Texas law does not explicitly require homeowners to carry home insurance. However, it does allow mortgage lenders to require loan applicants to carry coverage. Therefore, if you plan to finance your home, you’ll probably have to keep a policy.

What does coverage include?

All home policies differ, but they all usually contain a lot of similar pieces. Within a policy, you can find:

Structure protection: Coverage can insure your house, garage and often detached buildings on the property. It can cover you in case of damage from fires, weather, theft and similar hazards.

Possessions insurance: This coverage pays for damaged belongings. Protection might cover everything from food in the pantry to computer systems in your office and clothes in the closet.

Liability coverage: If you harm someone else or damage their property, you can use this coverage to compensate them. Coverage will often pay for incidents on or off your property.

Additional expense protection: Do you need to move out temporarily after an accident at home? Let this coverage reimburse you for expenses like dining or hotel bills.