Living on Galveston Island means you get the beach, The Strand's historic charm, and easy access to the cruise port. It also means your insurance needs are different from folks in Dallas or Austin. Between hurricane season, coastal flooding, and saltwater air that wreaks havoc on everything from car paint to roof shingles, you need coverage that actually protects what matters. Here's what you need to know about insuring your life in Galveston.
Auto Insurance in Galveston: What Texas Requires
Texas law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. This is shorthand as 30/60/25 coverage. If you cause an accident, this pays for the other person's medical bills and car repairs—but it doesn't cover you or your vehicle.
The average cost for car insurance in Galveston is $178 per month. That's higher than inland Texas cities, partly because coastal humidity and salt air accelerate vehicle wear, and partly because Galveston sees its share of tourist traffic and summer congestion along Seawall Boulevard.
Here's something most people don't know: Texas insurers must offer you Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage. You can decline them in writing, but you probably shouldn't. PIP covers your medical expenses after an accident regardless of fault, and uninsured motorist coverage protects you if someone without insurance hits you. In a tourist town where out-of-state drivers and rental cars are everywhere, that extra protection matters.
One more thing: as of January 1, 2025, Texas eliminated the vehicle safety inspection requirement for non-commercial vehicles. But if you live in Galveston County, you still need a passing emissions inspection before registration. You'll need proof of insurance when you go in for that test.
Homeowners Insurance: Why You Need Three Policies
This is where Galveston gets complicated. If you own a home in a Tier 1 county—any county that touches the Gulf of Mexico—your standard homeowners policy excludes windstorm and flood damage. That means you need three separate policies: a base homeowners policy, windstorm insurance, and flood insurance.
For a home with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible, Galveston homeowners pay an average of $7,953 annually for their base policy. That's steep, but it reflects the real risk of living on a barrier island that's been hit by hurricanes throughout history.
Windstorm coverage typically comes through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), a state-run program for coastal properties. If your home was built or significantly altered after September 1, 2009, and it's located in flood zones V, VE, or V1-30, you must have flood insurance through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to even qualify for TWIA windstorm coverage. No flood policy, no windstorm policy.
Flood Insurance: Not Optional in Galveston
Flood insurance costs an average of $992 per year in Galveston County—the highest average among Texas's major counties. If you have a federally-backed mortgage and live in a high-risk flood area, your lender will require you to carry it. But even if you're not required to have it, you should get it anyway.
Galveston participates in the NFIP, which means anyone in the city can buy flood insurance at subsidized rates regardless of their location or loss history. A single tropical storm can dump feet of water in low-lying areas, and your homeowners policy won't cover a dime of it. Flood claims aren't just about living right on the water—drainage issues, heavy rain, and storm surge can flood neighborhoods blocks from the beach.
Most NFIP policies take 30 days to go into effect, so don't wait until you see a hurricane forming in the Atlantic. Get your policy in place during the quiet months and sleep better when June rolls around.
Working with Local Galveston Insurance Agents
There are over 6 local insurance agencies on Galveston Island, and working with someone who understands the island makes a difference. A local agent knows which neighborhoods flood during king tides, which insurers are actually writing new coastal policies, and how to navigate TWIA and NFIP paperwork without losing your mind.
When you're comparing quotes, don't just look at the premium. Ask about deductibles, replacement cost vs. actual cash value, and whether your policy includes coverage for additional living expenses if you have to evacuate during a storm. A cheaper policy that leaves you underinsured is no bargain when you're filing a claim after a hurricane.
Local agents can also help you bundle policies to save money. Combining your auto and homeowners insurance with the same carrier often gets you a discount, and some insurers offer breaks for installing storm shutters, upgrading your roof, or having a monitored security system.
Tips for Galveston Residents
Document everything. Take photos and videos of your home, your belongings, and your vehicles. Store those files in the cloud so you can access them if you evacuate. After a storm, having proof of what you owned makes the claims process faster and less stressful.
Review your coverage every year. Property values change, construction costs go up, and your $300,000 dwelling coverage from five years ago might not be enough to rebuild your house today. An annual insurance checkup with your agent ensures you're not underinsured.
Understand your deductibles. Windstorm policies often have percentage deductibles based on your home's insured value. A 5% deductible on a $300,000 home means you pay the first $15,000 of any wind damage claim. Make sure you have enough emergency savings to cover that if a storm hits.
Getting Started with Your Galveston Insurance
Start by getting quotes from multiple local agents for all three required policies: homeowners, windstorm, and flood. Compare not just the price but what's actually covered. Ask about policy limits, exclusions, and how claims are handled.
Make sure your auto insurance includes PIP and uninsured motorist coverage, and consider adding comprehensive and collision if you have a newer vehicle. With Galveston's beach environment and heavy summer traffic, protecting your car from both weather and accident damage is worth the extra premium.
Insurance in Galveston isn't simple, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. Work with a local agent who knows the island, make sure you have all three required policies for your home, and review your coverage before hurricane season starts. That way, when the next storm spins up in the Gulf, you can focus on keeping your family safe instead of worrying about whether you're covered.
