Georgetown, Texas has become one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and if you're among the thousands who've recently moved here—or you're considering it—you need to understand something important: your home insurance isn't going to look like what you had in other parts of the country. This charming city north of Austin, with its beautiful Victorian downtown and sprawling Sun City retirement community, sits squarely in hail alley. That geography shapes everything about insuring your home here.
Georgetown's population has exploded to over 114,000 residents in 2025—a staggering 66% increase since 2020. With that growth comes a housing boom: 35% of homes on the market are brand new construction. Whether you're buying a historic Victorian near Southwestern University, a modern home in Berry Creek, or settling into Sun City for retirement, you'll need coverage that accounts for Williamson County's very real weather risks.
Why Georgetown Home Insurance Costs What It Does
Here's the reality: Texas home insurance costs 93% more than the national average, with premiums averaging $4,101 annually for $300,000 in dwelling coverage as of late 2025. Some Georgetown homeowners pay significantly more depending on their specific location and home characteristics. That's not an arbitrary number—it reflects the genuine risk of living in Central Texas.
Williamson County has a serious tornado history. The deadliest tornado in county records was an F5 in 1997 that killed 27 people. More recently, in May 2025, tornado warnings were issued multiple times for areas from Jarrell to Bartlett, with golf-ball-sized hail reported. Insurance companies remember these events, and they price policies accordingly. Some insurers have started declining to renew policies in areas they deem too risky for hail damage.
But there's good news if you're buying new construction or recently built homes: modern building codes mean better wind resistance, impact-resistant roofing materials, and superior construction that can lower your premiums. If you're in one of Georgetown's newer developments like Rancho San Gabriel or Berry Springs, mention these features to insurers. They matter.
Special Considerations for Sun City Residents
Sun City Texas is home to nearly 16,000 active adult residents, many of whom travel extensively or maintain second homes elsewhere. If that's you, here's what you need to know: extended vacancies can affect your coverage. Most standard policies require you to notify your insurer if your home will be vacant for more than 30 consecutive days. Winter Texans who head north for months at a time need to understand this requirement—failing to disclose extended absences could void your coverage if something happens while you're away.
The good news? Many insurers offer discounts for mature homeowners, retirement community living, and security features common in Sun City like gated access and neighborhood watch programs. Some carriers also recognize that retirees are more likely to be home during the day, which can reduce theft risk. Ask specifically about these discounts—they can add up to 10-15% in savings.
Sun City homes are newer—built since the early 2000s—which means they generally feature better construction and modern systems. Make sure your insurer knows the age of your roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. These factors directly impact your premium and your ability to get coverage at all, since some carriers won't insure homes with roofs older than 15 years in hail-prone areas.
Historic Homes and Downtown Georgetown Properties
Georgetown's Victorian-era homes near the courthouse square are gorgeous, but they present unique insurance challenges. These homes—some dating to the 1800s—often have features that are expensive or impossible to replace: original wood trim, antique fixtures, specialized masonry, and architectural details that modern builders simply don't replicate.
Standard replacement cost coverage might not be sufficient for historic homes. You'll want to discuss extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which pays to rebuild your home even if costs exceed your policy limit. You should also consider ordinance or law coverage, which pays for upgrades required by current building codes when you rebuild after a loss. That 1890s home won't be allowed to be rebuilt exactly as it was—modern codes will require updates that standard policies don't cover.
Document everything. Take detailed photos and maintain records of any restoration work, original features, and specialty materials. If you ever file a claim, this documentation will be invaluable in proving the value of what was lost and ensuring you get adequate compensation.
What Coverage You Actually Need
Your dwelling coverage should reflect the true cost to rebuild your home—not its market value. With Georgetown's median home value around $457,000 in 2025, you might assume that's what you need. But market value includes your land, which you don't insure. Focus on the structure itself. For a 2,000-square-foot home, rebuilding costs in 2025 can easily exceed $200-250 per square foot when you factor in permits, labor shortages, and material costs.
Personal property coverage typically defaults to 50-70% of your dwelling coverage. That might sound like a lot, but go through your home room by room. Add up your furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing, and everything else. Most people are underinsured here. Consider creating a home inventory with photos—your insurance agent can provide a worksheet.
Liability coverage is crucial. The standard policy provides $100,000, but that won't go far if someone is seriously injured on your property. Bump it to at least $300,000, or better yet, add an umbrella policy that provides $1-2 million in additional liability protection for a relatively small premium. Given Georgetown's growth and active community lifestyle, having strong liability protection is smart risk management.
Wind and hail coverage is mandatory in your base policy in Texas, but pay attention to your deductible. Many Georgetown policies have a separate wind/hail deductible of 1-2% of your dwelling coverage. On a $400,000 home, that's $4,000-8,000 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Make sure you have that money available if a severe storm hits.
How to Get the Best Rate in Georgetown
Shop around aggressively. The difference between the highest and lowest quotes for the same coverage can be $1,000 or more annually. Get quotes from at least three carriers. Don't just look at price—make sure you're comparing identical coverage limits and deductibles.
Bundle your home and auto insurance with the same carrier. Most insurers offer 15-25% discounts for bundling. Ask about other discounts too: security systems, smart home devices, impact-resistant roofing, new home construction, claims-free history, and automatic payment discounts. These stack up quickly.
Maintain your credit. In Texas, insurers can use credit-based insurance scores to set rates. Improving your credit score can lower your premium. Pay attention to your claims history too—multiple small claims can cost you more in increased premiums than you received in claim payments. Consider paying out of pocket for minor losses and reserving insurance for catastrophic events.
If you're having trouble finding coverage or facing non-renewal, consider the Texas FAIR Plan, which provides basic coverage for homeowners who can't get insurance in the standard market. It's more expensive and provides limited coverage, but it's an option when others fall through.
Getting Started with Georgetown Home Insurance
Start by gathering information about your home: year built, square footage, roof age and material, construction type, and any upgrades like storm shutters or impact-resistant features. Know your home's replacement cost—your real estate agent or a local contractor can help estimate this.
Work with an independent insurance agent who represents multiple carriers. They can shop your coverage across different companies and help you understand the trade-offs between price and coverage. Given how selective insurers have become in hail-prone areas like Georgetown, having an agent who knows which carriers are still writing new policies here is invaluable.
Review your policy annually. Georgetown is changing rapidly—your home's value, neighborhood risks, and the insurance market itself are all moving targets. What made sense last year might not be adequate now. Set a reminder to review your coverage each year, ideally before storm season hits in the spring.
Georgetown is a wonderful place to live—vibrant, growing, and full of opportunity. Protecting your home here means understanding the specific weather risks you face and making sure your insurance coverage matches both your home's value and the real cost of rebuilding after a loss. Take the time to get it right, and you'll have peace of mind no matter what Texas weather throws your way.
