If you live in Granbury, you already know what makes this Hood County seat special—the historic downtown square, Lake Granbury's 8,300 acres of water, and that small-town charm within commuting distance of Fort Worth. But here's what you might not know: your insurance needs in Granbury are unique, shaped by everything from tornado risk to lakefront living to Texas-specific regulations. Whether you're a longtime resident or just moved here to join the 25% population boom since 2020, getting your insurance right matters more than you might think.
Let's cut through the confusion and talk about what actually matters for protecting your home, your car, and your financial future in Granbury.
Auto Insurance in Granbury: What You Need to Know
Texas law requires you to carry minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25. That means $30,000 for injuries per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. But here's the reality: those minimums aren't enough if you cause a serious accident. A trip to the emergency room can easily exceed $30,000, and if you're at fault in a crash that injures multiple people, you could be personally liable for the difference.
If you commute to Fort Worth on Highway 377 or Highway 167, consider higher liability limits—at least 100/300/100. The increased premium is typically modest, but the protection is significant. And if you're financing a vehicle, your lender will require comprehensive and collision coverage anyway.
Texas auto insurance rates jumped 15% in 2024, and they're expected to rise another 6% in 2025, bringing the average full-coverage policy to $2,886 annually. The good news? Granbury's growing insurance market means you have options. Don't just renew automatically—shop around. Rates can vary by hundreds of dollars for the exact same coverage.
Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Against Texas Weather
May 15, 2013. If you were living in Granbury then, you remember. The EF4 tornado that tore through Rancho Brazos killed six people and destroyed around 100 homes in just 2.5 miles. Granbury is classified as a very high risk area for tornadoes, and in 2024 alone, Texas recorded 878 major hail events with hailstones one inch or larger.
This is why homeowners insurance in Texas is expensive—averaging $4,585 annually in 2024, more than double the national average. Premiums rose 19% in 2024 following a 21% increase in 2023. These aren't arbitrary numbers. Insurers are responding to billions in claims from hail damage, tornadoes, and severe storms.
Your standard homeowners policy should include wind and hail coverage. Unlike coastal counties that often require separate windstorm policies through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Hood County residents typically get this coverage bundled in their main policy. Verify this with your agent—don't assume.
Pay attention to your deductible structure. Many Texas policies now have separate wind/hail deductibles expressed as a percentage of your dwelling coverage—often 1% to 5%. On a $300,000 home, a 2% wind/hail deductible means you'll pay the first $6,000 of damage out of pocket. That's very different from your standard $1,000 or $2,000 deductible for other perils.
Special Considerations for Lake Granbury Properties
If you own or are buying a waterfront property on Lake Granbury, listen carefully: standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage from rising lake water. It covers some rain damage, but if the lake floods your home, you're not covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy.
About 15% of lakefront properties nationwide require flood insurance by mortgage lenders, based on FEMA flood zone designations. FEMA flood maps change frequently—sometimes daily—so before buying lakefront property, ask your realtor to pull the current flood certificate. If your property falls within a designated flood zone, your lender will require proof of flood insurance before closing.
Even if you're not required to carry flood insurance, consider it anyway. Flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program is relatively affordable for properties outside high-risk zones—often a few hundred dollars annually. Given Granbury's classification as having a high flood risk from 500-year flood events, that's cheap peace of mind.
Waterfront homeowners should also review coverage for outbuildings like boat houses and docks. These structures may not be fully covered under your standard policy limits. If you have a boat, jet skis, or other watercraft, your homeowners policy typically provides very limited coverage—usually $1,000 to $1,500. You'll need a separate boat insurance policy for adequate protection.
Additional Coverage to Consider
With 30% of Granbury residents age 65 or older, Medicare planning becomes essential. Original Medicare doesn't cover everything—there are gaps in coverage, copays, and deductibles. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies help fill those gaps, and Medicare Advantage plans offer an alternative approach with different trade-offs in network restrictions and out-of-pocket costs.
Umbrella liability insurance is another coverage many Granbury residents overlook. For $150 to $300 annually, you can add $1 million in additional liability coverage above your auto and home policies. If you have significant assets—a paid-off home, retirement accounts, savings—umbrella coverage protects you from lawsuits that could exceed your standard policy limits.
How to Get Started
Insurance isn't exciting, but getting it wrong can be financially devastating. Start by reviewing your current policies. Do you have adequate liability limits? Is your home insured for replacement cost, not just market value? If you're on Lake Granbury, have you verified your flood zone status?
Get quotes from at least three insurance companies. Granbury's growing population means more insurers are competing for business here, which works in your favor. Ask about discounts—bundling home and auto, security systems, storm shutters, and good claims history can all reduce your premiums.
Most importantly, work with an agent who understands Granbury's specific risks. Someone who remembers the 2013 tornado. Someone who knows Lake Granbury flood zones. Someone who can explain why your rates went up 19% last year and what you can do about it. That local knowledge makes all the difference when you actually need to file a claim.
