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If you live near the Gulf Coast or in an area of Texas with frequent high winds and hail, you’ve likely at least heard of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). According to its website, the organization “is a not-for-profit insurance company, offering windstorm and hail insurance to home and commercial property owners who cannot get this coverage in the regular market due to the risk of catastrophic hurricanes.”
TWIA was created by the Texas Legislature and operates under Chapter 2210 of the Texas Insurance Code, which means its claim rules and deadlines differ from those of a private carrier. A last resort for property owners seeking coverage for high-risk properties, a TWIA policy is a lifeline for many—however, it comes with its own nuanced set of requirements and pitfalls.
TWIA exclusively provides wind and hail coverage to applicants unable to obtain insurance from private insurers. As directed by Texas Insurance Code, “The primary purpose of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is the provision of an adequate market for windstorm and hail insurance in the seacoast territory of this state,” in service of “the economic welfare” and “orderly growth and development” of Texas (Tex. Ins. Code § 2210.001).
A TWIA policy covers wind and hail only. No other perils are covered: not flood, not fire, not theft. TWIA policies also carry a separate windstorm or named-storm deductible that is frequently a percentage of your dwelling or building limit rather than a flat dollar amount. Check the Declarations page of your policy so you know what that number is before a storm, not after.
To obtain coverage through TWIA, a property must meet certain requirements established by the Texas Legislature, including the following:
Eligibility rules change. Confirm current requirements with your agent or at twia.org.
You cannot buy a TWIA policy directly from TWIA. Applications must be submitted by a Texas-licensed insurance agent who is registered with TWIA, so start by contacting your agent. If you don't have one, TDI's HelpInsure.com can help you find one. TWIA does not endorse particular agents or agencies—and neither do we.
If you’ve applied for a property insurance policy and been denied coverage, or were notified by your carrier of a nonrenewal, you may be eligible for hail and windstorm insurance through TWIA, provided the property also meets the other eligibility requirements above.
Especially during hurricane season, this coverage is crucial. Please note that TWIA does not cover flood damage. For that, you will need a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The TWIA claim process begins when you notify the organization of your claim. Report your claim promptly and give TWIA complete, accurate information: your policy requires you to cooperate with the investigation. Describe what you observe rather than guessing at the cause or the dollar extent of the damage.
Anything you say to TWIA becomes part of your claim file. Describe what you can see, and let the inspection and estimate establish the cause and cost of the damage. Get more tips on communicating with your carrier >>
There are several key deadlines to keep in mind once you begin the TWIA claim process.
These are the deadlines as TWIA currently publishes them; TWIA or the Texas Department of Insurance can extend claim-handling deadlines after a major storm, so always confirm current dates on your notice letter and at twia.org.
These timelines are intended to accommodate long recovery periods following catastrophic storms, during which some policyholders may not even be able to return to their properties for weeks or months to evaluate the damage and be able to submit a claim.
The deadlines for TWIA to evaluate and issue a decision are intended to safeguard policyholders from being delayed in repairing their property while waiting for a coverage decision.
However, when a major hurricane hits and any insurer is flooded with claims, individual files can get buried, claims can be handled hastily, and estimates can come in low.
Although it is a not-for-profit entity, TWIA is not above criticism. Recently highlighted in the Insurance Journal, three Texas homeowners filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against TWIA in August 2026, alleging that TWIA fraudulently reduced claim estimates after Hurricane Beryl. The plaintiffs in the case are seeking a class action suit under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Merlin Law Group also uncovered evidence that TWIA instructed field adjusters not to consider lifted shingles covered damage, despite roofing industry best practices stating otherwise. Instead, the organization claimed that lifted shingles still accomplish their intended purpose of repelling water, and are not damaged. That matters beyond the current claim. If a lifted shingle is left unrepaired because it was deemed not covered, and water intrusion later damages the roof, an insurer may argue that the later damage stems from wear and tear or lack of maintenance. That's why it's worth documenting lifted shingles and disputing the determination early, rather than letting it stand.
Clearly, TWIA claims are not without pitfalls.
A Public Adjuster is a licensed insurance expert who can help document your damage properly, help you track and meet claim deadlines, and work toward a fair settlement under your policy.
If you've already filed a claim with TWIA and are unhappy with the outcome, a Public Adjuster can help you prepare and present a dispute or supplemental claim, or, where appropriate, help evaluate whether to invoke appraisal.
For the actual cash value portion of a claim, TWIA currently states that the deadline to request appraisal is 60 days from the date you receive your notice letter. If you have replacement cost coverage, you will have additional time, and that timeline will be stated in your notice letter. A 30-day extension may be available for good cause, but it must be requested in writing. Don't count on it: treat the 60 days as the deadline.
Appraisal is a formal process to settle disputes about the amount TWIA will pay for your claim. Appraisal does not appeal decisions of non-coverage. TWIA appraisal also differs from a standard policy in one important way: if the two appraisers can't agree on an umpire, the umpire comes from a list approved by the Texas Department of Insurance rather than being appointed by a court. Learn more about the appraisal process >>
Some hurricane claims may also involve concurrent causation from high winds and flood water. Because TWIA covers wind but not flood, and because Texas generally requires the policyholder to separate damage caused by a covered peril from damage caused by an excluded one, a Public Adjuster can be invaluable in documenting which damage was caused by wind.
When dealing with TWIA claims, don’t go it alone. You may think that you have no choice but to accept whatever settlement amount or claim decision TWIA offers. But a Public Adjuster can help you navigate the system and push back to receive what you’re rightfully owed as an insured policyholder.
Contact Tiger Adjusters for help with your TWIA claim.
