How Ready Is Your Burnet County, TX Home Insurance for Hail and Wildfire?
The FEMA National Risk Index (https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/national-risk-index) rates wildfire risk in Burnet County as Relatively Low, higher than 88.9% of U.S. counties, and hail risk as Relatively Moderate, higher than 87.4%. With 18,629 homes in the county (U.S. Census, occupied housing units) and a FEMA record of 1 flood and fire disaster declaration, most recently on 2025-07-06, the time to learn what your policy pays is before the sky turns dark.
Burnet County Risk Profile
Overall risk: Relatively Low, higher than 76.6% of U.S. counties
| Hazard | Rating | Score (percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | 88.9 |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | 82.3 |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | 84.8 |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate | 87.4 |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate | 83.1 |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate | 64.8 |
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.
Burnet County at a Glance
- County seat
- Burnet
- Largest towns
- Marble Falls, Burnet, Granite Shoals, Bertram, Meadowlakes
- Occupied homes
- 18,629
- Flood insurance (NFIP) policies in force
- 1,202
- FEMA disaster declarations
- 1 (most recent July 6, 2025)Counts flood and fire declarations
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey), FEMA NFIP policy data, FEMA disaster declarations.
Is hail a real risk to my home in Burnet County, Texas?
Yes, it is. FEMA’s National Risk Index rates hail in Burnet County as Relatively Moderate, higher than 87.4% of U.S. counties. Find your separate wind and hail deductible now, because many Texas policies set it apart from your main deductible.
What a hail and wildfire night looks like for a Burnet County home
The storm side. Hail drums the roof over Marble Falls or Burnet for a few minutes. By morning you find cracked shingles, dented vents, and a wet spot on a bedroom ceiling.
The fire side. Wildfire is the county’s highest-ranked hazard in the FEMA data, even at a Relatively Low rating. Picture a grass fire pushed by wind toward the edge of a neighborhood in Granite Shoals or Meadowlakes. Flames stop short of your house, but the smoke does not.
- You get everyone out and call 911.
- You photograph and video every room before cleaning or moving anything.
- You call your insurance company and ask for a claim number in writing.
What home insurance pays in that scenario, and what it leaves out
Wind and hail. Tornado and wind damage are generally covered much like fire. The catch is that most policies attach a separate wind or hail deductible, apart from your main one. Look for it on your declarations page, often written as a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
Fire and smoke. Fire is a covered peril on a standard homeowners policy. Disputes usually center on how much is owed, not on whether fire is covered at all.
Flood. Riverine flooding is rated Relatively Moderate here, higher than 82.3% of U.S. counties, and your homeowners policy will not pay for it. That takes a separate flood policy, either NFIP or private. FEMA’s NFIP shows 1,202 policies in force in Burnet County, against 18,629 homes.
Smoke and soot in Burnet County homes reach rooms the fire never touched
The damage you cannot see. Smoke travels through ductwork, attic gaps and wall cavities. A fire that never reaches your house can still leave soot film on ceilings, residue in closets and odor in carpet, drapes and mattresses.
Why it gets missed. An insurance company adjuster may count only the scorched or visibly blackened area. Soot in a bedroom down the hall, or inside your HVAC system, may never make it onto the estimate.
What you can do now. Photograph your home room by room, including closets and the attic, while it is clean. That record shows what existed before smoke touched it.
- Find your wind and hail deductible and write the dollar amount down.
- Ask your agent whether your policy covers smoke cleaning and temporary living costs.
- Check whether you carry flood coverage at all.
- Keep photos and receipts for major items in a cloud folder.
How a public adjuster helps when smoke and soot damage is undercounted
On your side of the claim. Texas public adjusters work for you, never for the insurance company. After a loss, they document structural damage and personal property losses, including smoke and soot that spread beyond the burned area.
The paperwork and the pushback. They review the policy’s coverage for your claim, evaluate the scope and cost of covered damage, and communicate and negotiate with the insurance company. If you want to understand who you will be dealing with first, read how to deal with the insurance company adjuster.
When the answer is no. Public adjusters also assist with disputed, underpaid or denied claims. New to the idea? See what a public adjuster is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage in Burnet County if my house did not burn?
Often yes, because fire is a covered peril and smoke from a covered fire is usually part of that loss. The dispute tends to be over how far the smoke spread and what cleaning or replacement costs. Document every room before cleaning.
How many Burnet County homes have NFIP flood policies?
FEMA’s NFIP shows 1,202 flood insurance policies in force in Burnet County, compared with 18,629 occupied homes from the U.S. Census. Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood, so a separate policy is the only route.
How is Burnet County’s wildfire risk rated?
FEMA’s National Risk Index rates wildfire in Burnet County as Relatively Low, higher than 88.9% of U.S. counties. A low rating does not stop smoke from reaching your home or make your policy’s smoke terms any less important.
Is my hail deductible the same as my regular deductible in Burnet County?
Not always. Most Texas policies carry a separate wind or hail deductible, often a percentage of dwelling coverage. Check your declarations page now so a roof claim does not catch you off guard.
Final Word: Hail and Wildfire Smoke Claims in Burnet County Are Often Undercounted
The biggest gap in most Burnet County policies is not whether hail or fire is covered. It is how much damage gets counted, especially smoke and soot far from the flames, and a separate wind and hail deductible that surprises people.
In Burnet County, contact ClaimsMate for hail and wildfire insurance claim issues. ClaimsMate helps policyholders find public adjusters who document property damage, prepare claims, and handle insurer negotiations. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
Sign up for a free consultation today with ClaimsMate to discover the best path forward for your wildfire damage insurance claim.
Public Adjusters Serving Burnet County
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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.
