Do solar panels raise my Texas home insurance, and what do I tell my insurer?
Owned vs. leased panels, roof-mounted vs. ground-mounted, hail, roof age, and the questions to ask before you sign.
What changed on July 1, 2026, what the FAIR Plan is, who ends up there, and why it pays to shop the regular market first.
By Spyglass Insurance Agency · Published · 3 min read · Educational only — not a policy or quote
No. The Texas FAIR Plan Association (TFPA) eliminated the 1% wind and hail deductible for homeowners policies on or after July 1, 2026. The lowest wind and hail option is now 2%, and existing FAIR Plan homeowners policies with a 1% wind and hail deductible change to 2% automatically at renewal.
In a notice published April 27, 2026, TFPA announced deductible changes for its homeowners policies, approved by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) after a vote by the TFPA Governing Committee. On or after July 1, 2026, the 1% wind and hail deductible option is eliminated for TFPA homeowners policies.
Available wind and hail deductibles are now 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%. All other perils deductibles are available at 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, and separate (split) deductibles for wind and hail and for all other perils are permitted.
If you already have a FAIR Plan homeowners policy with a 1% wind and hail deductible, it changes to 2% automatically at renewal. TFPA also says deductibles cannot be changed on policies currently in force, and that a Notice of TFPA Deductible Option Changes is included in renewal offer and policy packets.
Percentage deductibles are generally figured on your dwelling coverage amount, not on the size of the claim. As simple math, on a home insured for $300,000, 1% is $3,000 and 2% is $6,000. Check your own declarations page for the exact amount and how your policy applies it.
TFPA says it was established by the Texas Legislature to provide essential property insurance for eligible Texas property owners when no one else will. It describes itself as providing coverage to properties that are denied by other insurance carriers, and says it does not compete with the private market.
According to TFPA, applicants must have two declinations from other insurers to obtain coverage. In practice, that usually means homeowners who were turned down by regular (voluntary-market) carriers or who received a nonrenewal and could not find replacement coverage.
Since January 1, 2026, Texas law (HB 2067) requires insurance companies to tell you in writing why they declined, canceled or didn't renew your home insurance, according to TDI. That written reason can help you fix an issue, such as unrepaired prior damage, that may make your home insurable in the regular market again.
TFPA's own website tells people to find an agent before qualifying for TFPA. An independent agency like Spyglass Insurance Agency can quote your home with the carriers we represent before you settle for a policy of last resort, and can review your FAIR Plan policy at renewal to see whether a regular-market option has opened up.
If the FAIR Plan is the right fit, we can walk you through the deductible choices above, including whether a split deductible makes sense for you. Rates in the regular market are also moving in different directions by carrier this year; see our guide to shopping your Texas homeowners renewal.
No. For TFPA homeowners policies on or after July 1, 2026, the 1% wind and hail deductible option is eliminated. Wind and hail deductibles are available at 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%.
TFPA says all current homeowners policies with a 1% wind and hail deductible will automatically change to 2% at policy renewal. Deductibles cannot be changed on policies currently in force.
Yes. TFPA lists all other perils deductibles of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%, and allows separate (split) deductibles for wind and hail and for all other perils.
TFPA says applicants must have two declinations from other insurers to obtain coverage. It provides coverage for eligible properties denied by other carriers.
Not necessarily. TFPA itself suggests finding an agent first. An independent agency can check regular-market carriers before you apply for a FAIR Plan policy.
Educational information only, current as of the publish date. Not legal advice and not a guarantee of coverage, eligibility or rates; all policies are subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy.
Spyglass Insurance Agency is independent — we compare available options and explain tradeoffs in plain English.
Owned vs. leased panels, roof-mounted vs. ground-mounted, hail, roof age, and the questions to ask before you sign.
The wildland-urban interface, defensible space, ember-resistant features, how wildfire risk gets scored, and free tools to check your own property.
What the 2026 rate filings actually show, why the headline average may not match your bill, and a renewal checklist.
Flood maps, local risk, and why owners outside high-risk zones still buy it.
The market forces, weather patterns and property details that move your premium.
When to request quotes, what you'll need, and how coverage interacts with your contract and closing.