Does home insurance cover water damage in Texas?
What a Texas homeowners policy usually pays for, what it usually does not, and the deadlines your insurance company has to meet after you file.
Last checked: November 3, 2026. General information, not advice for your property.
Usually covered, usually not
| Usually covered (sudden and accidental) | Usually not covered |
|---|---|
| A pipe that suddenly bursts or breaks (TDI) | A slow leak or seepage that went on for weeks or months (TDI) |
| A water heater, washer hose or toilet supply line that suddenly fails | Mold from a gradual leak (TDI) |
| Rain that comes in through storm damage to the roof or a window | Flood: rising water from outside, including bayou and street flooding (TDI) |
This is the usual pattern described by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). Policies differ, and some add or remove coverage, such as sewer and drain backup, by endorsement. Your policy wording is what counts.
Flood is a separate policy
Water that rises from the ground, a bayou or the street is flood, and standard home policies do not cover it. Flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy. See flood insurance in the Houston area. (Harris County Flood Control District)
Steps that protect your claim
- Stop the water and prevent more damage if you can do it safely. Keep receipts for what you buy.
- Photograph and film the damage and the cause before cleanup. Keep the failed part.
- Report the claim promptly. Write down the claim number and every call.
- Ask the adjuster what they need from you and from the restoration company.
- Get a written estimate from the company you choose. You choose who does the work.
Deadlines for your insurance company in Texas
Texas law sets deadlines for insurers once you file a claim. TDI summarizes them: (Texas Department of Insurance)
- The company must acknowledge your claim within 15 business days.
- It must accept or deny the claim within 15 business days after it gets everything it needs to decide.
- If it needs more time, it must tell you why, and then it can take up to 45 more days.
If you have a problem with your claim, TDI runs a consumer help line at 800-252-3439. (Texas Department of Insurance)
Choose your area, compare real local restoration companies, and send one free request to the one you pick.
Questions people ask
Does homeowners insurance cover water damage in Texas?
Most Texas homeowners and renters policies cover sudden and accidental water damage, such as a burst pipe, according to the Texas Department of Insurance. Slow leaks, seepage, mold from those leaks, and flood are usually not covered.
Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Standard Texas home policies do not cover flood. Flood coverage needs a separate policy from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private insurer.
How long does an insurance company have to respond to a claim in Texas?
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, it must acknowledge the claim within 15 business days, then accept or deny it within 15 business days after it gets what it needs to decide. If it explains why it needs more time, it can take up to 45 more days.
Do I have to use the restoration company my insurer suggests?
You choose who does the work. Ask your adjuster what they need, get a written estimate from the company you pick, and read anything before you sign it.
Related guides
Houston Water Damage Guide is not a restoration company. We are a free referral directory run by Rank First Labs Ltd. This guide is general information. When water is near electricity, a ceiling is sagging, or the water is from sewage or a flood, keep out and call a professional.