have skyrocketed in recent years. Without extended replacement cost, you could be underinsured.
### 2. Building Ordinance Coverage
If your home is damaged and local building codes have changed since it was built, you may be required to bring it up to current standards. This endorsement covers the extra cost.
**Why you need it:** Older homes are especially vulnerable to code upgrades after a loss.
### 3. Water Backup Coverage
Covers damage from sewer or drain backups—a common problem during heavy rains.
**Why you need it:** Standard policies exclude this, and cleanup can cost thousands.
### 4. Equipment Breakdown Coverage
Covers the cost to repair or replace major systems like HVAC, water heaters, and electrical panels.
**Why you need it:** These systems are expensive to replace, and breakdowns often happen at the worst times.
### 5. Personal Property Replacement Cost
Replaces your belongings at today’s prices, not their depreciated value.
**Why you need it:** Without this, you’ll only get a fraction of what it costs to replace your stuff.
## Do You Need Flood Insurance?
**Short answer: Yes.**
Even if you’re not in a FEMA-designated flood zone, flooding can happen anywhere. In fact, 25% of flood claims come from low- to moderate-risk areas.
**Flood insurance covers:**
– Structural damage to your home
– HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels
– Appliances (washer, dryer, refrigerator, etc.)
– Personal belongings (with contents coverage)
**Cost:** Policies start as low as a few hundred dollars per year.
**Where to get it:** Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers.
## How Much Dwelling Coverage Do You Need?
Your dwelling coverage should reflect the cost to **rebuild** your home—not its market value. Here’s how to determine the right amount:
1. **Get a replacement cost estimate** from your insurance agent or a contractor
2. **Factor in rising construction costs** (materials and labor have increased significantly in recent years)
3. **Add extended replacement cost coverage** to protect against cost overruns
**Common mistake:** Homeowners often base their coverage on what they paid for the house or its current market value. That’s not enough. You need to insure for the cost to rebuild from the ground up.
## What to Do Before Storm Season
### 1. Review Your Policy
When was the last time you looked at your homeowners insurance policy? If it’s been more than a year, it’s time for a review.
**Questions to ask:**
– Is my dwelling coverage high enough to rebuild?
– Do I have extended replacement cost coverage?
– Am I covered for water backup and equipment breakdown?
– Do I need flood insurance?
### 2. Document Your Belongings
Take photos or videos of your home’s contents, including furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and appliances. Store this documentation in the cloud or off-site.
**Why it matters:** If you need to file a claim, you’ll have proof of what you owned and its condition.
### 3. Inspect Your Roof
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against storms. If it’s more than 15–20 years old, have it inspected by a professional.
**Why it matters:** Insurance carriers are increasingly strict about roof age. Some won’t insure homes with roofs older than 20 years.
### 4. Trim Trees and Clear Gutters
Remove dead branches that could fall on your home during a storm, and make sure your gutters are clear to prevent water damage.
### 5. Know Your Deductible
Most homeowners policies have a **percentage deductible** for wind and hail damage (typically 1%–2% of your dwelling coverage). That means if your home is insured for $300,000 and you have a 1% deductible, you’ll pay $3,000 out of pocket before insurance kicks in.
**Make sure you can afford your deductible.**
## What to Do After a Storm
### 1. Stay Safe
Don’t inspect your property until it’s safe to do so. Watch for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.
### 2. Document the Damage
Take photos and videos of all damage to your home, roof, vehicles, and belongings.
### 3. Prevent Further Damage
Cover broken windows, tarp damaged roofs, and remove standing water. Your policy requires you to mitigate further damage.
### 4. Contact Your Insurance Agent
Call us immediately at **945-258-1795**. We’ll walk you through the claims process, help you document the damage, and advocate on your behalf with the insurance carrier.
### 5. Don’t Sign Anything Without Talking to Us
After a major storm, contractors and “storm chasers” will flood your neighborhood. Some are legitimate; others are not. Always consult with your insurance agent before signing any contracts.
## Why The Wrice Agency?
We’re not your typical insurance agency. We’re a family-owned business with deep roots in North Texas and unique experience from the Alaska insurance market. We bring that same tenacity, creativity, and problem-solving to every client we serve.
Here’s what sets us apart:
– **No hidden fees:** We never charge for mid-term policy changes or endorsements
– **Same-day quotes and policy issuance** for all products
– **15+ carriers** to shop for the best rates and coverage
– **Family-friendly office:** Kids are always welcome
– **Annual policy reviews** to keep your coverage up to date
– **24/7 claims support:** We’re here when you need us most
## Ready to Protect Your Home?
Don’t wait until the next storm hits. Call us today at **945-258-1795** or visit [www.twatexas.com](https://www.twatexas.com) to schedule your free home insurance review.
Let’s make sure your home is protected—the right way.
**The Wrice Agency**
2925 Country Club Rd #104, Denton, TX 76210
945-258-1795
[www.twatexas.com](https://www.twatexas.com)
