Weather and storms

May 15, 2025

An emergency go kit helps you survive a disaster

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Texas gets walloped by hail, tornadoes, hurricanes—even freezing blizzards.

Before disaster looms, put together an emergency go kit so you and your family can scoot in a hurry.

Some emergency kit tips:

Set aside three gallons of water per person, enough to last three days.
Also pack non-perishable food, a can opener, utensils, battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries. Remember to have chargers for your gizmos and cell phone too.
Put water and food supplies in your car, just in case.

An expert talks about how to build your kit in this Texas Insurance Podcast.

Learn more

Build a kit (Texas Division of Emergency Management)
TexasReady.gov

April 25, 2025

Tips to avoid a tornado: Follow weather reports

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You’re driving home from work, inching along in highway traffic. Then you hear a tornado warning on the radio. Or worse, you see a tornado twisting your way.

Don’t get yourself into that situation!

A National Weather Service expert urges everyone to follow the weather, especially during the spring and summer tornado and hurricane seasons.

If your city or county is under a tornado watch, plan to be inside a building—and not sitting in your car or truck.

Learn more

April 4, 2025

Danger, danger! Don’t mix up tornado watches and warnings

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Ever mix up a tornado watch with a tornado warning?

Big difference!

A tornado watch means keep an eye out for a possible tornado.
A tornado warning means a tornado’s been spotted in your city or county.

Tornado warning in your area? Take cover.

People in a warning zone need to take cover immediately. If you’re in a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home, leave and head to the closest building if you have time.

If you’re in a house or building, go to an interior room, bathroom, or closet on the lowest level. Cover yourself with blankets, towels, or a mattress to stay safe from falling debris. Never open windows; it doesn’t help equalize pressure. But you should shut all your doors because that will help reduce the chance that your roof will blow off.

If you’re driving, don’t stop under bridges or overpasses. They don’t offer protection from tornadic winds or flying debris. If you can’t get to a building, lie flat and face down in the nearest ditch or depression. Cover your head with your hands.

Tornado watch in your area? Get ready.

Tune in to your local weather report to keep track of the tornado watch. Get ready to move to a safe space.

A tornado watch area is often large, covering counties, even states.

If you are under a tornado watch:

Review your emergency plans.
Bring in or secure outdoor objects that might blow around.
Check supplies, such as batteries, flashlights, water, non-perishable food, and medicines.
Identify your safe room.

Summing up: A tornado watch means get ready. A tornado warning means move quickly to safety.

Learn more

Are you prepared for a tornado? Here’s how to protect your home
What are some common facts about tornadoes? (video)
For more insurance tips, visit our before the storm page.
Division of Workers' Compensation tips: Tornado Safety (PDF) | Seguridad en caso de tornados (PDF)

March 28, 2025

Flooded home or car? What to do next.

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If your home or car has flood damage, insurance could help you recover.

Some tips for property owners:

Take photos or video of the damage as soon as it’s safe. Don’t throw away damaged items until you talk to your insurance adjuster.
If your home floods, call your insurance company to file a claim as soon as possible. If you have a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), call 877-336-2627. NFIP policies require you to file a claim within 60 days. If you can’t find your insurer’s phone number, call the TDI Help Line at 800-252-3439.
Most home and renters policies don’t cover flood damage, but there are exceptions. Even if you lack flood coverage, you still might need a denial from your insurance company to apply for disaster assistance if available.

You can also make an insurance claim if you have other damage. Most home policies cover damage from wind or falling tree limbs. They also might cover damage to fences and other structures on your property.

If your car floods:

File an auto insurance claim if you have comprehensive coverage; it covers flood damage.
Take photos or video of the damage. If it’s safe to do so, also take pictures of your car in the water.
Talk to a mechanic before trying to dry out a car that got water inside. It may have hidden damage.

Have insurance questions? Call the TDI Help Line at 800-252-3439.

Learn more

January 21, 2025

Does insurance cover fallen tree branches?

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Will insurance pay when a tree crashes down on your car or house?

Sometimes.

If a tree or branch falls on your house or car, use these tips:

Take photos of the damage before you move the tree, make repairs, or take other steps to prevent more damage.
Make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, and contact your agent or insurance company as soon as possible.
Save your receipts for reimbursement. Your homeowner policy should cover materials and labor used to make repairs.

FAQ about trees that fell in your yard

A tree fell on my house and damaged my roof. Will my homeowners pay for repairs?

Many policies pay for damages from falling objects, like trees. Call your agent or company to ask if your policy will pay.

A tree fell in my yard. Will my homeowners policy pay for tree removal?

Many policies provide some coverage to remove trees or limbs that fell due to storm damage and damage your house or block your driveway. Trees and limbs falling in your yard usually aren’t covered. Call your agent or company to ask if your policy will pay.

My neighbor's tree fell on my house. Will my neighbor´s homeowners policy pay for the damage and tree removal?

Probably not, unless your neighbor was at fault. Your neighbor isn’t responsible for acts of nature. If your neighbor's policy doesn’t pay, you can file a claim under your own policy.

A tree fell on my car. Will my auto insurance pay for the damage to my car?

Your auto policy will pay for damages if you have comprehensive coverage.

If the tree was your neighbor’s, their homeowners insurance might pay if your neighbor is somehow at fault. If not, their policy likely won’t pay because your neighbor isn’t responsible for an act of nature.

Other questions? Call our Help Line at 800-252-3439.

Learn more

January 20, 2025

Power out, food spoiled? Your insurance might help.

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If you lose power and the food in your refrigerator spoils, can your insurance help?

Possibly.

Some homeowners and renters policies will pay up to $500 for spoiled food if the power fails under certain circumstances. Call your agent or company to ask if your policy will pay. Sometimes there is not a deductible.

Take pictures or keep a list of the food that spoiled.

And clean any food spoilage to prevent damage to your refrigerator.

Have other insurance questions? Call the TDI Help Line, 800-252-3439, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Learn more

January 17, 2025

Avoid frozen pipes and costly water damage by taking steps now

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Freezing temperatures can cause frozen pipes.

But by taking simple steps now, you could head off thousands of dollars of water damage to your walls, ceilings, carpets, and furniture.

Key tips

Install inexpensive wraps on exposed pipes. Start in the attic, where many Texas homeowners saw pipes freeze last winter.
Wrap your outdoor faucets.
Whether you own your home or live in an apartment or condo, identify water shutoff valves indoors and out. This will ready you for cutting off the water if a freeze poses risks.
Don’t delay preparations until a freeze looms. Act now to ease your worries.

In this TDI video, How to prevent pipes from freezing, an expert with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners shows several preventive steps you can take (plus, he spots a toad).

Learn more

January 16, 2025

Another Texas freeze in forecast? Podcast has steps to protect your home.

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Just saying “freeze” can make a Texan flinch.

But you can take steps to protect your home before temperatures drop.

For starters, wrap indoor pipes with insulation. Wrap your attic pipes first.

And when a freeze happens, you can run water through your indoor faucets – hot and cold – before you go to sleep. Or you can let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps. Be sure to follow your local government’s instructions, which may limit water use.

Hear more about prepping your home on “The Texas Insurance Podcast,” featuring David Yelovich, a Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners board member. Our podcast closes with TDI advice on insurance and water-related damage.

January 15, 2025

Unknown fire hazards in your home

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Most people know that stoves, ovens, and candles are dangerous and can start fires.

But there are other fire risks in your home that you might not have thought about:

Dryers. Clean your lint filter before each use. Make sure the air exhaust vent pipe leads to the outside and is unblocked. Clean the lint out of your vent pipe every three months. There are tools available at local home improvement stores that allow you to do it yourself. Or, you can hire a professional or get your apartment’s maintenance to do this. You want clothes to be fire, not on fire.
Kitchen appliances. Our kitchens have all sorts of gadgets, like air fryers, microwaves, and coffee makers. Plug your appliances into a wall outlet, never an extension cord. Place them where they won’t get bumped or knocked over.
Lithium-ion batteries. Smartphones, laptops, hoverboards – so many devices in our homes now use lithium-ion batteries. Don’t overcharge your devices, and don’t place them on a pillow, bed, or couch while charging. Keep devices that use lithium-ion batteries at room temperature.

If there is a fire in your house, get out and stay out. Use your cell phone to call for help or ask a neighbor to call 911.

January 6, 2025

Ways to stay safe during cold weather

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Wintry conditions could lead more Texans to rely on space heaters and other ways to stay warm. The Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office shares these tips to stay safe.

Caution with space heaters

In the last few years, several fatal fires in Texas were started by space heaters. Here are tips for keeping your family safe.

Inspect a heater before you use it. Make sure there are no cracked or broken plugs or loose connections.
Always plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Don’t use extension cords or power strips.
Keep your space heater at least three feet from anything that can burn.
Turn off your space heaters before you leave the room or go to bed. Look for models that shut off automatically when tipped over.

Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Cars, trucks, stoves, grills, fireplaces, and many appliances that burn fuel can generate carbon monoxide. You can’t see or smell it, but if enough builds up, it can be deadly.

If there’s too much carbon monoxide nearby, you may feel short of breath, have a headache, or feel dizziness, nausea, or weakness.

Use these tips to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning:

Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
Never leave a car or truck running in a garage.
Never use a charcoal grill or portable camping stove inside.
Never use a portable generator in your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open. Only use these devices outdoors, and more than 20 feet away from open doors or windows.
Never use a stove to heat your home.
When using a fireplace, make sure first that the flue is open.
If your carbon monoxide or smoke alarm go off, do not ignore it. When the alarm sounds, make sure everyone goes outdoors. Call 9-1-1 and stay outdoors until emergency responders say it’s safe to go back in.

Resources

December 12, 2024

Prepare your home before winter’s fury hits

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Winter’s cold can freeze and burst your home’s pipes, causing costly misery.

But you can prepare before the temperature falls.

Before a freeze:

Wrap outdoor and indoor pipes in unheated areas (like a clothes washer in your garage).
Remove water hoses and wrap outdoor pipes.
Drain and turn off your lawn sprinkler system.

Inside, open cabinets under sinks to let your home’s heat warm the pipes. Let faucets drip from the cold and hot taps or run water through your indoor faucets – hot and cold – before you go to sleep.

If your pipes freeze, turn off the water at the shutoff valve. This prevents broken pipes from leaking into your house after they thaw.

Learn about prepping your home and car for winter’s cold in TDI's Texas Insurance Podcast.

Learn more

November 4, 2024

When a storm enters the gulf, it’s too late to ask: ‘Do I have enough insurance?’

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Once a named storm enters the gulf, most insurance companies, including the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), stop selling new policies or making changes to existing ones.

That means you can’t wait until a storm is approaching to think about your insurance coverage, because you won’t be able to buy or change it then!

Of course, this is especially critical for Texans with homes near the Gulf Coast. But the effects of a hurricane, like flooding and tornado force winds, can extend well beyond the coast.

Which leads us to another key point, flood insurance. Most home policies don’t pay for damage from rising flood waters. Most people buy flood coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. And unless you’re buying coverage for a new home, these policies don’t go into effect until 30 days after you buy them.

So again, you can’t wait until a storm is coming to ask: “Am I covered?”

Learn more

September 9, 2024

How to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm

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Hurricanes and tropical systems can bring strong winds and rain. Here’s how you can prepare:

1. Invest in a weather radio

Have a way to get updates if cell services or power lines go down. Many weather radios now work as backup power banks with ports to plug in your phone and with solar and crank handles to recharge the battery.

2. Add your agent to your phone contacts

Put your agent and insurance company in the contact list on your phone. Make copies of important documents, such as your policy’s declaration page and auto and health ID cards and email them to yourself so you can get to them if you have to evacuate.

3. Prepare your home

Remove dead tree limbs and branches that hang over your house.
Check for items that can become windborne, such as yard furniture or trampolines, and tie them down or bring them inside.
Clean gutters to let the water drain faster.
Close doors to keep your roof on.
If you plan on using a generator if the power goes out, make sure you have enough fuel. If you haven’t used it in a while, make sure it starts.

4. Be ready to evacuate

Pack a bag with your insurance policies, home inventory, health plan cards, medication, water, and food in case you need to leave your house.
If you have pets, make sure you have their vaccination records, food, water, leash, collar, tags, and crate.
Keep your gas tank full.
Plan an evacuation and a backup evacuation route.
Let family members know where you’ll meet if you need to evacuate.

5. Listen to the news

Follow any evacuation orders from your local government.

Learn more

Before the storm
Home inventory (video)
How to safely use a portable generator (video)
How to prepare for hurricane season (video)
Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Disaster information page

May 24, 2024

Experts predict an active hurricane season. Use our tips to prepare.

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Texas has been hit by more than 25 major hurricanes
over the years (NOAA illustration).

Click on image to enlarge

Texas and the U.S. could be in for a busy hurricane season.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that 17 to 25 named storms could develop over the Atlantic Ocean during hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Eight to 13 of the storms could develop into hurricanes, NOAA says, four to seven of them major storms.

Colorado State University experts expect 17 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of them major storms. They warn there’s an 70% chance that a named storm hits Texas this hurricane season.

The good news is that Texans have time now to prepare.

Some tips:

Consider buying flood insurance. Flood damage isn’t usually covered by your home insurance. Don’t wait long: It typically takes 30 days for flood policies to take effect.
Write a family disaster plan. Start on the TexasReady.gov website
Decide where and how far you’ll go if you evacuate.
Build a “go kit” with food, medicine, clothes, pet food, and other vital supplies.
Make a room-by-room home inventory. This could help later if you file a claim.

Learn more

Plan to be safe before a hurricane hits Texas

Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property

Flood insurance: Why you need a policy

Before the storm

May 10, 2024

Can I make an insurance claim for additional living expenses?

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Texans with flood damage might be wondering if their homeowner policies pay for hotels, food, and other expenses if they need to leave during repairs.

When do policies pay for additional living expenses?

Homeowners and renters policies may cover additional living expenses if you can’t stay in your home because it was damaged by an event that’s covered in your policy.

For example, you need to move out during repairs because a tornado damaged your house, and your home policy covers tornadoes.

If you left your house because of a power outage or evacuation – and your home wasn’t damaged – your policy won’t cover additional living expenses.

Does my home policy cover floods?

Most home policies don’t cover floods.

Some people buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). But NFIP policies don’t pay for additional living expenses.

If your home policy includes flood coverage, it probably will pay for additional living expenses.

Call your agent or company to ask if you have a NFIP flood policy or have flood coverage in your home policy.

Learn more

April 4, 2024

Do you need flood insurance as a renter?

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If you rent your home or apartment, you may have bought renters insurance to protect your belongings from theft, fire, or damage from a burst pipe.

But there’s more to consider. Renters policies typically don’t pay for losses due to floods. But a flood insurance policy could.

If a flood causes damage or loss, your flood policy covers personal belongings such as clothing, furniture, electronics, kitchenware, and curtains.

A flood policy doesn’t cover cash, precious metals, stock certificates, and other valuable papers. A policy also doesn’t cover cars, trucks, or personal property kept in a basement.

Shop before storm season. It typically takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect.

Ask your insurance agent if they sell flood insurance. If not, you can buy a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. You can also call them at 877-336-2627.

Learn more

March 14, 2024

Any place can flood. Do you have flood insurance?

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It can rain and flood anywhere. And most home insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. You might want to buy flood insurance.

One inch of water in a home or apartment can cause up to $26,000 in damage.

To shop for coverage, talk to your insurance provider. If they don’t offer a flood policy, go online to floodsmart.gov to find providers.

A flood policy takes effect 30 days after purchase. It’s wise to shop before hurricane season, which begins June 1.

Get expert advice on flood insurance in this Texas Insurance Podcast.

Learn more

August 3, 2023

Coastal Texans can turn to TWIA for hail, windstorm coverage

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In August 1970, Hurricane Celia slammed ashore at Corpus Christi, killing and injuring residents and leaving previously unheard-of hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.

In response to insurance companies increasing rates or no longer selling wind and hail coverage along the Gulf Coast, state lawmakers in 1971 launched the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).

TWIA continues to serve as the wind and hail insurer of last resort for property owners in Texas’ 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County. TWIA currently backs more than 237,000 policies.

If you live in a coastal community, read your homeowners policy to see if it covers hail and wind damage. If not, contact your insurance agent to see what options you have for coverage.

Eric Casas, TWIA ombudsman at the Texas Department of Insurance, cautions against assuming you can go without wind or hail coverage just because your home hasn’t been hit by a terrible storm. And if you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have windstorm coverage.

Hear more tips about protecting your home from hail and wind damage in this episode of the Texas Insurance Podcast.

Learn more

May 2, 2023

Plan to be safe before a hurricane hits Texas

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A picture of emergency supplies with the podcast title, Preparing for hurricane season.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) regularly leads the state’s response to natural disasters including summer storms and hurricanes.

It also wants Texans to plan ahead to stay safe.

For instance, it’s a good idea to keep emergency “go kits”— basic disaster supplies including food, water, medicine, clothes, and other vital items — in your home, office, and car.

Also wise: Settle with family members ahead of time where you’re going to go if a bad storm hits. And if you think you might need flood insurance, shop before you hear a scary weather forecast. It takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect.

View podcast Q&A: How to prepare for hurricane season

Learn more

April 6, 2023

Prepare your home and family for spring Texas storms

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A spring hurricane is unlikely. The latest one, Hurricane Alma, fizzled out near Cuba in May 1970.

Still, spring rains, hail, wind and even tornadoes can threaten homes, cars, and lives.

Some storm preparation tips:

Paul Yura of the National Weather Service suggests you keep three days of food, water and other supplies, including pet food, on hand.
Also, Yura says, decide well ahead of time where your family will go if dangerous weather approaches.
Count on weather alerts on your cell phone. But, Yura says, also keep a weather radio handy, with fresh batteries. Sometimes the phone runs out of juice.

View podcast Q&A: How to prepare for spring storms

Learn more

January 30, 2023

Even experienced drivers need reminders about driving in winter weather

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Bad weather and sloppy roads cause nearly a half a million auto accidents and more than 2,000 deaths each winter according to AAA.

Don’t feel helpless on your drive and prepare for bad road conditions. Here are some winter weather driving safety tips:

Keep cold weather items like ice scrapers, blankets, gloves, and layered clothing in your vehicle.
Maintain an emergency kit for your vehicle with a cell phone charger, flashlight, battery-operated radio, and jumper cables.
Inflate your tires correctly and make sure there is tread.
Check to see if your battery is in good shape.
Never warm up your vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage or place with poor ventilation. This will put you at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and death.
Avoid using cruise control in slippery road conditions.

In TDI’s Texas Insurance podcast, we talk to Sonja Gross from the Texas Department of Transportation about what Texans should know before driving in winter weather.

Before starting a trip, visit DriveTexas.org to see if roads are closed due to weather conditions.

Listen to our podcast for winter safety driving tips.

January 17, 2023

Texas law encourages renters to buy flood coverage

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A Texas law (House Bill 531) emphasizes that renters insurance doesn’t pay for flood damage.

Renters insurance, available for about $20 a month, pays to repair or replace the things you own if they’re damaged by fire, smoke, theft or vandalism, and certain kinds of water damage.

But most renters policies don’t pay for losses caused by floods.

Renters worried about flooding should consider buying a separate flood policy. Ask your agent if they sell flood insurance. If not, you can buy a policy from the National Flood Insurance Program. You can also call them at 877-336-2627.

Landlords are now required to:

Tell potential renters if they know the dwelling is in a 100-year flood plain.
Tell potential renters if they know the dwelling had flood damage at least once in the previous five years.
Encourage renters to buy flood insurance.

Even if your home isn’t in a flood plain, you might want to consider a policy. Flooding can happen anywhere at any time. Poor drainage systems, broken water mains, neighborhood construction, and summer storms can result in flooding.

Learn more

May 5, 2022

Will your car’s rubber tires keep you safe from a lightning strike?

True or false: Your car’s rubber tires will protect you if lightning strikes your car.

False!

John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council says it’s the type of car – not the tires – that protect you from lightning. You’re the safest in a hard-topped vehicle. When lightning hits, he says, the shock gets dispersed by your car’s metal shell and keeps the people inside safe.

Tire twist: If your car or truck has steel-belted tires, a lightning strike can blow them out.

Learn more from Jensenius about staying safe from lightning on the latest episode of the Texas Insurance Podcast.

View podcast Q&A: How to stay safe from lightning

Learn more

March 31, 2022

Staying safe when lightning strikes

In any given year, your odds of getting struck by lightning are one in 1.5 million. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? But across your lifetime, the odds don’t look that great – they go to one in 1,800. Of course, the odds of you getting hit go higher if you ignore the dangers of thunderstorms.

Heed these tips and avoid zaps from the sky:

If you’re outdoors and you see lightning or hear thunder, enter a sturdy building or get inside a car and close the windows.
Stay away from utility poles and metal fences. And get out of cars with soft tops, tractors, and motorcycles.
Don’t lie flat on the ground or in a ditch. Run to the nearest building or car. If your hair stands on end, squat down, and put your head between your knees.
If you’re indoors, stay away from windows, plugged-in appliances, computers, and power tools. And don’t take a shower or bath, wash dishes, or stand near plumbing; water pipes conduct electricity.

There are also ways to protect your house from lightning.

Homeowners can invest in a lightning protection system, which has three parts:

Lightning rod: Intercepts the lightning.
Down conductor: Takes energy from the lightning down the side of the building.
Ground terminals or grounding rods: Takes the energy from the down conductor and puts it deep into the ground.

If you want to install a lightning protection system, hire a professional certified by the Lightning Protection Institute.

In our latest This Is TDI video, John Jensenius of the National Lightning Safety Council talks about:

Common outdoor activities that put people at risk of being struck by lightning.
The odds of getting struck.
How to protect your home.

Learn more

November 18, 2021

Does insurance cover water damage caused by burst pipes?

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When Winter Storm Uri covered Texas in ice and snow in February 2021, it caused more than $8 billion in insured losses. Texans filed more than 450,000 insurance claims after the storm. A lot of that damage was caused by water from broken pipes.

In our latest video, we asked our Property and Casualty Division what Texans need to know about insurance coverage for water damage.

Most homeowners policies cover water damage from leaks and broken pipes, but there are exceptions. Always read your policy to see what’s covered.
If you rent, the owner’s policy won’t cover your furniture, electronics, clothing, or other personal items. Consider buying renters insurance to cover your things.
If you have a leak, turn the water off at the main and move expensive items off the floor. Your insurer may deny your claim if you don’t protect your property.
Home and renter’s insurance only cover leaks that happen inside your home. They don’t cover flood damage. You need a separate policy to cover flooding. Visit floodsmart.gov for more information.

For tips about damages caused by issues like burst pipes, see When are Water Damage and Mold Covered by Insurance?

There are also steps you can take to protect you home and property from winter damage.

June 10, 2021

You live in a floodplain

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Your home lender may only require flood insurance if you live in an area at high risk of flooding, but we all live in a floodplain. We talked to a FEMA expert about how flood insurance works and why you may need it.

Check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to see if you live in or near a flood hazard area. But as the FEMA expert explained, even those living outside high risk areas may flood. He said as many as 65% of disaster assistance claims for flood damage have come from people living outside areas designated as flood hazard areas.

He also explained the limits of disaster assistance. It’s not a substitute for flood insurance. First, you can only get disaster assistance after a disaster declaration. And disaster assistance is designed to help you get back on your feet – to make your home livable – but not to rebuild it as it was before. For that, you need flood insurance.

Just one inch of water can cause $26,000 of damage to a home. To make sure you’re protected, ask your insurance agent or company about flood insurance.

To learn more, go to FloodSmart.gov or review these tips.

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