Galveston Windstorm Insurance
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
WHAT IS TWIA?
TWIA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1971 in response to regional market conditions following Hurricane Celia in August 1970. TWIA’s purpose is to provide wind and hail insurance to the Texas coast.
A TWIA policy provides wind and hail coverage when insurance companies exclude it from homeowners and other property policies sold to coastal residents.
COVERAGE & ELIGIBILITY
To obtain or continue windstorm and hail coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), property must meet certain requirements established by the Texas Legislature. These requirements are outlined in Texas Insurance Code Chapter 2210
COVERAGE TYPES
Residential: Dwellings, personal property, manufactured homes
Commercial: Commercial buildings, business personal property, townhouses and condominiums
Miscellaneous Items: Including but not limited to signs, fences, swimming pools and flagpoles
REQUIREMENTS
In order to be eligible for a TWIA policy, applicants and properties must meet the following criteria:
Properties must be located in the area designated by the Commissioner of Insurance, which currently includes all 14 first-tier coastal counties (Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Willacy) and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146
Applicants must have been denied coverage by at least one authorized insurer actively writing or renewing windstorm and hail coverage in the designated area
Properties must be certified by the Texas Department of Insurance (WPI-8) or Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (WPI-8-C) as having been built to applicable building codes, with limited exceptions
Properties located in flood zones V, VE, or V1-30 that were constructed, altered, remodeled, or enlarged on or after September 1, 2009 and that can obtain flood insurance through the NFIP must provide proof of flood insurance coverage and
Properties must meet all other Association underwriting requirements, including maintaining the structure in an insurable condition – in good repair, with no unrepaired damage or hazardous conditions.
TWIA regularly inspects properties as part of its underwriting process to determine the accuracy of rating information, discover any unrepaired damage, and identify any other conditions that affect the insurability of the property. Properties may be inspected physically by a vendor or remotely with high-quality aerial imagery and risk management reports. Policies may be reevaluated at any time to ensure continued compliance with all eligibility requirements.
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Rochkind Insurance serves the greater Galveston and Houston areas. Please contact us today to get a Galveston Windstorm Insurance quote. We are here to assist you in any way.
Call Rochkind Insurance at (409) 770-9503.
