The Best Cheap Renters Insurance in Texas for 2023

The average cost of renters insurance in Texas is slightly below the national average, and shopping around can often lower your rates even further. To help you narrow the options, NerdWallet compared companies across the state to find the best cheap renters insurance in Texas.

How much is renters insurance in Texas?

The average cost of renters insurance in Texas is $177 a year, or about $15 a month. That’s close to the national average of $179 a year.

Renters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area pay about $179 a year, on average, while those in Houston pay a higher average rate of $213 a year. Here’s how the cost of Texas renters insurance breaks down in 25 of the state’s largest cities:

» MORE: The best cheap renters insurance

Cheap renters insurance companies in Texas

NerdWallet analyzed rates across the state from a variety of companies to find the ones offering the cheapest Texas renters insurance. Below are seven companies with average rates below the state average of $177.

About the cheapest companies

Chubb: One benefit of a Chubb renters policy is that it covers your belongings on a “replacement cost” basis. That means if your stuff is stolen or destroyed, the company will pay enough to buy brand-new replacements, without reducing your payout for depreciation. Chubb also draws significantly fewer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Allstate: An Allstate renters policy is worth considering for older tenants, as you may be eligible for a discount of up to 25% for being at least 55 years old and retired. You may also be able to save by bundling your renters policy with Allstate auto insurance. The Allstate website offers a variety of useful features, including claim tracking, online quotes and coverage advice. Learn more in our Allstate renters insurance review.

Amica: Amica offers several ways to save on renters insurance, including up to 15% off if you bundle your auto policy with renters. You’ll also pay less if you sign up for paperless billing or set up automatic payments for your premiums. You may be able to add extra coverage for identity theft recovery or increase your coverage limits for valuable items such as computers. Check out our Amica renters insurance review for more info.

Nationwide: Along with standard coverage for liability and personal belongings, Nationwide renters insurance includes coverage for expenses due to theft, like unauthorized credit or debit card transactions and forged checks. You may also be able to add coverage for jewelry and other valuables or for damage due to backed-up drains. Learn more in our Nationwide renters insurance review.

Mercury: If you live in a gated community with a guard, have smoke alarms or bundle auto and renters insurance with Mercury, you may be able to save money on your renters policy. Potential add-ons to your policy include identity management services to guard against identity theft and home systems protection to fix appliances and electronics if they break.

Guard: Renters with Guard may be able to get multi-policy discounts and add a variety of extra coverage types for things like identity fraud and home systems protection. However, the company has drawn more consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the NAIC.

USAA: Unlike most insurance companies, USAA includes coverage for flood damage as part of its renters policies. It also covers your stuff on a replacement cost basis, meaning that your claim payouts won’t be reduced just because some of your belongings have lost value since you first bought them. But only veterans, active military and their families can buy USAA renters insurance. Check out our USAA renters insurance review to learn more.

» MORE: What does renters insurance cover?

Cheap Texas renters insurance from the best companies

If you’re looking to buy insurance from widely available companies with a strong reputation, consider one of the following insurers from NerdWallet’s list of best renters insurance companies. Click on each company’s name to read our review.

What to know about Texas renters insurance

Natural disasters, such as tornadoes and tropical storms, happen regularly in Texas. If one strikes your home, your landlord’s insurance will cover only the building structure, not any damage to your possessions. That’s why it’s important to know what’s covered (or not) when shopping for renters insurance in Texas.

Flooding is the state’s most common disaster, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services^[0]

Renting a place on the Gulf Coast? Make sure your renters insurance covers damage from hurricane and tropical storm winds. Though many standard renters policies cover wind-related claims, such coverage may be specifically excluded if you live in high-risk areas near the coast. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is operated by the state and offers wind and hail policies to those who can’t find coverage elsewhere.

» MORE: Hurricane prep: What Texas renters need to know

Even if you’re not in an area prone to hurricanes, you may still want to check your wind coverage. More than 100 tornadoes strike the state each year, on average.

Wildfires are another common disaster in Texas, and while most renters policies cover losses due to fire, you’ll want to make sure you have enough personal property coverage to replace all your belongings if the worst happens. The calculator below can help you estimate how much your possessions are worth.

What determines Texas renters insurance rates?

You may pay more or less than the average annual premiums listed above, depending on various factors.

Your location

If you live on the Gulf Coast where hurricanes are common, or in a neighborhood with a high crime rate, you may pay more for a renters policy.

Your credit

Many insurance companies use a credit-based insurance score — similar to a traditional credit score — to evaluate how likely you might be to file a claim. People with better credit tend to get cheaper renters insurance rates.

In our rate analysis, Chubb was the cheapest renters insurance company in Texas for tenants with poor credit, charging $149 a year, on average.

» MORE: How poor credit could raise your renters insurance rates

Your claims history

If you’ve filed any renters insurance claims in the past few years, your insurer may charge more for your policy. NerdWallet analyzed Texas renters insurance rates for tenants who’d previously filed a theft claim and found that Chubb was the cheapest option, charging just $93 a year, on average.

Your coverage limits

If you have more possessions — or particularly valuable possessions — to cover, you’ll typically pay more for renters insurance.

Your deductible

Raising your deductible is an easy way to lower your Texas renters insurance premium, as long as you feel confident you can access enough cash to pay it if necessary.

Other policies

If you buy your renters and auto insurance from the same company, you can often get a bundling discount.

Your home’s features

Home security systems, fire alarms and 24-hour building security guards could earn you discounts.

Your dog

Dog bites are a common cause of renters liability insurance claims. So if your pup is a breed that insurance companies consider high-risk, such as a pit bull or Doberman pinscher, your premium might be higher (if the animal is covered at all).

» MORE: Personal liability renters insurance: What you need to know

Texas Department of Insurance

If you have questions, concerns or complaints about your renters insurance, the Texas Department of Insurance may be able to assist. You can call its consumer helpline at 800-252-3439 for service in both English and Spanish.

When you buy or renew a renters policy in Texas, your insurance company is required to give you a copy of the department’s Consumer Bill of Rights for renters insurance. This document is worth a read: It explains how Texas insurance companies can use your credit information, establishes timelines for claims processing and lists circumstances under which your policy can and can’t be canceled.

Want more insurance in Texas? Check out these resources: