Is windstorm insurance required in Texas?

Texas homeowners face some of the most extreme weather risks in the country. Along the Gulf Coast and across large portions of the Lone Star State, natural disasters like hurricanes, tropical storms, straight-line winds, and severe hailstorms cause billions of dollars in property damage each year. 

In many parts of Texas, wind and hail coverage is included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. But in certain coastal areas — called “tiered” or “first-tier” counties — insurance companies commonly exclude windstorm and hail coverage. Homeowners in high-risk areas may be required by their mortgage lenders to buy a separate windstorm insurance policy. And even if it’s not required, it’s smart to consider purchasing this coverage so a major storm doesn’t leave you buried in repair bills. 

Who needs Texas windstorm insurance?

Texas windstorm insurance is primarily for homeowners in high-risk coastal areas, but some inland properties may also benefit from a windstorm and hail policy. If your home is located in a region prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, or frequent hail events, you may need separate windstorm coverage if your homeowners policy excludes wind and hail damage.

Mortgage lenders usually require windstorm insurance for properties in designated tiered coastal counties in Texas. Without proof of windstorm coverage, you may not be able to close on a home or refinance your existing loan.

Where is windstorm insurance required in Texas?

Windstorm insurance is not required in most of Texas. However, it is mandatory for homes in the following first-tier coastal counties:

• Aransas County
• Brazoria County
• Calhoun County
• Cameron County
• Chambers County
• Galveston County
• Jefferson County
• Kenedy County
• Kleberg County
• Matagorda County
• Nueces County
• Refugio County
• San Patricio County
• Willacy County

If you live in one of these Texas counties, you’ll need to buy a separate windstorm policy either through a private insurer or the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).

What does Texas windstorm insurance cover?

Texas windstorm insurance covers damage caused by wind, wind-driven events like hurricanes and tropical storms, and hail. Notably, damage from flooding is excluded. Homeowners would need a flood endorsement or separate flood insurance policy to cover this type of damage.

Windstorm coverage only applies to your home and personal belongings. Policies include the following:

• Dwelling coverage (Coverage A): Covers damage to the main structure of your home caused by wind or hail
• Other structures coverage (Coverage B): Covers damage to detached structures on your property, such as garages, sheds, fences, gazebos, porches, and barns caused by wind or hail
• Personal property coverage (Coverage C): Covers damage to your personal belongings caused by a covered hail or wind event
• Loss of use coverage (Coverage D): Helps pay for additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to wind or hail damage

Windstorm insurance vs. home insurance

Put simply, windstorm insurance steps in to fill gaps in your homeowners policy if you live in an area where standard home insurance coverage excludes damage from wind and hail events. The table below highlights the key differences between windstorm insurance and home insurance, showing why homeowners in tiered Texas counties need both policies.

What is the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association?

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is a state-created, nonprofit insurer of last resort that provides windstorm and hail coverage in high-risk coastal areas. TWIA exists to ensure homeowners can get coverage when private insurers are unable to offer it.

You can only apply for a TWIA policy if you’ve been denied a wind and hail policy by at least one private insurance company. To get coverage through TWIA, contact your current insurance agent or company, or another company licensed to sell property insurance in Texas. The agent will submit your application to TWIA underwriting for approval. After receiving an offer of insurance, you’ll need to pay for your policy through your agent, mortgage company, or TWIA. 

How to get a WPI-8 certificate of compliance

You’ll need a WPI-8 certificate of compliance to buy windstorm insurance in Texas. The certificate is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and proves that your home meets Texas windstorm building code requirements.

If you’re planning new construction, a roof replacement, or major structural repairs, the certification process should start before work begins. A TDI-appointed inspector will inspect the construction process and completed work, then submit a completed construction inspection form (WPI-2E) through the TDI windstorm system.

If the work has already been completed without inspection, you’ll need to have a TDI-appointed inspector or licensed Texas professional engineer inspect the completed structure, complete the WPI-2E form, and submit it to TDI along with a sealed post-construction inspection report. 

Once TDI receives all the documentation and approves your application, it will issue the WPI-8 (for ongoing work) or WPI-8-E (for completed work) certificate of compliance. You can then share it with your insurance agent to buy or renew windstorm coverage.

You can use the TDI windstorm system to look up your certificate of compliance. If your certificate was issued by TWIA between January 1, 2017 and May 31, 2020, use the TWIA certificate lookup tool for the WPI-8-C certificate.

How much is windstorm insurance in Texas?

According to TWIA, the average residential premium for windstorm insurance in Texas is around $2,480 per year. 

Insurers calculate Texas windstorm insurance premiums based on several factors, including:

• The coverage types and policy limits you select
• The construction type of your home
• Any optional coverages you choose to add
• The policy deductible

How do windstorm deductibles work?

Standard homeowners policies often have a separate deductible for wind and hail claims. A standalone windstorm policy will also have a deductible, which is the amount of the covered loss the homeowner is responsible for paying out of pocket.

There are two main deductible types:

• Flat-dollar deductible: A fixed dollar amount 
• Percentage deductible: A percentage of your home’s insured value, which is usually 1%, 2%, or 5% in Texas

Example: Let’s say you have roof damage after a windstorm and file a claim. If you have a flat-dollar deductible of $2,500, insurance will help pay for covered loss up to your policy limit, minus the $2,500 you’re responsible for. But if your home is insured for $300,000 and has a 2% wind/hail deductible, you would be responsible for covering $6,000 of the covered loss out of pocket.

How to lower your Texas windstorm insurance premium

Homeowners who make their homes better able to withstand high winds may qualify for discounted insurance premiums. Check with your agent to determine which discounts may be available and how to qualify. 

Common wind mitigation strategies include:

• Installing storm shutters over your windows and glass doors or using impact-rated glass
• Using hurricane clips or straps to attach the roof to the building
• Installing impact-resistant roof shingles
• Adding a secondary water-resistant layer under the roof shingles
• Choosing a hip roof shape instead of a gable roof shape to reduce wind pressure
• Reinforcing roof decking

You can also shop around and compare quotes from multiple Texas insurance companies to find the cheapest price on a wind and hail insurance policy.