Dallas Home and Auto Insurance

Spring storms regularly drop hail on Dallas neighborhoods. Before one hits, check two things on your policy: whether wind and hail carry a separate percentage deductible, and whether roof claims are paid at replacement cost or actual cash value, which deducts for an older roof's age.

On October 20, 2019, an EF-3 tornado tracked through North Dallas, damaging homes, schools, and businesses along Walnut Hill Lane and through Preston Hollow toward Richardson, according to the National Weather Service. Wind damage, including tornadoes, is generally covered by homeowners policies, subject to your wind and hail deductible.

The Trinity River runs through Dallas behind a levee system, and creeks like White Rock and Turtle Creek can flood during heavy rain. Standard homeowners policies don't cover flood. Check FEMA's flood map for your address and consider a separate flood policy.

High-rise and mid-rise condo owners need an HO-6 policy sized to what the association's master policy doesn't cover. Older homes may need details about foundation repairs, roof age, plumbing, and wiring. Foundation movement from expansive clay soils is common in North Texas, and most policies limit or exclude settling and earth movement, so ask what's covered.

Texas sets the minimum at 30/60/25. Your insurer has to offer PIP and uninsured motorist coverage, and you'd have to turn them down in writing. If your car is parked outside during a hailstorm, comprehensive is the coverage that pays.