Is Your Andrews County, TX Home Insurance Ready for Hail and Wildfire Damage?
The FEMA National Risk Index rates Andrews County's overall natural hazard risk as Very Low, but it rates hail as Relatively Moderate, higher than 75.5% of U.S. counties, and wildfire as Relatively Low, higher than 75% of U.S. counties. The county has 6,603 homes (U.S. Census occupied housing units) and 12 FEMA fire, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm disaster declarations, the most recent on 2021-02-19. A low overall rating does not mean a low-stress claim, so check your coverage before anything happens.
Andrews County Risk Profile
Overall risk: Very Low, higher than 9% of U.S. counties
| Hazard | Rating | Score (percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | 75 |
| Riverine Flooding | Very Low | 10.8 |
| Tornado | Very Low | 18.4 |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | 75.5 |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low | 21.3 |
| Lightning | Very Low | 22.4 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index. Scores are percentile ranks among all U.S. counties: a score of 90 means higher risk than 90% of counties. Ratings are for the county as a whole.
Andrews County at a Glance
- County seat
- Andrews
- Largest towns
- Andrews
- Occupied homes
- 6,603
- Flood insurance (NFIP) policies in force
- 2
- FEMA disaster declarations
- 12 (most recent February 19, 2021)Counts fire, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm declarations
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), FEMA NFIP policy data, FEMA disaster declarations.
Does homeowners insurance cover strong wind damage in Andrews County, TX?
Yes, wind damage is generally covered like fire under a standard homeowners policy, but check for a separate wind or hail deductible. FEMA’s National Risk Index rates strong wind in Andrews County as Relatively Low, higher than 21.3% of U.S. counties. Low risk is not no risk, so find out what your wind deductible is before a storm.
What to ask your insurance agent this week about hail, wind, and fire in Andrews County
Start with the deductible. Hail is Andrews County’s top-rated hazard here, so ask whether your policy has a separate wind or hail deductible, and what dollar amount it works out to on your home.
Ask how roofs are paid. Some policies pay the full cost of a new roof; others pay depreciated value. That difference decides how much comes out of your pocket after hail.
- Is smoke and soot damage to rooms that did not burn covered, and how is it scoped?
- Does the policy pay for temporary housing if smoke makes the home unlivable?
- Are the limits on contents and the dwelling high enough to rebuild at today’s costs?
- Is flood covered? (Almost certainly not, see below.)
Write the answers down. Get them by email so you have them if a dispute starts later.
What home insurance actually covers in Andrews County, and what it leaves out
Fire is covered. A standard homeowners policy covers fire, and that includes wildfire. The fight is almost never about whether fire is covered. It is about how much the company says it owes.
Wind and hail are generally covered too, but most policies attach a separate wind or hail deductible that is different from your main deductible. That deductible is often a percentage of your home’s insured value, so it can be far larger than people expect.
Flood is excluded. Riverine flooding rates are Very Low for Andrews County in the FEMA National Risk Index, and FEMA’s NFIP reports only 2 flood insurance policies in force here. If you want flood protection, it takes a separate NFIP or private flood policy. You can read how the ratings work at the FEMA National Risk Index.
Why smoke and soot damage in Andrews County homes reaches past the rooms that burned
Smoke does not stay put. After even a small fire, smoke and soot travel through the air handler, ductwork, wall cavities, and attic. Rooms with no flames can carry soot film, odor and residue that a quick walkthrough misses.
Insurers often scope only damage they can see. An estimate may cover the burned kitchen and call the rest cosmetic. Hidden soot in insulation, upholstery, clothing and HVAC components can be left out entirely.
Wildfire is rated Relatively Low, higher than 75% of U.S. counties in the National Risk Index, but any fire near a home can push smoke inside. Smoke damage is a fire loss, and it should be documented as one.
Document your home now. Photograph and video each room, the closets, the attic access, and the HVAC returns, and keep a dated contents list. A clean before picture makes a smoke claim far harder to shrink.
How a ClaimsMate public adjuster helps with a smoke and soot claim in Andrews County
The insurance company’s adjuster works for the insurance company and has their best interest in mind. A ClaimsMate licensed public adjuster works for you. If you ever file a claim, one of our Texas public adjusters can document structural damage and personal property losses, including the rooms that look fine but are not.
They also read the policy for that claim, evaluate the scope and cost of covered damage, and communicate and negotiate with the insurer. If a smoke claim is disputed, underpaid or denied, they help with that too.
If you are weighing who to talk to, see what a public adjuster is and how to deal with the insurance company’s adjuster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flood insurance policies are in force in Andrews County, TX?
FEMA’s NFIP reports 2 flood insurance policies in force in Andrews County, against 6,603 homes (U.S. Census occupied housing units). Flood is excluded from a standard homeowners policy, so a separate NFIP or private flood policy is the only way to cover it.
How serious is hail risk for Andrews County homeowners?
FEMA’s National Risk Index rates hail in Andrews County as Relatively Moderate, higher than 75.5% of U.S. counties. Hail is generally covered, but ask whether your policy has a separate hail or wind deductible and whether your roof is paid at full or depreciated value.
Does Andrews County have a history of FEMA disaster declarations?
Yes. FEMA lists 12 fire, hurricane, severe ice storm, and severe storm disaster declarations for Andrews County, the most recent on 2021-02-19. A Very Low overall risk rating still sits alongside a real history of declared events.
Is smoke damage covered if my Andrews County home did not burn?
Smoke damage from a covered fire is generally part of a fire claim, even in rooms that did not burn. The dispute is usually scope: how far soot spread and what it costs to clean or replace. Documenting the whole home helps.
Final Word: Hail and Smoke Damage in Andrews County Are Often Under-Scoped
Andrews County’s overall risk is Very Low, but hail is rated Relatively Moderate, and a fire can spread smoke well beyond the burn. Know your wind and hail deductible, know that flood needs its own policy, and document your home before you need to.
Contact ClaimsMate for hail and fire insurance claim issues in Andrews County. A ClaimsMate Texas-licensed public adjuster documents the damage, evaluates covered losses, and negotiates with the insurance company for you. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
Sign up for a free consultation today with ClaimsMate to discover the best path forward for your hail damage insurance claim.
Public Adjusters Serving Andrews County
Sources
Stephanie is a property insurance claim expert with over 20 years of experience working as an insurance adjuster, expert witness, appraiser and umpire. She is passionate about sharing her expertise, knowledge, tips and training to help both property owners and Public Adjusters in their pursuit of effectively managing claims and recovering the claim settlement they deserve after a loss.
