One of the most significant challenges that consumers face when purchasing cheap renters insurance Texas is the fact that they fail to take the time to gain a lucid perspicacity of the policy that they are purchasing, only to find out later that there are certain hazards that are simply not covered under their specific policy. Renters insurance in Texas is designed to help individuals recover after a loss of some kind, which can include damage caused by natural disasters, theft and vandalism; however, there are those instances in which Renters insurance in Texas falls short.

As with virtually anything in the world, renters insurance in Texas has its limits. The problem is that most people don’t invest the time and effort to determine what those limitations are, making the erroneous postulation that their policy will cover any type of damage. There are a significant percentage of renters that are not aware that general renters insurance in Texas will not cover flooding. This is extremely important in a state like Texas, where flooding is a prevalent issue. A recent Bankrate survey revealed that nearly 20 percent of renters are unaware that flood protection has to be secured through a separate policy from their renters insurance in Texas. There are a number of other risks that are not covered under the general renters insurance in Texas. Four of these risks that are worth noting are listed below.

Mold Infestation

One area in which coverage is either limited or non-existent with renters insurance in Texas is with damage caused by the existence of mold. There are more than 1,000 species of mold that is common in the U.S. and with the humidity in Texas, mold is a considerable and consistent issue for renters and homeowners. When the property damage and the health issues are weighed, a mold infestation can be devastating. Despite the prevalence of mold in Texas, the standard renters insurance in Texas either significantly limits mold coverage or completely excludes it all together. There are some insurers that will offer their customers the option of adding an endorsement to their renters insurance in Texas that will expand the coverage limits that apply to mold damage, but this requires the customer to pay higher premiums.

Sewer Backup

Sewer backups are becoming an increasingly serious issue, as the sewer lines in Texas are rapidly aging, with many of these lines being more than 100 years old. As more homes and apartment buildings are added to these aging and overworked sewer lines, sewer backup is the result. There are other sources of backup as well, which include multipurpose pipelines, tree root blockages and more.

Whenever a sewer line backs up into a home or apartment, it can cause significant damage to the residence, damaging floors, walls and electrical systems. Additionally, sewage backup can be a substantial health risk as well.

Standard renters insurance in Texas does not cover sewer backups. Much like the mold issue, many insurance companies will offer added coverage that would include sewer backup, but it will come at an increase cost in monthly premiums; however, the increase in cost in generally not too expensive, averaging between $40.00 and $50.00 per year.

Sinkholes

Another area in which standard renters insurance in Texas is lacking is with sinkholes. Sinkholes are actually more common that most people are aware of. Additionally, large sinkholes can cause immeasurable damage. There is actually an extreme story in which a man in Florida was completely swallowed up in 2013 when a sizable sinkhole unexpectedly opened up underneath his bedroom.

Sinkholes are gaps in the earth’s surface that result from the erosion of rocks, such as limestone, creating large cracks and pores in the bedrock. These gaps will often result in the land above the gab collapsing, creating a sinkhole. The occurrences of sinkholes are becoming more frequent with each passing year.

As a general rule, renters insurance in Texas will not cover damage caused by sinkholes. Florida and Tennessee are the only two states in which there are specific revisions in the state law that requires a certain level of coverage for sinkholes. Although Texas does not require this coverage, renters and homeowners should definitely give serious consideration to adding it to their policy.

Termite Infestation

With the damage that termite infestation can cause, it is important for Texas renters to understand what their policies indicate when it comes to termite infestation. When it comes to home damage, as little as several hundred to several million termites have the capacity to systematically and methodically devastate the structure of a home.

Termites have the capacity to perform a stealth entry into the home through a number of different avenues, and once they are inside the structure, if they are not stopped, they will multiply, and they will systematically destroy the home.

The standard renters insurance in Texas does not cover damage caused by termites. The best solution to this problem is early intervention. Having a licensed pest control technician come out to treat the home is the best way to engage this issue. In many cases, the landlord will cover the cost.

When purchasing renters insurance in Texas, it is important to make sure that all terms of the policy are clearly understood. If adequate coverage is not a part of the standard policy, consider taking the steps necessary to add the coverage.