In Texas, start your quotes with USAA (if you qualify), State Farm, GEICO, Progressive and Allstate, and add Texas Farm Bureau if you want a local carrier. Hail, wind and hurricanes drive home premiums, so compare deductibles carefully, and if you live on the coast, ask whether you need separate wind coverage through TWIA.
This guide is for Texans buying or switching home, auto or life coverage, from Houston and the Gulf Coast to Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and the Panhandle. Texas has its own set of challenges: severe hail across much of the state, hurricanes on the coast, a separate state wind pool for coastal counties, and plenty of uninsured drivers on the roads. For the national view, see our guide to the best insurance companies in America.
How we picked. We weighed financial strength (AM Best Financial Strength Ratings, verified against AM Best releases), complaint data published by the Texas Department of Insurance and the NAIC, claims reputation, and real availability to new customers in Texas. We also flag which company inside each brand actually writes Texas policies, because ratings can differ between affiliates.
Best Insurance Companies in Texas at a Glance
| Company | Best for | AM Best rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | Military families | A++ (Superior) | Headquartered in San Antonio; open to eligible service members, veterans and families. |
| State Farm | Agent support statewide | A (Excellent) for State Farm Lloyds | State Farm Lloyds writes its Texas homeowners business; auto is written by State Farm Mutual, rated A+ (Superior). |
| GEICO | Low-cost auto | A++ (Superior) | Fast online quotes; home coverage is usually placed with partner insurers. |
| Progressive | Drivers with tickets or claims | A+ (Superior) | Broad auto appetite and easy comparison tools. |
| Allstate | Home and auto bundles | A+ (Superior) | Large agent network and multiple bundling discounts. |
| Texas Farm Bureau | Local, member-based coverage | B++ (Good) after a 2024 downgrade | Requires Farm Bureau membership; check the current rating before buying. |
Why the Texas Farm Bureau footnote: AM Best cut the group’s Financial Strength Rating from A- to B++ in September 2024 after severe-weather losses eroded its surplus. It remains a major local option, but you should know where it stands.
Best home insurance in Texas
Texas home insurance is largely a weather story. Hail and windstorms hit North and Central Texas, hurricanes and tropical storms threaten the Gulf Coast, and winter freezes can burst pipes in homes not built for the cold. That mix is why roof age and roof material weigh so heavily on Texas quotes, and why many policies use a separate, percentage-based deductible for wind and hail.
Coastal homes and TWIA. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association was created by the Legislature in 1971 to provide wind and hail coverage to coastal property owners who cannot get it in the private market. TWIA policies cover wind and hail only, nothing else. Its designated catastrophe area includes the 14 first-tier coastal counties (Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Willacy) plus part of Harris County east of Highway 146. You apply through an agent, may need a windstorm inspection, and may be required to carry flood insurance first. TWIA also will not sell a policy once a hurricane is threatening, so do not wait for a storm forecast.
The Texas FAIR Plan. If you are turned down by two insurers, the Texas FAIR Plan Association can provide limited residential coverage. It was activated statewide in 2002 during the mold crisis, and its policies are not as broad as standard homeowners coverage. It does not sell wind and hail coverage for properties eligible for TWIA.
Practical tips for Texas homeowners:
- Read the wind/hail deductible line on your declarations page. A 1% or 2% deductible on a $400,000 home means $4,000 to $8,000 out of pocket per storm.
- Ask whether your roof is covered at replacement cost or actual cash value. Older roofs are often switched to actual cash value, which pays much less.
- Impact-resistant roofing can earn discounts with many carriers; ask before you replace.
- Flood is excluded from standard home policies. Inland flooding is common in Texas, so price a separate flood policy even if you are not in a mapped flood zone.
- Document your home with photos and video before storm season, so a hail claim is easier to prove.
After a hailstorm. Storm-chasing contractors often knock on doors within hours of a big hail event. Before you sign anything, call your insurer or agent to open the claim yourself, take dated photos of the roof, gutters, siding and vehicles, and get at least one independent estimate. Never sign a contract that assigns your claim rights to a roofer you have just met. If the adjuster’s estimate seems low, ask for the itemized scope of loss and compare it line by line with your contractor’s bid; our guide on how to file an insurance claim covers the steps in order.
Best car insurance in Texas
Texas is an at-fault state: the driver who causes a crash pays for the damage through liability insurance. The Texas Department of Insurance sets the minimum at $30,000 for injuries per person, $60,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage (30/60/25).
Two coverages are built into Texas auto policies unless you decline them in writing: personal injury protection (PIP), which helps pay medical bills and lost wages no matter who is at fault, and uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which pays when the other driver has no insurance or too little. Our advice is to keep both. Rejecting them saves a little on premium and can cost a lot after a crash with an uninsured driver.
Who tends to stand out:
- USAA for eligible military families.
- GEICO and Progressive for price comparison and drivers with imperfect records.
- State Farm and Allstate for local agents and multi-policy discounts.
- Texas Farm Bureau for members who want a Texas-based carrier.
Remember that 30/60/25 is a legal floor, not a recommendation. A serious crash on a Texas interstate can easily exceed $60,000 in medical bills, and anything above your limits can come back to you personally. Many drivers who own a home choose limits of 100/300/100 or higher and pair them with an umbrella policy.
Best life insurance options
Life insurance pricing depends on your age, health and the type of policy far more than on your state, so Texans can choose from essentially the same national carriers as everyone else. State Farm Life Insurance Company is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best and is easy to reach through a local agent, and USAA serves eligible military households. For most families, a level term policy sized to the mortgage and income needs is the starting point. Compare options in our list of the best life insurance companies in the USA.
How to choose an insurer in Texas
- Check the right company’s rating. Brands like State Farm and Texas Farm Bureau use several companies with different AM Best ratings. Look at the one named on your quote.
- Look up complaints. The Texas Department of Insurance publishes company complaint data, and the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search shows confirmed complaints by state and line of coverage over three years.
- Verify the agent. Use TDI’s agent lookup to confirm the person selling you a policy is licensed in Texas.
- Compare deductibles, not just premiums. In Texas, the wind/hail deductible can matter more than the price.
- Ask about wind and flood up front if you live within the first-tier coastal counties.
- Keep the TDI help line handy: 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance required in Texas?
Texas requires liability coverage of at least $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for injuries, plus $25,000 for property damage, often written as 30/60/25.
Is PIP required in Texas?
PIP is included in every Texas auto policy unless you reject it in writing. Insurers must also offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, which you can only decline in writing.
What does TWIA cover?
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association covers wind and hail losses only, for eligible properties in the designated coastal area that cannot get that coverage from a private insurer. You buy it through an agent.
How do I file an insurance complaint in Texas?
Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439 or use TDI’s online complaint portal, choosing the type of insurance involved. Keep your policy number and all claim letters.
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This article is for general information only and is not insurance or legal advice. Ratings and availability change; confirm with the insurer and your state insurance department.
