Last reviewed: 3 October 2026
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What homeowners insurance covers and its main parts: Texas and Washington regulators compared
The short answer: a homeowners policy combines several coverages in one policy.[1] Both regulators we read list the home itself, other structures, belongings, extra living costs and liability. This page draws on guidance from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). Rules and policy wording differ by state and by company.
The short version
- TDI says most home policies in Texas include six coverages: dwelling, personal property, other structures, additional living expenses, personal liability and medical payments.[1]
- Washington's page lists dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use or additional living expenses, and liability protection.[2]
- TDI says coverages vary by company, and to read your policy or talk to your agent to be sure of your exact coverages.[1]
Neither source labels these coverages with letters, so this page does not either. Some companies' policy forms may use labels; check your own policy.
The coverages, as each regulator describes them
| Coverage | Texas (TDI) | Washington (OIC) |
|---|---|---|
| Dwelling (the house) | Pays if your house is damaged or destroyed by something your policy covers.[1] | Typically covers repairing or replacing your damaged or destroyed home, including attachments such as garages or decks.[2] |
| Other structures | Pays to repair structures on your property that are not attached to your house, such as detached garages, storage sheds and fences.[1] | Covers other permanent, separate, unattached structures on your property, such as a detached garage or workshop.[2] |
| Personal property | Pays if your furniture, clothing and other things you own are stolen, damaged or destroyed.[1] | Includes furnishings and personal items such as a TV, clothing and dishes. Your policy may limit coverage for jewelry, collectibles, art, tools or silver.[2] |
| Additional living expenses (loss of use) | Pays if you have to move while your house is repaired for damages your policy covers, including rent, food and other costs you would not have at home.[1] | Pays living expenses over and above your normal expenses if your house is damaged or destroyed and you need another place to stay.[2] |
| Personal liability | Pays medical bills, lost wages and other costs for people you are legally responsible for injuring, and damage you cause to someone else's property. It also pays your court costs if you are sued because of an accident.[1] | Covers expenses for bodily injury and property damage to others when you are legally liable.[2] |
| Medical payments to others | Pays the medical bills of people hurt on your property, and for some injuries away from your home.[1] | Covers medical expenses of others accidentally injured on your property; generally applies only to guests there with your permission.[2] |
Limits and examples each state gives
These figures are examples or typical statements from each source. They are not requirements and are not comparable with each other.
- Texas: policies pay only up to their dollar limits, and each coverage has a limit.[1]
- Texas: home policies usually pay a percentage of the dwelling limit for personal property. TDI's example is a house insured for $100,000 with property covered at 20%, so up to $20,000.[1]
- Texas: if additional living expenses are covered, they might be limited to 10 to 20% of the dwelling coverage.[1]
- Texas: most companies require you to insure your house for at least 80% of its replacement cost, and some require 100%.[1]
- Washington: most policies include at least $1,000 of medical expenses coverage for others and at least $100,000 of liability coverage, with higher limits available.[2]
Is it required?
TDI says the law does not require home insurance, but if you owe money on your home, your lender will require it.[1] Washington says that if you lose or never have coverage, the bank may take out an expensive lender-placed insurance policy on the property.[2]
Related property policies TDI names
TDI lists renters, condominium, townhouse, mobile home, and farm and ranch insurance as other types of property insurance. Renters insurance, for example, covers your belongings in a rented home but will not pay to fix the building.[1]
Where the declarations page fits
TDI says the first page of your policy is the declarations page, a summary of your coverages, dollar limits and deductibles.[1]
How to verify this yourself
Find your policy's declarations page and compare each coverage and limit with the list above. Read the two regulator pages listed below. To check the person or company that sold the policy, see our state regulator directory guide.
What this page does not cover
We read one Texas page and one Washington page. Other states' coverages, limits and wording can differ, and individual companies' policies differ again. We do not cover what a standard policy excludes (see our guide on what homeowners insurance leaves out), how claims are paid, or how much coverage to buy. This is general information, not insurance or legal advice. For your own policy, ask your agent or insurer, or contact your state insurance regulator.
Your next step
List each coverage on your declarations page with its limit and deductible. Then read the exclusions section of your policy and ask your agent about anything you cannot match to the list above.
Related checks
Our standard explains how we check an agent's license and disciplinary history. Check an agent reports our findings at category level, as a method and not a verdict. Neither reviews any insurer, plan or product. To confirm the person selling you coverage is licensed, see how to check an agent's license. More plain-language guides are in the agent guides.
When we will update this page
We re-read the sources when they change. If something here is out of date, tell us. Corrections are dated on the page.
References
- [1] Texas Department of Insurance, "Home insurance guide" (consumer bulletin), read 3 October 2026 — tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb025.html
- [2] Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, "Learn how home insurance works", read 3 October 2026 — insurance.wa.gov/.../learn-how-home-insurance-works
What you can do next
- Check an agent's license yourself, step by step
- Check an agent (United States agents and brokers only) — see which ones we have checked
- See how we check — the rules and sources behind each result
- Report an error or request a correction
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