Why Texas Auto Policies Get Declined: New TDI Tool

What's new

On October 15, 2026, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) added personal auto insurance data to its transparency page that shows why policies are declined, canceled, or not renewed (TDI news release). For your area, the page shows the number of insured cars and how many nonrenewals, cancellations, and declinations insurance companies reported. The change comes from House Bill 2067 (2025), which also requires insurers to give you a written explanation when they decline, cancel, or don't renew a home or auto policy.

If you're shopping for a car in Houston or anywhere in Texas, insurance is part of the deal, and this tool can help you see what's behind a "no."

How the TDI tool works

From TDI's Reasons policies are declined, not renewed, or canceled page:

• You can search by ZIP code and policy type, but not by insurance company.
• Reporting started April 1, 2026. The page also includes reasons from earlier notices for policies nonrenewing on or after that date.
• There are two reports. Reasons cited in notices shows how often each reason was used, alone or together. Actions shows how many policies were declined, not renewed, or canceled.

TDI defines the three actions:

• Declination: the company didn't approve your application.
• Nonrenewal: the company didn't renew your policy after it ended.
• Cancellation: the company stopped your policy before its end date.

Reasons that matter for auto buyers

TDI's list of reason types includes:

• Claims history/driving record. The company decided your past claims or driving record made you too risky.
• Credit or insurance score. TDI says a company can't decline, cancel, or nonrenew a home or auto policy based only on credit information. If credit is listed, another reason must be listed too (Insurance Code 559.052(a)(2)).
• Failure to pay premiums when due (Insurance Code 551.104(b)(1)).
• Driver's license or vehicle registration suspended or revoked, for the policyholder or another resident.
• Insurer's concentration of risk. The company is limiting its exposure in an area or line of insurance. This one is about the insurer, not you.
• At the insured's request.

What to do if you get a notice

1. Read the written reason. Texas law now requires insurers to tell you why. That reason tells you what to fix, or whether there's anything to fix at all.

2. If it's credit-only, ask questions. TDI says credit can't be the only reason.

3. If it's the insurer's concentration of risk, shop around. That reason is about the company's exposure, not your record.

4. Check your ZIP code on the TDI tool to see how common each action and reason is where you live.

5. Line up coverage before you pick up a car. If you're financing, the lender will set its own coverage requirements. Our guide to car insurance when buying a car in Texas walks through the steps.

6. Questions? Call the TDI Help Line at 800-252-3439.

A note on what this data can't tell you

The tool reports reasons and counts by ZIP code. It doesn't name companies, and it can't predict your own quote. Use it to understand the reasons behind a decision, not as a rate estimate. This article is general information, not insurance or legal advice.

Shopping for a car?

Getting your insurance sorted out early makes the rest of the purchase go more smoothly. We offer financing for good, bad, thin, or no credit, with a wide lender network that includes lenders who work with damaged or limited credit. We deliver free anywhere in Texas and nationwide outside Texas, and you can see live inventory on the site.

See what you qualify for. It takes about 20 seconds to start, with no credit check at that step. Same-day answers are typical, not guaranteed.