(The Center Square) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is touring the state to discuss the latest aspect of his affordability plan: reducing home and auto insurance costs.
Under the Biden and Trump administrations, the cost of goods, services and energy have risen while incomes have remained relatively flat. Inflation, the national debt and government spending are at record highs while the average American struggles to make ends meet, critics of both administrations and Congress argue.
With Texas suffering from extreme weather events, including record flooding and hurricanes, home and auto insurance premiums have also risen.
Abbott met with families at a residential home in a middle-class Houston suburb Wednesday to hear about the financial strain they are facing due to increasing costs.
One aspect of his plan is for the legislature to establish a Texas roof fortification program and to amend state law to allow safe drivers to have access to lower auto premiums.
"A more affordable Texas starts with cutting the cost of insurance," Abbott said. "Extreme weather events are a devastating reality in our great state. That’s why we will establish a Texas roof fortification program. We also want to make auto insurance cheaper in Texas. We will change state law so that safe drivers are rewarded with lower premiums."
Earlier this year, Abbott directed public colleges and universities to freeze tuition costs. He and the legislature also worked to cap insulin costs, expand telehealth and cut red tape to lower housing costs through a series of reforms.
His two new affordability initiatives will reduce home and auto insurance premiums “to help hardworking Texas families keep more of what they earn,” he said.
Abbott’s plan to lower home insurance costs includes establishing a $400 million Texas roof fortification program. “Extreme Texas weather is a leading cause of home insurance claims in the state, which increases annual premiums,” he said.
He explained that in other states where fortified roof programs exist, five times as many homeowners choose to fortify their roofs after they see how the program works.
In response to a question asked by The Center Square, he said “that because fortified roofs are able to withstand hurricanes, hail and other severe weather, this reduces the number of claims filed. That reduces the amount the insurance companies have to pay out, which enables insurance companies to stay in business and provide coverage at a lower cost.”
Homeowners with fortified roofs can save up to 8% on premiums and nearly $16,000 in total potential savings over the life of the roof, according to his plan, he says. The proposed taxpayer-funded program will provide up to $10,000 per participating homeowner for fortified roofs to better withstand wind and hail damage.
He’s also proposing that the legislature amend state law to allow all auto insurers to consider good driving habits when setting premiums. Abbott told The Center Square his plan will benefit drivers who with no accidents, no speeding tickets or infractions, who have “great driving records.”
“Current Texas law prohibits insurance companies from seeing your driving record and lowing your insurance cost,” he said. “This will change that Texas law. The insurance company will now be able to see your safe driving records and say you get up a 30% reduction in what you pay for your auto insurance.”
Abbott also discussed his five-point property tax plan, which he argues will save the average homeowner $3,000 a year in an effort “to keep Texas affordable.”
His five-point property tax reform plan is a key legislative priority for the legislature to consider next year. The legislature convenes every two years.
The plan requires spending limits for local governments, a two-thirds voter approval for property tax increases, an opportunity for voters to roll back taxes, a cap on appraisals every five years and eliminating the school district property tax on homeowners.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proposed a competing plan, again increasing the homestead exemption, which has proven not to reduce property taxes in the past due to several factors, The Center Square reported.
“The past few sessions, we've addressed property taxes by increasing homestead exemptions, but Texans simply are not feeling the relief,” Abbott has argued at property tax events, including at a separate event in Houston. “As I traveled the state of Texas, I've talked to tens of thousands of people. Not one of them has come up to me and said, ‘Hey, governor, I'm perfectly happy with my property tax appraisal.’ And there's a reason for it. It's because local governments spend more and tax more and your appraisals are going through the roof.
“We cannot go back to Austin, Texas, and do more of the same of what we've done in the past. We have to disrupt property taxes as we know it.”
Every year, lawmakers say they are implementing reforms to reduce property taxes and property taxes keep increasing. Texas has the sixth highest property tax rate in the country.
