Nueces County doubles property coverage to $150M and lowers premium to $2.4M, brokers say

NUECES COUNTY — The Nueces County Commissioner’s Court unanimously approved an insurance renewal for the 2026–27 coverage year that increases the county’s property loss limit from $75 million to $150 million while reducing the recommended premium to about $2.4 million, brokers told the court on May 27.

County‑contracted brokers said the local insurance market has softened in the past two to three years, allowing the county to buy higher blanket limits for less than last year’s premium. "The property itself is very positive. You’re able to take your limit from 75 to 150 million," one broker told the court, explaining that doubling the limit yielded a roughly $228,000 reduction on the property line compared with last year’s rates.

Staff and the broker team noted some coverages rose because of local loss history — notably auto liability and law‑enforcement coverage — and recommended a mix of carriers to obtain the broader blanket coverage for named storms. Commissioners asked for additional historical loss data on the lines that increased so the court and staff could explore loss‑reduction measures.

The court approved the renewal on a voice vote.

Why it matters: Doubling the county’s catastrophe exposure limit strengthens the county’s insured protection against large storm losses while reducing near‑term premium expense; the change shifts potential risk management decisions to county departments that handle law enforcement and vehicle operations.

What’s next: Staff will follow up with loss‑history details and may recommend risk‑management steps to reduce exposure where possible.