Does your homeowner’s insurance company offer a discount when you invest in security improvements for your residence?
Chapter Five, Article 5.33A Section 6 (a) 1-2 of the Texas Insurance Code once required homeowner insurance companies to offer a reduction of 5% or 15% in annual premiums to Texas homeowners if they could pass a residential security inspection performed by a State Certified Inspector.
In 2003, this article was repealed and insurance companies were no longer required to offer this discount. Many insurance companies, however, still offer a discount to homeowners who can successfully pass the residential security inspection.
Why Consider the Inspection?
- In 2011, there were an estimated 2,188,005 burglaries – an increase of 0.9 percent when compared with 2010 data (FBI UCR Reports, 2011).
- Victims of burglary offenses suffered an estimated $4.8 billion in lost property in 2011; overall, the average dollar loss per burglary offense was $2,185 (FBI UCR Reports, 2011).
- Properly securing your residence from a potential burglary can greatly reduce the probability that an offense will occur or be successfully completed.
- Most insurance companies understand that a properly secured residence will also reduce the chances that you will have to file a claim and report expensive property losses as a result of a residential burglary in the future.
Do I qualify? How do I find out?
Step 1:
Contact your homeowner’s insurance company and see if they still offer a reduction for this program.
Step 2:
Once you ensure that your insurance company offers the reduction, review the attached checklist to be sure that you meet the inspection requirements. (Note: Please be sure to review and comply with all necessary requirements before you schedule for a visit from a member of our team. If you have any questions regarding the inspection and/or the requirements – call 713-477-2766). Inspection-Checklist . Have a look at few tips in our Home Security Brochure.
Step 3:
If you feel that your residence meets the inspection requirements, and you have completed all requirements on the checklist in Step 2, you are ready to request an inspection.
Fill out our Feedback Form requesting to schedule a home inspection appointment with an inspector from the police department’s Community Services Division.
Once you have submitted the request, a member of the Crime Prevention Unit will contact you to schedule an appointment. Due to a high volume of requests, appointments are available through online only.
Frequently Asked Questions