Fast & affordable landlord insurance in Texas
Landlord insurance in Texas covers rental property damage, landlord liability, and income interruption. Coverage options and pricing vary by property type, regional weather exposure, and selected limits. Get a quote for Texas landlord insurance tailored to your rental.
We've gotten more than $776 million in property insured in Texas
What to know about rental properties in Texas
Texas is one of the most active rental markets in the country – and one of the riskiest. More than 37% of Texas households are renter-occupied, and this is the second-biggest state in the US by both land mass and population. That's a lot of renters; the state's rental market encompasses over 3.7 million renter-occupied housing units across 254 counties. And as the Austin, Dallas and Houston metro areas continue to see massive population growth, the opportunity for landlords only gets larger.
On the other hand, the state consistently ranks at or near the top of the list for federally declared natural disasters — hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, hailstorms across North Texas, tornadoes in the central plains, Texas has it all. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared Texas the most disaster-prone state for five consecutive years, with property damage from natural disasters exceeding $8 billion annually across residential and commercial properties.
Texas is considered one of the most landlord-friendly states in the country; there's no rent control, the eviction process allows landlords to issue a three-day notice to vacate for nonpayment, and landlords have broad flexibility to set security deposits and late fees.
So, the risk can often be worth the reward – if properly insured.
How landlord insurance works in Texas
A landlord insurance policy is designed specifically for homes you own but don't live in. It's different from a standard homeowners policy, which only covers owner-occupied properties. If you're renting out a single-family home, duplex, condo, or multi-family property in Texas, your homeowners insurance likely won't cover you for damage, liability claims, or lost rental income. That's the gap landlord insurance fills.
Standard coverage in a Texas landlord policy through Steadily typically includes three core protections:
Dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild the structure itself after a covered event like a fire, windstorm, or hail damage. It doesn't cover flooding, which is a notable concern for Texas landlords, so you may need a separate policy.
Liability coverage protects you if a tenant or visitor is injured on the property and files a claim or lawsuit — it can cover medical bills, legal fees, and court judgments.
Loss of rent coverage replaces the rental income you'd lose if the property becomes uninhabitable while repairs are being made after a covered claim.
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Do you need landlord insurance in Texas?
Texas leads the nation in weather-related property damage. A single hailstorm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can cause tens of thousands of dollars in roof and exterior damage. A hurricane along the Gulf Coast can generate six-figure repair bills. And liability claims from tenant injuries — a slip on a wet walkway, a fall on a broken stair — can wipe out years of rental income in legal costs alone.
The Insurance Information Institute reports that Texas accounts for nearly 25% of all catastrophic losses nationwide despite representing only 8.7% of the U.S. population. The Texas Department of Insurance has documented over 47,000 weather-related claims filed by rental property owners in the past three years, with average claim settlements exceeding $18,500 per incident when accounting for both structural damage and temporary relocation expenses.
Compared to the cost of repairs for a single incident, insurance premiums pale in comparison. Especially in a state that sees as much peril risk as Texas, going uninsured really isn't an option for a sound landlord business. Being landlord-friendly doesn't mean being risk-free.
Average cost of landlord insurance in Texas
Texas landlord insurance carries a median of around $1,714 per year, one of the higher figures nationally — and consistent with what landlords in the state often encounter when shopping. The risk environment in Texas is genuinely complex for all of the previously-discussed reasons, and that kind of volatile weather that makes for an active claims environment.
It's worth noting that the exact location of your property will matter quite a bit in determining your premium; Texas is an enormous state with vastly different risk profiles from the Gulf Coast to the plains to urban centers like Dallas and Houston. Your property type, its age, and condition will also determine where your actual premium lands relative to the median; it could be significantly higher or lower based on a variety of factors.
To get a quote on your rental property, all you need to do is enter your address and some other quick details below. Quotes are completely free and will be sent to your email within minutes.
DP-1 vs DP-3 comparison for Texas
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Properties we look after
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Coverages
We cover a wide range of risks, or you can choose a limited set of coverages for a lower premium
Riot & civil commotion
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers property damage caused by riots and civil commotion — broken windows, looted common areas, structural damage from unrest — so you're not absorbing those repair costs out of pocket.
Vandalism & burglary
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers malicious damage to your rental property from vandalism and break-ins, including broken doors and windows, defaced surfaces, and damaged appliances or fixtures left behind after a burglary.
Loss of rent
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers lost rental income when a covered event — fire, burst pipe, storm damage — makes your unit temporarily uninhabitable, replacing the rent you'd otherwise lose while repairs are underway.
Storm and hail
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers storm and hail damage to your rental property — roof punctures, broken windows, wind-torn siding, and fallen debris — plus lost rental income if the unit becomes uninhabitable after a severe weather event.
Water
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers sudden water damage from burst pipes, plumbing failures, and appliance overflow, along with lost rental income if the unit can't be occupied while repairs are completed.
Legal liability
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers your legal liability if a tenant or visitor is injured at your rental property, including their medical bills, your attorney fees, and any settlement or judgment if you're found responsible.
Fire
Landlord insurance from Steadily covers fire damage to your rental property's structure, smoke damage, personal property you own at the unit, and lost rental income during repairs — whether the cause is a kitchen fire, electrical fault, tenant negligence, or a wildfire.
FAQs
about landlord insurance in
Texas
Is landlord insurance required by law in Texas?
Texas doesn't have a statute requiring landlord insurance. However, it’s a question that many landlords in the Lone Star State ask — and the answer is that while it's not legally mandated, it's practically essential. Lenders require it on financed properties, and Texas faces hurricanes along the coast, tornadoes in North and Central Texas, and hail in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The financial risk of going uninsured is enormous.
Can my landlord require renters insurance in Texas?
Texas law allows landlords to require tenants to carry renters insurance as a condition of the lease. This is a common practice, especially among larger property management companies and in major metro areas like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. As long as the requirement is clearly stated in the lease and applied consistently, it's fully enforceable.
Does standard landlord insurance in Texas cover flood damage?
No — and this is a critical point for Texas landlords. Standard policies exclude flood damage entirely, and Texas is one of the most flood-prone states in the country. You'll need a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private flood insurer. Given the frequency of flash flooding, hurricane-related storm surge, and river flooding across Texas, treating flood coverage as optional is one of the most dangerous assumptions a landlord can make.
Is landlord insurance tax deductible in Texas?
Yes. Landlord insurance premiums are deductible as a business expense on your federal tax return, reported on Schedule E. This applies to dwelling coverage, liability, loss of rent, and any endorsements. Texas has no state income tax, which means federal deductions are the primary way to offset the cost of insurance and other rental expenses. Keeping detailed records of your premiums and all other rental-related expenses maximizes your deductions at filing time.
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