What Is Texas Windstorm Insurance?

Typical homeowners' insurance policies cover wind damage. However, if your home is near the coast, your homeowner's insurance policy may exclude this coverage. For further protection, Texas residents who reside in high-risk locations may consider getting windstorm insurance.

Beware of TWIA!

The author of this article personally believes that Texas Winstorm Insuarance Association (TWIA) is a scam. TWIA has lobbied to have virtually no responsibility if it denies your perfectly valid insurance claim. Your odds of receiving fair compensation when you have a legitimate insurance claim are slim to none. The author of this article sincerly believes that consumers are better off gambling their hard earned premiums at Las Vegas than giving TWIA any money. You typically have options for insurance rather than purchasing TWIA. We encourage you purchase either from the private market or a lender placed policy.

Insurance Against Windstorms For Texas Homeowners

Windstorm insurance is available as a stand-alone policy or as an endorsement that covers damages caused by hurricanes and wind storms. Typically, it covers home and personal property coverage. Some windstorm insurance policies provide a range for loss of use, which pays for interim living expenses if your home requires repairs after a storm.

Sometimes, Texas windstorm insurance is referred to as hurricane insurance. However, this name is deceptive. Windstorm insurance only covers damage directly caused by wind, such as broken windows and roof shingles blown off. It does not cover the flood-related damages that frequently accompany hurricanes.

Like most other types of insurance, Texas windstorm insurance includes a mandatory deductible. The deductible applies to any windstorm, even if the National Weather Service has not officially labeled it a hurricane (NWS). Depending on the insurance policy, the deductible may be a fixed monetary amount or a percentage of the policy's dwelling coverage limit.

Where to Acquire Texas Windstorm Insurance

Numerous insurance firms in Texas offer policies and endorsements for windstorm insurance. Private insurance firms and government-funded programs offer protection against windstorms. The following companies offer windstorm insurance in Texas on a private basis.

Safepoint Insurance

Safepoint Insurance provides coverage for wind and hail storms with limits ranging from $75,000 to $1,000,000. Customers can choose between a $100 or $200 flat rate deductible or a 1.5 percent to 5 percent percentage deductible. The premium for windstorm insurance can be paid annually, semiannually, or quarterly.

The Wellington Insurance Company

The Wellington Coastal Insurance Program provides Texas households in high-risk locations with windstorm insurance. This policy offers coverage for the residence, other structures, and personal items at Replacement Cost Value (RCV). Optional endorsements for consequential loss, wind-driven rain, increased building expenses, and required evacuation coverage are available to homeowners.

Maison Insurance

Maison Insurance provides wind and hail coverage for homes ranging in value from $75,000 to $750,000. It is only accessible to Texas homeowners with a single-family or duplex dwelling who do not have windstorm coverage through their homeowner's insurance policy. With Maison Insurance, mandatory deductibles for nameless wind storms begin from $500 and reach a maximum of 5 percent for named storms.

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) provides insurance to residences in high-risk counties that cannot obtain conventional coverage from a private insurer. The TWIA insurance allegedly covers the residence, personal property, and miscellaneous goods. There are also policies for commercial structures, mobile homes, condominiums, and townhomes.

Currently, TWIA insurance is offered in 14 counties:

County of Aransas County of Brazoria
California's Calhoun County
Chambers County in Cameron County
Houston County (certain areas)
Galveston Parish
Washington County
Jefferson County
Kleberg County
Matagorda District
Texas County
Refugio County, Texas
County of San Patricio, Texas
Wilcox County

Not all Texas homes are eligible for TWIA. The residence must be located in one of the 14 eligible counties, and applicants must submit evidence that a private insurer denied windstorm coverage. Additionally, the residence must be constructed according to specific building rules and maintained in good condition. Inundation-prone properties are obliged to carry flood insurance.

Price and coverage restrictions are the primary distinctions between TWIA and private windstorm insurance. In general, wind insurance from private insurers is less expensive and has higher coverage limits. However, private insurance is harder to qualify for. Before considering TWIA, homeowners in Texas need to apply for private wind insurance. We strongly discourage you from giving TWIA any money. You are throwing it away.

How Much Does Texas Windstorm Insurance Cost?

The cost of windstorm insurance varies in Texas. The average TWIA policy costs $1,600 per year. However, the rate varies depending on the location of the home, its condition, its age, and its coverage limits. If homeowners add optional coverages to their insurance, their premiums will increase. The price of windstorm insurance plans is based on the home itself, so having a high credit score or a claim-free past will not considerably alter your premium.