The Best and Cheapest Renters Insurance in Texas

It’s smart to buy renters insurance in Texas to protect your finances in case of hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. A policy can reimburse you if someone steals your stuff, too. The average cost of renters insurance in Texas is $165 per year, or $14 per month. But you can find more affordable rates by shopping around. NerdWallet compared companies across the state to find the cheapest renters insurance in Texas, plus the best options for coverage.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

NerdWallet analyzed rates across the state to find the companies with the cheapest Texas renters insurance. Below are the most affordable options.

» MORE: The cheapest renters insurance

If you’re looking for quality coverage from a top-rated insurer, consider buying a policy from one of these companies.

More about the best renters insurance companies in Texas

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

Amica stands out for strong customer service. It scored above average for consumer satisfaction in a recent JD Power study[1] and draws a very low rate of complaints. If you’re hoping to buy a home someday, ask about Amica’s Renters Rewards program. It lets you earn up to $500 in credit toward a future homeowners policy from Amica.

Average rates: Not available.

» READ MORE: Amica renters insurance review

State Farm’s policies generally come with replacement cost coverage for your belongings. This is a more generous type of coverage than many renters policies include. If your stuff is stolen or damaged, State Farm will pay enough for you to buy brand-new replacements. Some other insurers may pay less for older items that have lost value over time.

You can add identity restoration coverage to your renters policy for $25 a year. This coverage helps you recover after an identity theft incident.

Average rates: Below are State Farm’s average rates for a range of personal property coverage limits in Texas.

» READ MORE: State Farm renters insurance review

Travelers has the lowest prices for renters insurance in Texas, but you don’t have to sacrifice coverage. You can add replacement cost coverage to your policy to increase your payouts after a claim. You may also want to add extra insurance for valuable items such as an engagement ring or piece of art.

Average rates: Below are Travelers’ average rates for a range of personal property coverage limits in Texas. Travelers’ rates in Texas are mostly flat at lower coverage limits, so you may be able to afford more coverage than you expect.

» READ MORE: Travelers renters insurance review

Allstate’s website and app make it easy to manage your renters policy. You can start by getting a quote and buying a policy online. Once you’re a customer, you can use the site or app to pay bills and file claims. But if you need help from a human, Allstate has a full network of agents you can speak with.

Average rates: Below are Allstate’s average rates for a range of personal property coverage limits in Texas.

» READ MORE: Allstate renters insurance review

USAA serves the military community with renters insurance that includes what other companies don’t. USAA renters insurance pays for flood and earthquake damage without requiring you to buy extra coverage. It automatically covers your stuff on a replacement cost basis, too. If you live on base, you could save up to 28% on renters insurance.

Average rates: Below are USAA’s average rates for a range of personal property coverage limits in Texas.

» READ MORE: USAA renters insurance review

The average cost of renters insurance in Texas is $165 a year, or about $14 a month. That’s in line with the national average.

In most U.S. states, including Texas, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Texas, those with poor credit pay an average of $405 per year for renters insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s more than twice as much as those with good credit.

» MORE: How much is renters insurance?

How much you pay for Texas renters insurance will depend in part on where you live. For example, the average cost of renters insurance in Dallas is $167 per year, while renters in Corpus Christi pay $214 per year, on average.

Below are average rates for renters insurance in 25 of the largest cities in Texas.

» MORE: What does renters insurance cover?

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

Floods

Flooding is the state’s most common disaster, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.[2] However, standard renters policies won’t cover it. If you live in a ground-floor apartment in a low-lying area you may want to buy separate flood insurance. Learn more about flood insurance for renters.

Hurricanes, tropical storms and tornadoes

Most renters policies cover wind damage from hurricanes, tornadoes and other storms. If your place is too damaged to live in, your policy can help pay for you to stay somewhere else, such as a hotel.

Wildfires

Wildfires are another common disaster in Texas. Make sure you have enough personal property coverage to replace all your belongings if the worst happens. You can use a home inventory app to estimate the cost of your stuff.

You may pay more or less than the average annual rates 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

As noted above, many insurance companies look at your credit history to evaluate how likely you might be to file a claim. People with poor credit tend to pay much higher renters insurance rates.

Here’s how your annual rates may vary in Texas based on your credit history and how much coverage you need.

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. Check out how a recent claim can change your average annual rate below.

Your coverage limits

If you have more stuff — or more valuable stuff — to cover, you’ll typically pay more for renters insurance. Below, see how changing your personal property limit can affect your rate.

Your deductible

Raising your deductible is an easy way to lower your premium, as long as you can access enough cash to pay it if necessary. (A deductible is the amount subtracted from your claim payout.) However, the amount you’ll save per year is often fairly low. Having to pay an extra $500 in the case of a claim could quickly cancel out any potential savings.

Check out how much your renters insurance would cost per year for two common deductible amounts below.

Other policies

If you buy your renters and auto insurance from the same company, you can often get a bundling discount. See our list of the best auto and renters insurance bundles.

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. Insurers consider certain breeds a higher risk, such as pit bulls and Doberman pinschers. If you own one of these breeds, your premium might be higher (if the animal is covered at all).

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

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

When you buy or renew a Texas renters policy, your insurer must give you a copy of the department’s Consumer Bill of Rights. This document is worth a read. It explains how Texas insurance companies can use your credit information and how fast they have to handle claims. It also lists circumstances under which your policy can and can’t be canceled.