Wondering why insurance companies are refusing to cover certain homes or vehicles in your neighborhood? A Texas database is giving residents a closer look at the reasons behind those decisions.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has expanded an online transparency tool that allows residents to search insurance cancellations, nonrenewals and application denials by ZIP code.
The tool initially launched for residential property insurance in September and expanded to include personal auto insurance on October 15.
The database shows how many policies insurance companies have declined, canceled or declined to renew in a particular ZIP code, along with the reasons insurers reported for those decisions.
For Greater Houston residents, that means being able to examine insurance activity in communities across Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria, Montgomery and surrounding counties.
Residents can access the state’s database for free through the Texas Department of Insurance website.
CLICK HERE: Search insurance cancellations, nonrenewals and denials by ZIP code.
Once on the website:
The tool separates the information into two reports.
The Actions report shows how many policies insurers declined, canceled or did not renew.
The Reasons cited in notices report shows how often insurance companies reported particular explanations for those decisions.
Residents can also explore other ZIP codes to compare insurance activity across different communities.
Insurance companies can decline applications, cancel existing policies or refuse to renew coverage for a variety of reasons.
According to TDI, some of the reasons reported for residential property insurance include:
For auto insurance, reported reasons can include a driver’s claims history, driving record, vehicle make and model, or an insurer’s decision to stop offering certain policies.
However, not every cancellation is initiated by an insurance company. The database also includes certain actions taken at a policyholder’s request.
The reasons reported in one ZIP code do not necessarily explain why a particular resident lost coverage.
Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they describe different actions.
Declination: An insurance company refuses to approve an application for coverage.
Cancellation: An existing insurance policy ends before its scheduled expiration date.
Nonrenewal: An insurance company decides not to continue coverage when the current policy expires.
The distinction matters because each action may involve different notice requirements and options for consumers.
TDI also cautions that insurers can cite multiple reasons for a single decision. As a result, the number of reasons listed in the database should not be interpreted as the total number of policies affected.
The tool does not identify individual insurance companies.
The transparency tool stems from House Bill 2067, legislation approved by Texas lawmakers in 2025.
Under the law, insurance companies must provide written explanations when they decline, cancel or refuse to renew qualifying home or auto insurance policies.
The requirement applies to insurance decisions made after January 1, 2026.
Insurers must also submit reports summarizing those decisions to TDI, which publishes the information for consumers.
Reporting began April 1, although the database can include information from earlier notices involving policies scheduled for nonrenewal on or after that date.
The state updates the database as additional information becomes available.
If an insurance company has notified you that your coverage is ending, TDI recommends beginning your search for replacement coverage before your existing policy expires.
Consumers should also review the insurer’s written explanation to understand why the decision was made.
In some cases, the problem may be something a policyholder can address, such as making repairs to a property or resolving an issue with unpaid premiums.
Homeowners who cannot obtain coverage through the standard insurance market may have other options.
For example, the Texas FAIR Plan Association provides an alternative for eligible homeowners who have been turned down by at least two insurance companies.
Residents who believe an insurer acted unfairly or failed to provide a required written explanation can file a complaint with the Texas Department of Insurance.
For questions or assistance, consumers can contact TDI’s Help Line at 800-252-3439, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
