Homeowners insurance
9 Ways Texas Homeowners Can Lower Their Insurance Premium, Ranked by Cost
Homeowners insurance has gotten expensive. NerdWallet's 2026 analysis puts the national average near $2,490 a year, and Texas hail and windstorms push premiums higher here. You can't control the weather, but you can control many of the factors insurers use to price your policy. The steps below are ordered by cost: the first six cost little or nothing, and the last three take some money but can pay off the most.
Free: start here
1. Compare quotes from several companies
Cost: $0. Potential savings: hundreds of dollars a year.
The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) notes that the price of the same coverage "can vary by hundreds of dollars" between companies. Every insurer weighs your roof, credit, and claims history differently, so the cheapest company for your neighbor may not be the cheapest for you. Price isn't the only factor, though. Also check each company's financial strength and its complaint record with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
Source: Triple-I, 12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs
2. Bundle home and auto
Cost: $0. Average savings: 15%, about $869 a year.
Insure.com's 2026 analysis of major insurers found that bundling saves 15% on average, and some companies averaged 22%. Triple-I gives a more conservative 5% to 15%. Compare the bundled price against the best separate policies, because a bundle isn't automatically the cheapest option.
Sources: Insure.com, Best Home and Auto Bundles; Triple-I
3. Raise your deductible, carefully
Cost: $0 up front. Savings: up to 25%.
Triple-I says raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can cut your premium by as much as 25%. NerdWallet found that going from $1,000 to $2,500 saves about 9% on average. There's a Texas catch: many policies have a separate wind and hail deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage. A 2% deductible on a $400,000 home means you pay the first $8,000 after a hailstorm. Only choose a deductible you could pay tomorrow.
Sources: Triple-I; NerdWallet, Average Homeowners Insurance Cost 2026
4. Protect your credit
Cost: $0. Impact: poor credit costs 72% more on average.
Texas insurers can use credit-based insurance scores, within legal limits. NerdWallet found that homeowners with poor credit pay about $4,290 a year, compared with $2,490 for those with good credit. Paying bills on time, keeping balances low, and fixing errors on your credit report can bring your premium down over time.
Source: NerdWallet
5. Weigh small claims before filing
Cost: the price of a minor repair. Impact: a recent claim raises premiums about 10%.
NerdWallet found that homeowners with a recent claim pay about 10% more. When a repair costs barely more than your deductible, paying it yourself protects your rate and any claims-free discount. Report any damage your policy requires you to report, and talk to your agent before deciding.
Source: NerdWallet, Home Insurance Discounts
6. Ask about the discounts nobody mentions
Cost: $0. Savings: about 5% to 10% each.
Triple-I reports that some insurers give up to 10% off to homeowners who are 55 or older and retired. Some take 5% off after three to five years with the same company and 10% after six. NerdWallet adds that paying once a year instead of monthly can earn a discount. Insure your home for what it would cost to rebuild, not for its market price, because land doesn't need coverage.
Sources: Triple-I; NerdWallet
Low cost
7. Add smoke detectors, deadbolts, and alarms
Cost: low. Savings: at least 5%, and up to 15% to 20% for monitored systems.
Triple-I says smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and deadbolt locks usually earn at least 5% off. Some companies take 15% to 20% off for a sprinkler system plus fire and burglar alarms monitored by a central station. Ask which devices your insurer credits before you buy.
Source: Triple-I
An investment with the biggest payoff
8. Install an impact-resistant (Class 4) roof
Cost: highest. Savings: historically 4% to 35% in Texas.
For many North Texas homeowners, this is the single biggest discount. Roofing rated Class 4 under UL Standard 2218 earns the largest credit. TDI's original 1998 credit schedule gave Class 4 roofs 4% to 35% off the basic premium, depending on location. Today each insurer sets its own amount. In 2026, TDI Bulletin B-0008-26 urged insurers to offer "meaningful" discounts for impact-resistant roofs and IBHS FORTIFIED Home construction. If your roof is due for replacement, the extra cost may be only the difference between standard and impact-resistant shingles. Ask your roofer for TDI form PC068 and send a copy to your insurer.
Sources: TDI, Impact-Resistant Roofing Credits; TDI Bulletin B-0024-98; TDI Bulletin B-0008-26; TDI Form PC068
9. Update your home's major systems
Cost: varies. Savings: 5% to 15% when buying or renovating.
Triple-I says homes with electrical, heating, and plumbing systems less than 10 years old may cost less to insure, and choosing well when you buy can cut premiums by 5% to 15%. If you've upgraded any of these, tell your insurer.
Source: Triple-I
The bottom line
No single step saves the most for everyone. The real savings come from combining several of them and making sure your insurer applies every credit you've earned. That's where an independent agent helps: I compare options from the companies I work with and check which discounts you qualify for.
Want a second look at your policy? Call (817) 552-4717 or visit fortify360insurance.com.
How to save on homeowners insurance in Texas: common questions
Does raising my deductible lower my premium?
Usually, yes. According to Triple-I, raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can cut your premium by as much as 25%, and NerdWallet found that going from $1,000 to $2,500 saves about 9% on average. Many Texas policies also have a separate wind and hail deductible set as a percentage of your dwelling coverage, so only choose a deductible you could pay tomorrow. Discounts vary by company and aren't guaranteed.
What home insurance discounts should I ask for?
According to Triple-I, ask about bundling home and auto (5% to 15% at some companies), smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and deadbolt locks (usually at least 5%), being 55 or older and retired (up to 10% at some companies), and staying with the same company (some take 5% off after three to five years and 10% after six). NerdWallet adds that paying once a year instead of monthly can earn a discount. Discounts vary by company and aren't guaranteed.
Does a Class 4 roof lower insurance in Texas?
It can. Roofing rated Class 4 under UL Standard 2218 earns the largest credit. According to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), its original 1998 credit schedule gave Class 4 roofs 4% to 35% off the basic premium, depending on location. Today each insurer sets its own amount. In 2026, TDI Bulletin B-0008-26 urged insurers to offer "meaningful" discounts for impact-resistant roofs. Ask your roofer for TDI form PC068 and send a copy to your insurer. Discounts vary by company and aren't guaranteed.
Discount availability and amounts vary by company and are subject to eligibility, underwriting, and policy terms. The percentages above are averages or maximums reported by the cited sources and do not guarantee savings.
Eric Blazej, licensed Texas insurance agent, doing business as Fortify360 Insurance Group · TDI #3517967 · NPN #22274526
