Houston-area homeowners say insurance companies are denying their coverage ahead of hurricane season [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — ABC13 IT specialist Jeff Hooge and his wife are on the hunt for new home insurers after getting a letter from Progressive in the mail on Monday

“They are canceling our insurance after our policy expires, and they won’t renew it because we are in a hurricane zone,” Hooge said.

Hooge said he’s spent years paying into an insurance policy to be prepared for an emergency and feels cheated to have that taken away.

“It’s just frustrating. You’d think the insurance companies are there to help you out when you’re in need, but then they cancel and don’t want to pay out,” Hooge said.

According to insurance adjuster Art Jansen, insurers canceling policies in high-risk areas is legal and not uncommon.

“People are spending more money and probably getting less coverage and higher deductibles right now,” Jansen said.

Jansen said as the cost to fix and rebuild homes goes up, …