Are Texas Homeowners No Longer Denied Insurance Based on the Age of a Roof?
In a landmark development published just days ago on September 29, 2026, the Texas Department of Insurance issued a rule clarification that fundamentally changes how insurers can use roof age in underwriting decisions. Here is everything Texas homeowners need to know.
The New Rule: Roof Age Alone Cannot Be the Basis for Denial
The Texas Department of Insurance has clarified its rule that insurance companies cannot decline or refuse to renew a home insurance policy based solely on the age of a house or its roof. Under 28 Texas Administrative Code Section 21.1006, insurers are now explicitly prohibited from using roof age — or the age of any other home component, including wiring, heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and siding — as the sole reason for denying or non-renewing a homeowners policy. Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford stated that Texans deserve fair access to home insurance no matter the age of their home — and that the rule advances TDI's commitment to a more transparent insurance market.
What Insurers Can Still Consider
The new rule draws a critical distinction between age and condition — and Texas homeowners must understand where the line falls. An insurer can therefore consider whether an older roof is damaged or in poor condition — but age by itself cannot serve as the reason for declining coverage or issuing a nonrenewal. A roof that has been in place for many years remains subject to underwriting review, but the insurer must base any denial or nonrenewal on factors beyond its age alone. Physical condition, documented damage, and safety concerns remain valid underwriting criteria.
The Abbott Directive Behind the Rule
This rule is one of several actions taken in direct response to a formal directive issued by Governor Greg Abbott on August 24, 2026, instructing TDI to prohibit insurers from rejecting homeowners policies based solely on the age of a property or its components. Governor Abbott has called the trajectory of rising Texas homeowners premiums — up 79% between 2020 and 2026 — unsustainable and directed TDI to take multiple consumer-first actions simultaneously, including the new ZIP code transparency tool and the storm-resistant upgrade discount bulletin.
What Texas Homeowners Should Do Right Now
If you have received a nonrenewal or denial notice that cited your roof's age as the reason, the new TDI rule is directly relevant to your situation. Request the insurer's written basis for the denial under HB 2067's mandatory explanation requirement — and if the reasoning is solely age-based, file a complaint immediately with the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439 or visit tdi.texas.gov.
