If you've recently tried to get a homeowners insurance quote from Progressive in Texas and been turned away, you're not alone. Progressive has temporarily restricted new homeowners business in the state, citing the fact that nearly 40 percent of their nationwide storm losses come from Texas alone.
For Texas homeowners — especially those in hail-prone areas like DFW, North Texas, and the I-35 corridor — this means one fewer option when shopping for coverage. But it doesn't mean you're stuck. Here's what's happening, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
Why Did Progressive Pull Back in Texas?
Texas is the most expensive state in the country for property insurance claims, and it's not particularly close. Hail, wind, hurricanes along the coast, flooding, and the occasional winter freeze create a claims environment that's uniquely challenging for insurers.
Progressive made the business decision to temporarily pause writing new homeowners policies in Texas while they reassess their exposure. They're not the first carrier to do this — several Encompass subsidiaries and smaller homeowners carriers have made similar moves in recent years.
The key word is "temporarily." Progressive hasn't exited Texas homeowners entirely. They're still servicing existing policyholders and continuing to write auto and commercial insurance in the state. But if you're shopping for a new homeowners policy, Progressive currently isn't an option.
What This Means for Texas Homeowners
The immediate impact is fewer choices in the marketplace. When a major carrier like Progressive restricts new business, it concentrates demand among the remaining carriers. That can lead to longer quote turnaround times, stricter underwriting requirements, and in some cases, higher premiums.
If you were specifically counting on Progressive for a bundled auto and home discount, you'll need to rethink your strategy. The good news is that bundling with a single carrier isn't always the cheapest approach anyway. An independent agent can often find you a better deal by placing your auto with one carrier and your home with another — the combined total may beat any bundle discount.
Who's Still Writing Homeowners in Texas?
Despite Progressive's pullback, there are still plenty of carriers actively writing homeowners insurance in Texas. The market hasn't dried up — it's just shifted. Here's the landscape:
Legacy carriers like State Farm, Allstate, and Farmers are maintaining relatively stable appetite in Texas, though they're being more selective about roof age and claims history. State Farm's property combined ratio is running near 108 percent (meaning they're paying out more in claims than they collect in premium), so don't expect rock-bottom pricing, but they're still writing business.
Regional and specialty carriers that focus specifically on Texas — companies like Swyfft, Homeowners of America, and others — often have a better understanding of local risk factors and may offer more competitive rates for well-maintained homes.
Surplus lines carriers are available for homes that standard carriers won't touch — older roofs, prior claims, or high-value properties in storm-prone zip codes. These policies typically cost more but provide coverage when other options are exhausted.
TWIA (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association) covers wind and hail damage in the 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County where private carriers won't write that coverage. If you're on the coast, TWIA is likely part of your insurance picture regardless of Progressive's decision.
What You Should Do Right Now
Don't panic, but don't wait either. If your homeowners policy renewal is coming up in the next 90 days, start shopping now. The carriers still writing in Texas are being more selective, and quotes take longer to process during spring storm season.
Check your roof. Roof age is the single biggest factor in homeowners insurance underwriting in Texas right now. Many carriers are restricting coverage for roofs older than 10 to 15 years, regardless of condition. If your roof is approaching that threshold, get an inspection and document its condition. If it needs replacing, doing so before your renewal can open up significantly better rates and more carrier options.
Understand your wind and hail deductible. Carriers in North Texas and DFW are increasingly applying percentage-based wind and hail deductibles — typically 1 to 2 percent of your dwelling coverage amount. On a home insured for $300,000, a 2 percent hail deductible means you're responsible for the first $6,000 of hail damage. Make sure you understand what you're signing up for.
Document your home's condition. Take photos and video of your roof, exterior, and major systems. This protects you in two ways: it helps with claims if damage occurs, and it gives your agent ammunition to present your home favorably to underwriters.
Work with an independent agent. This is the most important step you can take. A captive agent who only represents one carrier has one option for you. If that carrier restricts business or raises rates, you're stuck. An independent agent shops your policy across multiple carriers and can move you to a better option when the market shifts — which is exactly what's happening right now.
How TAP Insurance Can Help
At TAP Insurance Agency, we work with multiple homeowners carriers that are still actively writing new business in Texas. We specialize in finding coverage for homes in North Texas and the DFW area — including properties that have been turned down by other carriers due to roof age, claims history, or location.
We also review your current coverage to make sure you're not overpaying or underinsured. With the market shifting as carriers like Progressive pull back, now is the time to get a second opinion on your homeowners insurance.
Need a homeowners insurance quote? Call us at (800) 666-2254, text us at (817) 646-6700, or visit
tapinsuretx.com. We're open Monday through Friday 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays 9 AM to 6 PM. We serve all of Texas, with deep expertise in DFW, Wise County, and the North Texas region.
