Short answer: Travis County's FEMA National Risk Index report ranks hazards for Austin tracts. The Texas FAIR Plan is the residual property market after two licensed declinations.
This guide is general information for homeowners and drivers in the Austin area (Travis County). It isn't legal advice or a coverage determination. Your policy wording, underwriting, city and county ordinances, and state insurance and motor-vehicle rules control. Check your address on FEMA's National Risk Index (county report for Travis County) and the Flood Map Service Center.
Local hazards: FEMA National Risk Index for Travis County
Open FEMA's National Risk Index and the Travis County report.
Federal disaster declarations in Travis County
FEMA's disaster declarations data shows 18 major disaster declarations that included Travis County since 1991, led by flood events (7), severe storm events (5) and hurricane events (2). The most recent: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding, 2025, Severe Winter Storm, 2023, Severe Winter Storms, 2021 and Severe Storms and Flooding, 2019. FEMA also lists 11 emergency declarations for the county in the same data.
Austin's floodplain is bigger than the old maps
The city's Floodplain Office estimates that about 10% of Austin's land lies in a floodplain. The 2018 NOAA Atlas 14 study showed that a 100-year storm in parts of Central Texas is now closer to 13 inches of rain in 24 hours, compared with the 10.2 inches behind the current maps. Until new maps are finished, Austin regulates development using the current FEMA 500-year floodplain. If a FEMA map says you're outside the 100-year zone, that doesn't tell you the whole story. Look up your address on ATXFloodPro before you decide against a flood policy.
Remodeling a home in the floodplain
Austin limits how much work can be done on an existing building in the floodplain before the whole building has to meet current floodplain rules, so every remodel permit needs a cost estimate. Owners doing their own work still have to estimate labor as if they had hired it out. The city's floodplain regulations also require new foundation slabs to sit at least two feet above the 100-year flood elevation. For an older home near a creek, ordinance-or-law coverage and a flood policy's Increased Cost of Compliance benefit are worth asking about.
Residual market: Texas FAIR Plan
Same statewide TFPA / TDI overview rules as Houston/Dallas: generally two licensed declinations and agent submission. Austin is outside the TWIA seacoast area.
Auto: 30/60/25
TDI auto guide and TxDMV: at least 30/60/25 with proof of insurance at registration.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Texas.
Frequently asked questions
What auto liability does Texas require?
At least 30/60/25.
Does an Austin homeowners policy cover flood?
No; flood needs a separate policy.
Does my Austin landlord's policy cover my belongings?
No; renters insurance covers them.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.