What is a TWIA Policy, and Do I Need One?
What is a TWIA Policy, and Do I Need One?
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is a state agency that provides windstorm and hail insurance for those in the Texas Gulf area who have been denied coverage by standard insurers. TWIA was created in the early 1970s after Hurricane Celia caused extensive enough damage that insurers stopped selling policies in coastal areas deemed to be at high risk for future storm damage.
Hurricane Celia was considered a “black swan”–an unexpected event with extreme consequences that could not have been predicted. Fifty years later, our world is very different. Global conditions have changed so much that no meteorologist can predict with confidence against another Celia-like storm striking this year or next.
Five Major Hurricanes Predicted in 2022
While Storms Bonnie and Colin left relatively little destruction in their wake, several months of hurricane season still remain, and there’s no telling how strong Earl, Fiona, or Gaston may turn out to be. In early July, weather forecasters predicted the U.S. would likely experience ten hurricanes this year, five of them major–meaning they’ll reach sustained winds above 111 miles per hour.
Eligibility Requirements for TWIA Insurance
To qualify for a TWIA policy, applicants and properties must meet the following conditions:
Location: You must be located in one of the 14 first-tier coastal counties: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kennedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Willacy, and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146.
Types of Structures That Qualify for TWIA Insurance:
- 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
- You must be able to show proof of having been denied coverage.
- The Texas Department of Insurance must have certified that your building was built according to the applicable building codes.
- Depending on the year the building was constructed, additional conditions may apply.
In addition, you must be diligent about keeping the structure up to code and in good repair. TWIA regularly conducts surprise inspections to ensure the property still conforms to the conditions stated in the application. Inspections may be on-site or taken from the sky, using high-quality aerial imagery.
If you have questions about your storm-related insurance, contact Manfred Sternberg & Associates, a full-service law firm in Houston, Texas. You can contact us here or call us at 713-547-5460.
