What Should Cameron County, TX Homeowners Know About Hail Risk and Home Insurance?
The FEMA National Risk Index rates hail risk in Cameron County as Relatively High, higher than 96.6% of U.S. counties, and strong wind is rated Relatively High at 87.6%. The county has 132,538 occupied homes (U.S. Census) and 31 FEMA fire, flood, freezing, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm disaster declarations, the most recent on 2025-05-21. That is the risk you carry before the next storm arrives, so this is the time to learn what your policy actually promises.
Cameron County Risk Profile
Overall risk: Relatively High, higher than 97.3% of U.S. counties
| Hazard | Rating | Score (percentile) |
|---|---|---|
| Wildfire | Relatively Low | 83.8 |
| Riverine Flooding | Relatively Moderate | 92.8 |
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate | 85.1 |
| Hail | Relatively High | 96.6 |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High | 87.6 |
| Lightning | Relatively High | 82.3 |
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.
Cameron County at a Glance
- County seat
- Brownsville
- Largest towns
- Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos, La Feria
- Occupied homes
- 132,538
- Flood insurance (NFIP) policies in force
- 12,201
- FEMA disaster declarations
- 31 (most recent May 21, 2025)Counts fire, flood, freezing, 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 hail damage in Cameron County, TX?
Yes, hail damage is generally a covered peril under a standard homeowners policy, but you will usually pay a separate wind or hail deductible, not your main one. Find that deductible now, before a storm, so a claim does not surprise you. Hail risk in Cameron County is higher than 96.6% of U.S. counties, so it is worth knowing.
Common beliefs about home insurance in Cameron County, and the facts
“Your policy does not cover everything a storm damages.” That is a common misunderstanding. Wind and hail are generally covered, but flood is a different matter. Rising water from a storm or river is excluded from a standard homeowners policy, and Cameron County’s riverine flooding is rated Relatively Moderate, higher than 92.8% of U.S. counties.
“My one deductible covers everything.” Most policies carry a separate wind or hail deductible, distinct from the main one. With hail rated Relatively High here, that second number is the one most likely to apply to you.
“Flood coverage comes with the house.” It comes only if you buy it, through NFIP or a private flood policy. FEMA’s NFIP reports 12,201 flood policies in force in Cameron County, against 132,538 occupied homes (U.S. Census). Check whether yours is one of them.
“A hurricane is one claim.” It is usually two. Wind damage falls under your homeowners policy, while flood and surge need flood insurance.
How insurers dispute what category your Cameron County storm damage falls into
The label decides who pays. When a storm hits Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos or La Feria, the insurer may sort your damage by cause. Wind or hail damage to a roof is covered. Water that came in as flood is not covered under a homeowners policy. Which bucket your loss lands in can change what you are paid, and the insurer is the one choosing the label.
A mixed storm invites a fight. Wind-driven rain, a damaged roof and rising water can all appear in one event. An insurer may call water damage flood when it entered through a hail or wind opening, or may apply the wind and hail deductible to damage you believe falls under the main one.
Don’t accept the label by default. If the classification looks wrong, ask for it in writing and for the reasoning behind it. See how to deal with the insurance company adjuster before you reply.
What to do now to protect your Cameron County home claim
- Find your deductibles. Locate both the main deductible and the separate wind or hail deductible, and note whether each is a dollar amount or a percentage.
- Confirm flood coverage. Check whether you hold an NFIP or private flood policy. If you do not, you have no flood coverage.
- Photograph the home. Record the roof, siding, windows and each room as they look today, so any later damage has a clear before.
- Keep records together. Store your policy, roof age and any repair receipts where you can reach them after a storm.
How a public adjuster helps when the insurer disputes your storm damage category
We provide a different set of eyes on the claim. A ClaimsMate’s licensed public adjusters represent you, not the insurance company. If an insurer labels your hail or wind loss as something else, or applies the wrong deductible. We review the policy’s coverage for your claim and document the structural damage and personal property losses.
We build the case and talk to the insurer. We evaluate the scope and cost of covered damage, then communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. If you are in the Rio Grande Valley, contact our local Brownsville public adjusters as a starting point, or our Harlingen public adjusters. Do you need more information? You can learn more about what a public adjuster is.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many flood insurance policies are in force in Cameron County?
FEMA’s NFIP reports 12,201 flood insurance policies in force in Cameron County. The U.S. Census counts 132,538 occupied homes there. Because flood is excluded from homeowners policies, confirm whether you carry your own flood coverage.
Is strong wind covered by home insurance in Cameron County, TX?
Generally yes, wind damage is covered like fire under a standard homeowners policy, though a separate wind or hail deductible usually applies. Strong wind risk in Cameron County is rated Relatively High, higher than 87.6% of U.S. counties.
How many FEMA disaster declarations has Cameron County had?
FEMA records 31 fire, flood, freezing, hurricane, severe ice storm and severe storm disaster declarations for Cameron County, the most recent on 2025-05-21. That history is one reason to check your coverage before a storm.
Does homeowners insurance cover hurricane flooding in Cameron County?
No. Hurricane wind damage is generally covered with a separate wind deductible, but flood and storm surge are excluded and need NFIP or a private flood policy. Riverine flooding here is rated Relatively Moderate.
Final Word: Hail and Wind Claims in Cameron County Are Often Argued Over Category
With hail and strong wind both rated Relatively High, the biggest risk to your payout is often not whether damage is covered but how the insurer classifies it and which deductible it applies. Know your two deductibles and your flood status now.
Contact ClaimsMate for hail and wind insurance claim issues. ClaimsMate’s expert and licensed public adjusters communicate and negotiate with the insurance company when a claim is disputed, underpaid or denied. Contact us for a no-cost consultation.
Sign up for a free consultation today from ClaimsMate to discover the best path forward for your hail damage insurance claim.
Public Adjusters Serving Cameron 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.
