Texas Windstorm Insurance
Compare TWIA and private wind and hail coverage for homes along the Texas coast
Texas Windstorm Insurance: The Complete Guide for Coastal Homeowners
If you own a home anywhere from Port Arthur to South Padre Island, wind and hail are the biggest threats to your roof, your walls and your budget. Many homeowners policies sold along the Texas coast leave wind and hail out entirely, which means a hurricane, tropical storm or spring hailstorm could leave you paying for the damage yourself. Texas windstorm insurance closes that gap. This guide explains who needs it, what it covers, what it costs, how TWIA works and how to get the best price, in plain English.
We are an independent, licensed Texas agency. We compare 15 carriers, including TWIA, side by side, and we answer the phone 24/7 at (281) 715-7800.
What is windstorm insurance?
Windstorm insurance pays to repair or rebuild your home and replace your belongings after damage caused by wind or hail. That includes damage from hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and hailstorms. Think of it as the missing piece of a coastal home's coverage: your homeowners policy handles fire, theft and liability, your windstorm coverage handles wind and hail, and a flood policy handles rising water.
You can get wind and hail coverage two ways on the Texas coast:
- From a private insurance company, often included in a single homeowners policy that covers wind, hail, hurricane and everything else.
- From the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), as a wind-and-hail-only policy that sits alongside a homeowners policy that excludes wind.
Is windstorm insurance required in Texas?
No Texas law requires you to buy it. In practice, though, almost every coastal homeowner with a mortgage needs it, because lenders require proof of wind and hail coverage before they will close a purchase or refinance. If your homeowners policy excludes wind, the lender will ask for a separate windstorm policy, a binder or a declarations page before closing day.
Even if your home is paid off, going without wind coverage on the coast means betting your largest asset against the next hurricane season.
Which Texas counties need windstorm coverage?
Wind is most often excluded, and TWIA coverage is available, in the 14 first-tier coastal counties plus part of Harris County:
| Region | Counties |
|---|---|
| Upper coast | Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, and Harris County east of Highway 146 |
| Brazoria and Matagorda Bay | Brazoria, Matagorda, Calhoun |
| Coastal Bend | Aransas, Refugio, San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg |
| South Texas and the Valley | Kenedy, Willacy, Cameron |
Homes just inland can still take hurricane-force wind, so it is worth checking your policy for a wind exclusion even outside these counties. Find your area in our list of coastal communities we serve.
What does Texas windstorm insurance cover?
A windstorm policy is built around the same parts as a homeowners policy, but it pays only for wind and hail losses:
- Dwelling: your home's structure, including the roof, walls, windows and attached structures.
- Other structures: detached garages, fences, sheds, carports and similar buildings.
- Personal property: furniture, clothing, electronics and other belongings damaged by wind, or by rain that enters through wind damage.
- Additional living expenses: on many policies, the extra cost of living elsewhere while wind damage is repaired.
What it does not cover: flooding and storm surge, fire, theft, personal liability and normal wear and tear. Those belong to your flood and homeowners policies.
Windstorm vs. homeowners vs. flood insurance
| Type of loss | Homeowners (wind excluded) | Windstorm | Flood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane wind tears off roof | No | Yes | No |
| Hail damages roof or siding | No | Yes | No |
| Storm surge or rising water | No | No | Yes |
| Kitchen fire | Yes | No | No |
| Burglary | Yes | No | No |
| Guest injured at your home | Yes | No | No |
Most coastal homes need all three. Some private carriers combine homeowners and windstorm into one policy, which leaves only flood to add. See how they fit together on our coastal Texas home insurance page and read more about flood insurance.
TWIA: the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
TWIA was created by the Texas Legislature to provide wind and hail coverage on the coast when private insurers will not. It is the insurer of last resort, so it is a safety net, not the first stop. To qualify, a home generally must:
- Be in TWIA's coastal service area (the counties above).
- Have been turned down for wind coverage by at least one private insurer that writes wind in the area.
- Be certified as built to the windstorm building code with a WPI-8, WPI-8-E or WPI-8-C certificate, with limited exceptions.
- Carry flood insurance, if it is in a V flood zone and was built or substantially changed on or after September 1, 2009.
- Be in good, insurable condition.
You apply for TWIA through a licensed agent like us. Read the full rules on TWIA's coverage and eligibility page, or compare your options in TWIA vs. private windstorm insurance.
The WPI-8 windstorm certificate
A WPI-8 is a certificate of compliance from the Texas Department of Insurance showing that construction meets the windstorm building code. It matters most when you want TWIA coverage. Here is how it works:
- New home, new roof or addition: arrange a TDI-appointed windstorm inspection before work begins. The inspector checks the work in stages, and TDI issues a WPI-8 when it is complete.
- Work already finished without inspection: a Texas licensed professional engineer may be able to evaluate it and apply for a WPI-8-E.
- Certificates from 2017 to 2020: TWIA issued WPI-8-C certificates during that period, and they are looked up through TWIA.
You can search existing certificates with the TDI windstorm lookup. Our WPI-8 certificate guide walks through every step.
How much does windstorm insurance cost in Texas?
TWIA reports an average residential premium of about $2,541 a year (as of June 30, 2026), for wind and hail only. TWIA did not raise rates for 2026, and its board voted to file no rate change for 2027.
Private carriers often quote a single policy that includes wind. Recent examples we have written include about $3,354 for a 1973 home in Lake Jackson, $2,726 for a new home in Port O'Connor and $4,322 for a 2008 home in Galveston, each covering wind, hail, hurricane and other homeowners perils (flood not included). See every example on our windstorm insurance cost page.
What drives your price:
- How close the home is to the Gulf or a bay (for private carriers)
- Year built, construction type and windstorm certification
- Roof age, shape and material
- Your coverage amount and deductible
- Optional coverages you add
How windstorm deductibles work
Many coastal policies use a percentage deductible for wind and hail instead of a flat dollar amount. The percentage applies to your dwelling coverage, not to the size of the claim. Common choices are 1%, 2% and 5%.
Example: with $300,000 of dwelling coverage, a 2% wind deductible means you pay the first $6,000 of a wind claim. A 1% deductible lowers that to $3,000 but raises your premium. Pick a deductible you could comfortably pay the week after a storm. Learn more in hurricane and windstorm deductibles, explained.
8 ways to lower your windstorm premium
- Compare private carriers and TWIA every year. Prices for the same home can differ by thousands.
- Raise your wind deductible if you have savings to cover it.
- Keep your windstorm certificates for the home, roof and any additions. TWIA offers credits for homes built to newer codes.
- Replace an aging roof, ideally with impact-resistant shingles or metal.
- Protect openings with impact-rated windows, doors or storm shutters.
- Strengthen the roof-to-wall connection with hurricane straps or clips when reroofing.
- Add a secondary water barrier under new roofing to limit rain damage if shingles blow off.
- Ask about every discount, from claims-free history to bundling. Discounts vary by carrier, so an independent agent helps.
Do not wait for a storm in the Gulf
When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens the Texas coast, insurers, including TWIA, typically stop writing new wind policies and coverage increases until the threat passes. If you are buying a home, renewing or raising your limits, get coverage in place well before hurricane season, which runs June 1 through November 30. Flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so plan ahead for those too. Use our hurricane season checklist to get ready.
Filing a windstorm claim
After a storm, photograph all damage, make temporary repairs to prevent more damage, keep your receipts and report the claim as soon as you can. TWIA generally requires claims to be filed within one year of the date of damage, and private policies set their own deadlines. Our guide on what to do after hurricane damage covers each step.
How to get a Texas windstorm insurance quote
- Send us your address with the quote form or call (281) 715-7800.
- Share what you have: year built, square footage, roof type and age, any WPI-8 certificates and your current declarations page.
- We shop our private carriers first, and handle the TWIA application if it is the better fit.
- You compare the total cost side by side and choose. Many quotes come back the same day.
Why coastal homeowners choose Texas Windstorm Insurance
- Coastal specialists: wind, hail and flood on the Texas coast is all we focus on.
- More choices: 15 carriers, including TWIA, so you are not stuck with one company's price.
- Open 24/7: call (281) 715-7800 anytime, including the night before closing.
- Local and licensed: a Brazos Insurance Agency company based in Sugar Land, serving the whole Texas coast.
Texas Coastal Communities We Serve
Find windstorm insurance information for your city:
- Alvin Windstorm Insurance
- Angleton Windstorm Insurance
- Aransas Pass & Ingleside Windstorm Insurance
- Bay City Windstorm Insurance
- Baytown Windstorm Insurance
- Beaumont Windstorm Insurance
- Bolivar Peninsula Windstorm Insurance
- Brownsville Windstorm Insurance
- Corpus Christi Windstorm Insurance
- Dickinson Windstorm Insurance
- Freeport Windstorm Insurance
- Friendswood Windstorm Insurance
- Galveston Windstorm Insurance
- Harlingen Windstorm Insurance
- Kemah & Seabrook Windstorm Insurance
- Kingsville Windstorm Insurance
- La Marque Windstorm Insurance
- La Porte Windstorm Insurance
- Lake Jackson Windstorm Insurance
- League City Windstorm Insurance
- Manvel Windstorm Insurance
- Matagorda Windstorm Insurance
- Nederland, Port Neches & Groves Windstorm Insurance
- North Padre Island & Flour Bluff Windstorm Insurance
- Pearland Windstorm Insurance
- Port Aransas Windstorm Insurance
- Port Arthur Windstorm Insurance
- Port Lavaca Windstorm Insurance
- Port O'Connor Windstorm Insurance
- Portland Windstorm Insurance
- Rockport Windstorm Insurance
- San Benito Windstorm Insurance
- Sargent Windstorm Insurance
- South Padre Island Windstorm Insurance
- Surfside Beach Windstorm Insurance
- Sweeny Windstorm Insurance
- Texas City Windstorm Insurance
- West Columbia Windstorm Insurance
Ready to compare? Request a Texas windstorm quote and tell us where your coastal property is located.
Texas Windstorm Insurance FAQs
Texas windstorm insurance covers damage to your home and belongings caused by wind and hail, including hurricane-force winds. Along the coast, many homeowners policies exclude wind and hail, so coastal homeowners often buy a separate windstorm policy from a private insurer or from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
TWIA covers properties in the 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. You generally need a declination from at least one private insurer, a qualifying windstorm certificate of compliance, and a home in good repair. See TWIA coverage and eligibility for full details.
No. Windstorm insurance does not cover rising water from flooding or storm surge. You need a separate flood policy, and a National Flood Insurance Program policy usually has a 30-day waiting period. TWIA also requires proof of flood insurance for certain properties in V flood zones that were built, altered, remodeled, or enlarged on or after September 1, 2009.
A WPI-8 or WPI-8-E is a certificate of compliance issued by the Texas Department of Insurance showing that construction, such as a new home, addition, or roof replacement, meets the windstorm building code. TWIA issued WPI-8-C certificates for construction completed between January 2017 and May 2020. You can look up certificates through the TDI windstorm inspection program. Read our full WPI-8 certificate guide.
It depends on your policy. Many homeowners policies in coastal Texas counties exclude wind and hail, which leaves your roof, windows, and structure unprotected during a hurricane. Check your declarations page for a wind and hail exclusion, or send it to us and we will review it for you.
Your premium depends on your property's location, construction, roof age and type, coverage amount, and deductible. Many coastal policies use a percentage wind and hail deductible, such as 1% or 2% of your dwelling coverage. We compare private carriers and TWIA to find the best balance of price and protection for your home. See our full guide to how much windstorm insurance costs in Texas, or request a windstorm quote to see your options.
Yes, and you should. Windstorm coverage can be one of the biggest costs of owning a coastal home, so it is smart to get a quote while you are still deciding on a property or as soon as you are under contract. Ask the seller for the home's windstorm certificates (WPI-8, WPI-8-E, or WPI-8-C), especially if the home was built, added on to, or re-roofed since 1988. A missing certificate can limit your options, and it is much easier to solve before closing.
Often the same day. You can speed things up by sending the property address, year built, square footage, roof type and age, any windstorm certificate, and your current declarations page if you have one. Some quotes take longer, for example when a carrier needs an inspection or when TWIA needs a declination from a private insurer first. Start your windstorm quote.
Your lender will usually require proof of wind and hail coverage, such as a binder or declarations page, before closing. The first year's premium is typically paid at or before closing or set up through escrow. Insurers, including TWIA, can suspend new policies when a tropical storm or hurricane threatens the coast, so do not wait until closing week to bind coverage. If you also need flood insurance, a National Flood Insurance Program policy bought in connection with a new mortgage can usually start at closing without the normal 30-day wait.
Common reasons include approved rate increases, higher rebuilding costs that raise your dwelling coverage amount, higher reinsurance costs for coastal insurers, an aging roof, recent claims, or losing a discount. If a private carrier stops writing in your area, moving to another carrier or to TWIA can also change your price. We can review your renewal and compare it against other available options.
Coastal wind and hail deductibles are often a percentage of your dwelling coverage, such as 1%, 2%, or 5%. A higher deductible lowers your premium but means you pay more after a storm. On a $300,000 home, a 1% deductible is $3,000 and a 5% deductible is $15,000. Choose an amount you could comfortably pay from savings, and check whether your lender limits how high your deductible can be.
We shop multiple private carriers and compare them with TWIA to find the best price for your coverage. Other ways to lower your cost include adjusting your deductible, keeping your windstorm certificates current, and adding wind-resistant features like an impact-resistant roof, storm shutters, or reinforced garage doors, which some carriers reward with discounts. Combining your home and wind coverage with one carrier can also save money when it is available.
TWIA is the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, created by the Texas Legislature to provide wind and hail coverage in coastal areas when private insurers will not. To qualify, you generally need a declination from a private insurer. Private windstorm coverage may be sold as a separate policy or included in a full homeowners policy, and it can have different limits, deductibles, and discounts. We compare both so you can choose the best fit.
Yes. Wind and hail damage to your roof is one of the most common windstorm claims, along with broken windows and damage from wind-driven debris. Coverage for older roofs may be limited to actual cash value instead of replacement cost depending on the policy, so ask how your policy handles roof claims before you buy.
Not by state law. But if you have a mortgage on a home in the Texas coastal counties, your lender will almost always require proof of wind and hail coverage before closing. If your homeowners policy excludes wind, you will need a separate windstorm policy from a private carrier or TWIA.
Wind is most often excluded, and TWIA coverage is available, in the 14 first-tier coastal counties: Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Willacy, plus Harris County east of Highway 146.
Usually not. When a hurricane or tropical storm threatens the Texas coast, insurers, including TWIA, typically stop writing new wind policies and coverage increases until the threat passes. Buy or update your coverage well before a storm forms.
Yes. Windstorm policies cover hail damage to your home, other structures and belongings, along with wind damage from hurricanes, tropical storms and severe thunderstorms. Your wind and hail deductible applies.
TWIA generally requires claims to be filed within one year of the date the damage occurred. Private policies set their own deadlines. Report damage as soon as you can, take photos and keep receipts for temporary repairs.
Start your quote online or contact our office to find out how we can help you find a policy that fits your needs.