For Texas homeowners who have ever worried that an aging roof could automatically put their home insurance policy at risk, the Texas Department of Insurance is drawing a clearer line between age and actual condition.

The Texas Department of Insurance, commonly known as TDI, is clarifying its rules to make clear that insurance companies cannot decline to insure a home or refuse to renew a homeowners insurance policy based solely on the age of the house or individual components such as the roof.

For homeowners in Fulshear, particularly those living in established homes where a roof may be getting older but remains in good condition, that distinction could be an important one when shopping for coverage or approaching a policy renewal.

An Older Roof Is Not Automatically an Uninsurable Roof

The clarification does not mean insurers must overlook the condition of a property.

Insurance companies may still consider the physical condition of a home's roof, wiring, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, siding and other components when deciding whether to write or renew coverage. What they cannot do is make that decision simply because one of those components has reached a particular age.

For homeowners, that means a 15- or 20-year-old roof is not necessarily treated the same as a damaged or poorly maintained roof just because of the date it was installed. An insurer can still evaluate what the roof actually looks like and the risk it presents.

“Texans deserve fair access to home insurance, no matter the age of their home,” Texas Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford said. “By strengthening clarity and accountability, we’re building a more transparent insurance market that supports Texans.”

That could be especially relevant for Fulshear homeowners who have maintained their properties over the years but may be concerned about increasingly strict roof-age requirements when seeking Texas homeowners insurance.

What the Rule Does Not Change

There is an important distinction for homeowners to keep in mind: the rule addresses whether an insurer can decline or refuse to renew a policy based solely on age. It does not guarantee that an older roof will receive the same coverage or pricing as a newer one.

TDI advises homeowners that some policies provide replacement-cost roof coverage, while others pay less based on a roof's age and condition. An insurer may also switch an aging roof from replacement-cost coverage to actual cash value coverage, and a roof in poor condition may lose coverage altogether.

That makes it worthwhile for residents to read renewal documents closely rather than looking only at the new premium. Homeowners can check whether roof coverage has changed, confirm that the insurer has the correct roof age and materials on file, and review wind and hail deductibles before renewing a policy.

Part of a Broader Push on Texas Home Insurance

The clarification follows an August directive from Gov. Greg Abbott calling on TDI to take steps aimed at making property insurance more affordable and strengthening consumer protections.

Among those directives was a call to prohibit insurers from refusing to write or renew residential property insurance solely because of the age of the property or individual components such as the roof. The governor's office said in August that the average annual homeowners insurance premium in Texas had risen 79% over six years.

TDI's response has included several other measures, including efforts involving discounts for stronger homes and FORTIFIED roofs, insurance pricing practices, fraud prevention and greater transparency surrounding policy cancellations, nonrenewals and declinations.

Texas homeowners also have a new way to see what is happening closer to home. TDI recently launched an online tool that allows consumers to enter their ZIP code and see reported reasons insurers have declined, canceled or not renewed homeowners policies in their area, along with counts of those actions and active policies. The agency says the information will be updated at least quarterly.

What Fulshear Homeowners Can Do

For residents approaching a homeowners insurance renewal, the new clarification is a good reason to pay attention to the explanation an insurer provides if coverage is declined or not renewed.

A Texas law passed in 2025 requires insurers to provide written notice explaining why they declined, canceled or did not renew a home or auto insurance policy. Reporting of those reasons to TDI began in April 2026.

Homeowners who believe a policy was unfairly nonrenewed or canceled may file a complaint with TDI. The agency's Help Line is available at 800-252-3439, and additional homeowners insurance information and consumer resources are available through the Texas Department of Insurance website.

For homeowners with older but well-maintained houses, the new clarification offers some added reassurance: age alone should not determine whether a home can be insured. Condition still matters, coverage details still matter, and premiums may still vary, but an older roof by itself cannot be the sole reason a Texas insurer refuses to write or renew a residential property policy. 

Homeowners with questions about how the rule may apply to their specific policy, roof coverage or renewal should contact their insurance company or agent directly for guidance.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional updates affecting homeowners, insurance costs and families across the community.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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