Non-renewal means the insurer won’t continue the policy when the term ends. Read the reason, fix and document it if it is about the house, and start shopping right away. Notice periods are set by state law: Florida requires at least 120 days for residential property policies; Texas requires 60 days for policies bought or renewed in 2024 or later. Don’t let coverage lapse, especially with a mortgage.
What non-renewal means
Cancellation stops coverage before the policy’s end date; non-renewal means the company won’t renew it when it expires [1]. Your current coverage normally continues until then.
How much notice you get
Notice rules are state law. Two examples casaq has checked:
“The insurer shall give the first-named insured written notice of nonrenewal, cancellation, or termination at least 120 days before the effective date of the nonrenewal, cancellation, or termination. The notice must include the reason for the nonrenewal, cancellation, or termination …”
For residential property policies (homeowners, condo unit owners, mobile homes and others), the same subsection also requires at least 45 days’ advance written notice of the renewal premium. Cancellation for nonpayment needs at least 10 days’ notice. The statute lists further exceptions; read the full text for your case.
What the law says, quoted from the official text. This is not legal or insurance advice; for your situation, ask your state’s insurance department, contractor board, attorney general or an attorney.
In Texas, the Department of Insurance says a company must give 60 days’ notice of non-renewal if you bought or renewed your policy in 2024, 30 days if in 2023 or earlier, and must give you the reason if you ask [1].
Common reasons, and what you can do
| Reason in the letter | What to do |
|---|---|
| Condition of the house (roof, wiring, plumbing) | Get the repair quoted and done, keep invoices and photos, and ask whether a re-inspection would change the decision |
| Roof age | Gather proof of the roof’s age and condition; in Florida, the roof-age rule may apply (see the roof-age guide) |
| Claims history | Request your CLUE report and correct errors [1] |
| The company is reducing coverage in your area | Nothing to fix; shop for another insurer early |
| Vacancy | Talk to the company before an extended absence [1] |
In Texas, a company may non-renew after three or more non-weather claims in three years, and must warn you after two [1].
Shop early, and know the backstops
Start as soon as the letter arrives: an independent agent can quote several companies. Have your documents ready (Home Facts, roof proof, updates). If no standard company will insure you, states have residual markets. In Texas that is the Texas FAIR Plan, available if at least two companies have turned you down [2]; in Florida it is Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, which has its own inspection requirements [3].
Home Facts collects system ages and proof, and gives you a share link for agents.
Get your documents in one placeSources
- Texas Department of Insurance, “Home insurance guide”. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
- Texas Department of Insurance, “Home insurance”. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
- Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Florida), “Inspections”. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
- Florida Statutes §627.4133 (2026), Notice of cancellation, nonrenewal, or renewal premium. Retrieved 2026-10-05.
Information, not legal, insurance or engineering advice. Spot something wrong? Send a correction; accepted corrections are logged publicly with a date.