Texas-Specific · Insurance Term
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
Definition
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is the state-created insurer of last resort for wind and hail damage along the Texas coast. It covers properties in 14 coastal counties and parts of eastern Harris County, usually after a private insurer has declined the wind risk.
In Plain English
TWIA writes only wind and hail coverage. Owners in the Texas Catastrophe Area commonly combine a private property policy that has a windstorm exclusion with a TWIA policy for wind and hail. Flood requires a separate policy.
Commercial buildings generally need a windstorm certificate of compliance for any construction or work done on or after January 1, 1988. Applicants generally must first be declined by a private insurer.
TWIA has maximum limits, which can be lower than the value of larger commercial buildings. Owners then often add excess wind coverage from the private market. TWIA claims follow their own rules and deadlines under Insurance Code Chapter 2210.
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Example
Hypothetical: a 40-unit apartment complex in Brazoria County has a private policy that excludes wind. The owner buys a TWIA policy for wind and hail, with a WPI-8 certificate on file, and adds excess wind coverage above TWIA's limit.
Why It Matters for Texas Property Owners
TWIA exists only in Texas. It applies in Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Willacy counties, plus areas of Harris County east of Highway 146 in La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres.
What to Watch For
- Confirm your property is inside TWIA's service area.
- Locate windstorm certificates for the building and any later repairs, including roofs.
- Compare TWIA's maximum limit with your building's replacement cost.
- Remember TWIA does not cover flood, and Chapter 542A notice does not apply to TWIA claims.
Common Questions
Do I have to buy TWIA if my property is on the coast?
No. TWIA is a last-resort option. If a private insurer offers wind coverage on acceptable terms, you can use it instead, and some lenders accept either.
Can TWIA cover a building without a windstorm certificate?
For commercial buildings, generally not. The no-certificate surcharge path is for residential properties, so commercial owners usually need a WPI-8 certificate for work done since 1988.
Sources
Last updated October 14, 2026 · Primesure editorial team · How We Write