The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) is Mississippi’s insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage. Coverage is only available to Mississippi homeowners in coastal (or near-coastal) counties that can’t get windstorm coverage from the standard market.
Wind and hail insurance through the MWUA in Mississippi is more expensive than through the standard market because it’s designed for high-risk homes that standard insurers won’t cover. However, MWUA-eligible homeowners may qualify for discounts through the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Program.
What is the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association?
The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association — commonly known as the “windpool” — provides insurance against windstorm damage for high-risk homes in six Mississippi counties, including Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Stone, George, and Pearl River. The Mississippi Legislature created the MWUA in 1987 via House Bill 274 as an option for homeowners who couldn’t get wind and hail coverage through the standard market. The Mississippi Insurance Department (MID) oversees this state-authorized association, which is managed by MS Plans, LLC.
MWUA provides coverage for wind and hail perils only — perils being the specific events like a storm or fire that can cause damage to your home. Homeowners in these six counties who obtain coverage via MWUA will still need to purchase standard home insurance for all other covered events. Notably, neither a standard Mississippi homeowners insurance policy nor MWUA insurance provides coverage for flood damage. For that, homeowners will need to purchase a separate Mississippi flood insurance policy.
Who qualifies for Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association coverage?
Not every homeowner in Mississippi is eligible for coverage through the MWUA. Rather, it’s reserved for homeowners who can’t obtain wind and hail insurance through the standard market. To qualify, homes must be in one of six Mississippi counties on or near the Gulf Coast:
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Harrison
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Hancock
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Jackson
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Stone
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George
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Pearl River
Homeowners must also show documentation that standard insurers declined to write wind and hail coverage, and the home must meet MWUA's other eligibility requirements. For more details, contact a licensed Mississippi insurance agent, who will need to submit the application on your behalf.
What Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association policies cover and what they exclude
MWUA coverage is not comprehensive. It only provides financial protection against damage caused by wind and hail. Policies include dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, and optional personal property coverage.
|
Coverage type |
Coverage limit |
|
Dwelling coverage (Coverage A) |
Based on the rebuild cost of the home |
|
Other structures coverage (Coverage B) |
10% of the dwelling coverage limit |
|
Personal property coverage (Coverage C) |
Optional add-on — you choose the amount, up to MWUA's cap |
How to apply for MWUA coverage
Unlike the standard home insurance market, which you can shop on your own, getting MWUA coverage requires working with a licensed Mississippi insurance agent. The agent will gather information about you and your home, then apply for you. They can also answer questions about the program and process.
To apply, you’ll need all the property details, any requested inspection or underwriting documentation, and proof of declination. You may be able to obtain declination proof by working with the licensed agent, who can first try to help you get wind and hail coverage through the standard market.
Mitigation credits for FORTIFIED homes
In 2025, the Mississippi Legislature shut down the Strengthen Mississippi Homes grant program as it previously existed. However, in 2026, Mississippi passed Senate Bill 2409, which reestablished the Strengthen Mississippi Homes Program (SMHP) with new guidelines.
For 2026, the program is specifically reserved for homeowners who have MWUA policies in the three lower Gulf Coast counties (Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson). These homeowners must also have had such a policy for three consecutive years. Qualifying grant recipients can receive up to $10,000 to upgrade/retrofit their homes to meet FORTIFIED Roof standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
These standards are designed to make homes more resistant to severe weather, including heavy winds. They also qualify Mississippi homeowners for significant MWUA policy discounts:
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17% for IBHS Bronze fortifications
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25% for IBHS Silver fortifications
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30% for IBHS Gold fortifications
In 2027, the program is expected to roll out to all Mississippi homeowners.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association created?
The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association was created in 1987. The Mississippi Legislature created the MWUA via House Bill 274 so that homeowners in coastal Mississippi could still get coverage for wind and hail damage, despite living in a high-risk area.
Is wind insurance required in Mississippi?
Wind insurance is not required by Mississippi law, but given the extreme weather risks, especially along the Gulf Coast, carrying it is a good idea anyway. Your mortgage lender may also require that you carry a home insurance policy that includes coverage for wind and hail damage.
What does a standard homeowners policy typically not cover in Mississippi?
A standard home insurance policy excludes coverage for floods and earthquakes. Mississippi residents who live on or near the coast may also find that they can’t qualify for a standard policy with wind and hail coverage, in which case they’d need to obtain coverage through the MWUA. MWUA insurance only provides coverage for wind and hail damage. You’ll need to obtain flood insurance separately.
