Windstorm Insurance

In the 14 Tier 1 counties of the Texas Gulf Coast,
the majority of property insurance companies exclude windstorm coverage.

 

Galveston Insurance Associates has different windstorm coverage options available.

 

WINDSTORM INSURANCE INSPECTIONS

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is the state’s insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage in the 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County*.  TWIA provides wind and hail coverage when insurance companies exclude it from homeowners and other property policies sold to coastal residents.

 

Qualifying for TWIA Coverage:

The Inspection Process

If you plan to build, add to, or renovate a home or other structure and want TWIA coverage, you or your builder should request an inspection by a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) windstorm inspector or a Texas licensed professional engineer appointed by TDI.  The inspectors verify compliance with state standards for wind-resistant construction. To request an inspection, use TDI’s request form or write a letter including:

• The location of the structure
• The name of the builder/contractor, insurance company/agent, engineer, and contact person(s)
• A description of the structure, the type of construction, the type of inspection needed, and materials to be used
• The construction start date and the date you need the first inspection.

 

You can obtain a request form from your local TDI field office or by calling TDI at

1-800-248-6032 (322-2203 in Austin). 

 

Send the form or letter to your local TDI office or the

Texas Department of Insurance

Windstorm Inspection Program (103-1E)

P O Box 149104

Austin TX 78714-9104

 

After receiving your request, TDI will assign you an inspector and a file number and provide you with more inspection information.  Notify the inspector when each new phase of construction needs inspecting.  TDI inspectors check all structure within 48 hours of the requested date, excluding weekends and state and federal holidays.

 

Consider having your structure inspected during construction or remodeling, even if you don’t plan to seek TWIA coverage.  You or your property’s future owner may seek coverage later.  TDI inspectors are unable to inspect your property after you complete construction.  If you wait until you complete construction, you may need to hire an engineer to inspect the property.

 

Full inspection isn’t always necessary if the repair is minor or the repair area is small.  Call TDI to determine if your building needs an inspection.

 

Note:    When a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico (80 degrees longitude and 20 degrees latitude), you can no longer change or purchase new Windstorm coverage along the Texas Coast.

Types of Inspections

Inspectors may inspect your property several times, depending on whether you are building from the foundation up or adding on.  Types of inspections and items examined include:

• Foundation – reinforcement and bolt tie downs on slab foundations; pier and beam foundations up to and including floor joists; piling foundations for proper piling type, size, spacing and depth of embedment
• Rough Framing – framing, bracing, rafter and stud anchorage, and roof decking after they are in place but before any interior finishing
• Final Framing – roof covering and exterior finish to ensure proper installation before trim finishing
• Mechanical – unless outside mechanical equipment is in place when the final framing inspection is conducted.  Inspectors may return a fourth time to make sure mechanical equipment is secure.

 

If the structure does not comply with state construction standards, the inspector will post a notice at the building identifying the problems and corrections needed to bring the structure into compliance.  The inspector will reinspect the site after you correct the problems. Please be sure to contact your local windstorm inspection field office after making corrections.

 

NOTE: The Texas Engineering Practice Act (Sections 19-20, Article 327a, VT CS) requires that engineers design certain structures more than one story or with a span between supports of more than 24 feet. These structures include public works projects costing more than $20,000, apartments or condominiums of a certain size, and commercial buildings with more than 5,000 square feet of space. An engineer, rather than a TDI inspector, must inspect these structures and certify them.

 

After the Final Inspection

After all inspections are complete and applicable fees paid, TDI will issue a certificate of compliance making you structure eligible for TWIA coverage.  Give your insurance agent or company a copy of the certificate and keep one with your deed.  You can transfer the certificate to future owners if you sell your property.

 

NOTE:     Do not confuse a TDI inspection with the steps you need to take after you have a loss.  If you live on the coast and must make repairs after a storm or loss, contact

 

• Your insurance agent and follow the proper claim adjustment procedures
• TDI to confirm that inspectors are available when you make repairs.

 

If your property is damaged in a storm, try to talk to your agent before making temporary repairs.  Make only emergency repairs necessary to avoid additional damage.  If possible, photograph the damage before making any repairs.

 

Inspection Cost

The four-phase inspection by TDI costs $100 for new structures that are 1,000 square feet or larger; $35 for structures less than 1,000 square feet; and $35 for additions to existing structures.  These costs include inspection of the foundation, framing, final framing, and mechanical equipment.  You must pay all inspection fees in advance.  There is no fee for a TDI inspection of repairs or re-roofs.  Make payments by check or money order payable to the Texas Department of Insurance.  TDI waives the inspection fee if a Texas licensed professional engineer conducts the inspection.  Inspection fees charged by engineers will vary.

 

Windstorm Inspection Offices

Field Office	County	Telephone
Beaumont	Jefferson	409-892-4677
Mont Belvieu	Chambers Parts of Harris*	281-385-1798
La Marque	Galveston	409-986-9552 281-474-5025
Angleton	Brazoria	409-848-0953
Bay City	Matagorda Calhoun	409-244-9451 361-552-2501
Corpus Christi	Kleberg Nueces Aransas San Patricio Refugio	361-881-9463
Harlingen	Cameron Willacy Kenedy	956-421-4675

*  Includes only properties inside the city limits and east of Highway 146 in the towns of Seabrook, Morgan’s Point, LaPorte, Shoreacres, and Pasadena.

 

For More Information

TDI offers publications and services to help you learn more about insurance and resolve insurance-related complaints.  Publications are available in alternate languages and formats.

 

For general information and information about how to resolve insurance-related complaints, call the Consumer Help Line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Central time, Monday – Friday

            1-800-252-3439

            (463-6515 in Austin)

 

For copies of TDI’s free consumer publications, call the 24-hour Publications Order Line

            1-800-599-SHOP (7467)

            (305-7211 in Austin)

 

To view TDI publications on-line, visit their Internet website…

            www.tdi.state.tx.us

  

The above information is current as of the November 1999 publication date.  Changes in laws and agency administrative rules made after the date of publication may affect the content. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR INSUREDS

Your Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policy covers only damage from wind and hail to the items listed in your TWIA policy.  If you have a loss from another peril, such as wave wash, flood, lightning, theft, vandalism, etc., you do not have coverage under the TWIA policy.  Check other policies you own to see if you have coverage with another insurance company.

 

Please make temporary repairs and dry-out/protect your property as quickly as possible after a loss to prevent further damage.  Do not make permanent repairs, such as a roof replacement, until the adjuster has made an inspection.

 

Helpful hints to protect your property after a loss:

• Cover openings with a tarp, plastic or use other temporary measures to prevent additional water damage, and dry out water damaged/wet areas immediately to protect against mold growth.
• Use fans and dehumidifiers to move the air and reduce moisture.  Open closets and cabinet doors.
• If the damage is severe enough, call a contractor who specializes in drying out water-damaged buildings.  Look in the yellow pages under Fire and Water Damage Restoration or under Dehumidifying.
• Move things to a safe, dry place.  If any clothing or linens are wet or stored in damp areas, machine-wash or dry-clean them immediately and store them in a dry place.
• Put things that are obviously ruined outside to dry until the adjuster comes to confirm your losses.
• Look for wet areas on ceilings.  If dripping, place a bucket under the leak.  Drain the area carefully.  Poke a hole at the edge of the wet area(s) so any trapped water can drain.  Keep poking holes as you move to the lowest point.  Shut off electricity in the areas, and do not get close to lights and other electrical fixtures with your stick.  Remove soaked or sagging sheetrock using caution-it may be heavy.  Remove the debris in sealed plastic garbage bags, and keep it outside for the adjuster to see.  Remove any wet insulation in the ceiling to allow the joists to dry.
• Check for moist sheetrock or water on the floor at the base of walls.  If you think water is in the wall, take off the baseboard.  Cut or drill a small hole into the wall about 2 inches above the floor (just above the 2x4 wood sill plate, but low enough so it can be covered by the baseboard after the wall dries out).  If water drips out, cut or drill a hole large enough to allow water to drain freely.  Catch the water in a pan.  Make a hole every 16 inches to drain and ventilate wet wall spaces.  Shut off electricity in the area, and do not use tools close to live switches, outlets and other electrical fixtures.  Use fans to ventilate and dry wet areas.
• If you have water behind wall paneling, carefully pry the bottom of each panel away from the wall.  Use something to hold the bottom away from the sill so the wall cavities can drain and dry out.  Use fans to ventilate and dry wet areas.
• Carpeting should be actively dried using fans and/or heaters.  Large area of wet carpeting should be pulled up, dried using fans and/or heaters, and wet padding removed and disposed of.  If the wet area is extensive or the carpeting is old, it may be necessary to remove it from the building.  Hard Floor surfaces should be dried with a mop or towel.
• Before tearing out or removing damaged property or debris, take pictures or videotapes if possible.  Keep any damaged property until the adjuster sees it and approves of disposal.
• If your loss is covered by the policy, reasonable costs for temporary repairs are covered, so be sure to keep invoices and receipts.

 

If a wind or hail loss occurs, immediately notify your agent or T.W.I.A.:

• T.W.I.A. will assign your claim to an independent claim-adjusting firm in your area.

• T.W.I.A. will send you a letter acknowledging your claim and give you the name of the adjusting firm.

• The adjuster will call you for an appointment to inspect the damaged property.

• If you have any questions before an adjuster has contacted you, please contact the adjusting firm assigned to your loss.

 

You must provide the adjuster with the following information and documentation:

• Proof of Loss: Within 91 days after the date of T.W.I.A.’s claim acknowledgment, unless we extend the time in writing, you must submit a signed, sworn Proof of Loss form.  The T.W.I.A. adjuster will provide you with this form.
• Inventory: If coverage is provided on your personal property, provide a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property.  Include a description and age of items, their cost at the time of purchase and their estimated replacement cost today.
• Documentation: Provide information and documentation relating to the damage you claim or any other insurance claims you have made relating to the damage.  This includes estimates, canceled checks, invoices, and receipts, photos or videos.
• Other Claims: Provide information and documentation concerning any other water damage and repairs you have had, whether due to plumbing leaks, flood, air-conditioning system leaks, or other water sources.

 

The final decision on your claim will be made by T.W.I.A.:

• The adjuster will report their findings to T.W.I.A. with their recommendations.
• If you are due a payment for your loss, a check will be issued and sent to your agent.

 

T.W.I.A. does not have insurance agents.  The insurance agent acts only on your behalf and has no right to act or speak on behalf of T.W.I.A.

If you disagree with our decision on your loss, you can appeal to the Texas Department of Insurance (T.D.I.), or you can bring action against the Association in the county where your covered property is located or in a district court of Travis County.  (Refer to the Dispute Resolution section of the policy for more details.)  If you wish to appeal, you have 30 days after the final decision of T.W.I.A.  You will be notified of the time deadlines.  For more information on how to appeal, you may write or call: Texas Department of Insurance, Chief Clerk’s Office (113-2A), 333 Guadalupe St., P.O. Box 149109, Austin, TX 78714-9109, (512)463-6326.

 

Remember, to qualify for insurance through T.W.I.A., most permanent repairs must be inspected by a T.D.I. inspector or by a Texas licensed professional engineer.  The inspection must verify compliance with the Building Code for Windstorm Resistant Construction.  These inspections must be made before and during the permanent repair process if completed by a T.D.I. inspector.  you can call 1-800-248-6032 or 512-322-2203 for more details about the inspection process, or you can write to: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspection program (103-1E), P O Box 149104, Austin, TX 78714-9104.

 

Do not confuse the inspection process with the adjustment process of your claim.  They are entirely different in that the adjustment process is part of your claim and the inspection process is necessary for you to be able to get future insurance from T.W.I.A.

 

NOTE: This page is not a part of your policy and is not intended to be a complete description of all your rights and responsibilities under your policy.  Refer to the provision "Duties After Loss: under the CONDITIONS section in your policy for specific policy requirements.  This page does not address every provision under your policy.