Texas Windstorm Insurance Association

Topic areas:

Accounting
Agent (general)
Agent Eligibility
Claims
Commissions
Coverage
Deductibles
Inspections
Limits of Coverage
Property Eligibility
Web System

Accounting Questions

Where can I find financial information on TWIA?
Public financial information is available on the News page, under the 'Public' section.

 

What do I do when the check I submitted with the application/renewal is returned NSF by my bank?
Call the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association's (TWIA's) accounting department as soon as you know about the NSF and let them know you are sending replacement money in the form of a cashiers check or money order. Send the replacement money marked "Personal and Confidential - Accounting Department" with a note attached specifying the policy number for application.

 

What do I do if the refund check I received is now 180 days old?
Return the check to the TWIA accounting department with a note attached telling us that the check is stale dated. We will void the check and reissue a new one.

 

I cannot find my 1099. What do I do?
Call the TWIA accounting manager to find out the amount of your 1099 and a replacement 1099 will be mailed to you.

 

My name was on the Unclaimed Property Report issued by the Comptroller and they reference TWIA. How do I get those unclaimed funds?
You can either call the TWIA accounting manager who will verify that the funds belong to you and a TWIA check will be mailed to you in the amount of the unclaimed property or you can request reimbursement from the Comptroller's Office.

 

Agent Questions

Who should I ask when I have questions?
Look here, on this Web site, first. Many commonly-asked questions, forms, and instructions are here on this site (see the Downloads page for instruction manuals and forms). If you still have questions, contact your assigned TWIA underwriter. See the Contact page to determine your assigned underwriter.

How does an agent get started with Texas Windstorm Insurance Association?
Choose this link: Agent Eligibility.

 

How are changes to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association agent database information made?
To change information on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association database the agent/agency must submit a request in writing preferably on their letterhead paper and signed by the agent or an officer of the agency. It is helpful if the agent/agency license number is provided. Please send to P.O. Box address below.

Note: Name and address changes must also be made to the agent/agency license on file with the Texas Department of Insurance. Depending on the change, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association may request a current copy of the agent/agency license and a new W9 form.

 

Why were applications/correspondence returned without being processed?
The most common reasons for applications/correspondence being returned without being processed are:

1. Application submitted without a photograph or a renewal number.
2. Application submitted without a check for the full net premium.
3. Check is submitted without an application.
4. Correspondence is submitted without a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policy number.
5. Check is not signed or is incomplete or is not made payable to TWIA.
6. Several applications/correspondence were received with one check (separate checks must be submitted for each application/correspondence).
7. Request is not submitted by agent of record.

 

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Building Code Compliance and Inspection Questions

What is a WPI-8 and why do I need one?

A WPI-8 is a building code certificate of compliance that is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance. It certifies that a structure has been erected, altered and/or repaired in accordance with building construction requirements for windstorm coverage in the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), as outlined in Section 6A, Article 21.49 of the Texas Insurance Code. When a policyholder receives the WPI-8 certificate, they should send it to their agent or to TWIA to verify that their home or business has been built or repaired properly and is therefore "insurable" with TWIA.

For example, if a policyholder has a loss on a roof and TWIA pays to replace the roof, the policyholder is required to contact theTexas Department of Insurance (TDI) and make certain they inspect and certify the roof as it is being replaced. (See "How do I obtain a WPI-8?" below). This is just one example of the need for a WPI-8. On commercial buildings, you may be required to have a registered engineer make the inspection to certify the repairs.Additional information may be obtained from TDI at 1-800-248-6032 in Austin or by selecting TDI's Inpection Procedure link.

 

How do I obtain a WPI-8?

Contact a Texas Department of Insurance Windstorm Inspection Field Office (by selecting this link).

or contact:

Texas Department of Insurance
Windstorm Inspection Department
Mail Code 103-1E333 Guadalupe
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas 78714-9104
(800) 248-6032
(512) 322-2203

 

How can I obtain a list of independent engineers who have been appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance to perform Windstorm Inspections?

A complete list of Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) approved engineers can be obtained:

1. On the Internet: Click here for listing of independent engineers.

2. By contacting:

Texas Department of Insurance
Windstorm Inspection Department
Mail Code 103-1E333 Guadalupe
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas 78714-9104
(800) 248-6032
(512) 322-2203

 

Coverage Questions

Who should I call if I have questions about my coverage?
First, check this Web site. You may find the answers you need here. If not, policyholders should contact their agents first. Most of the time, agents can answer your questions. Agents administer your policy, and it is their job to find answers for you. We often refer policyholders back to agents, because those are the best people to ask in most situations. Agents should contact their assigned TWIA underwriter.

 

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Claims Questions

Why was depreciation withheld from my claim when my dwelling policy says I have replacement cost coverage?

You do have replacement cost coverage for your dwelling if you carry 80% of the amount of its replacement cost (i.e. $100,000 r.c. value X 80% = $80,000). On page six of the Dwelling Policy it states that we will pay only the actual cash value claim (or the depreciated claim amount) until the repairs or replacement is made and all policy conditions are complied with. In other words, we deduct the depreciation from your replacement cost claim and hold that money in reserve until you document the work has been done and the money allowed has been spent.

 

Why is my mortgagee's name on the check?

On page eight under the "Mortgagee Clause" it states that we will pay the mortgagee shown in the Declarations of the policy as interests appear. In other words, the mortgagee has a financial interest in your dwelling and is entitled to be included as a payee on your dwelling claim.

 

Agent Commission

• Standard Windstorm Policies
  (Commercial and Residential)
  
  

• Mobile Home Policies
  
  

• Excess (Per Risk Reinsurance) Policies

16% of the gross premium for the statutory limit amount, and
5% of the gross premium for the excess amount over the statutory limit

The agent's commission should be subtracted from the gross premium before submitting payment to TWIA.

Products

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Property Eligibility

Territory

TWIA's territory includes the following fourteen (14) counties along the Texas gulf coast and parts of Harris county:

• Residential

Dwellings, personal property, manufactured (mobile) homes.

• Commerical

Commercial buildings, business personal property, townhouses and condominiums.

• Miscellaneous Items

For example, signs, fences, swimming pools, flag poles.

For additional details, click p. 48 - Building Code Compliance Information from TWIA Instructions and Guidelines Manual and click the Insurable Property Section of TWIA's Plan of Operation located on TDI's site under the Texas Administrative Code (Title 28, Part I, Chapter 5, Subchapter E, Division I, Rule 5.4001, Item Number (1) The Policy (B) Insurable Property).

 

Deductibles

Residential

Insured Item:

Dwelling or
Farm and Ranch Dwelling

1% but not less than $100
(standard deductible)

Applies to dwelling, its personal property, and dwelling outbuildings on a per item basis. For full details, see TWIA Instructions and Guidelines Manual, (Rating) pp. 41-44.

Mobile Home

1% and
$250
minimum

For property located:
1- Inland of the intracoastal waterway
or
2- Seaward of the intracoastal waterway and protected by an approved seawall.

For property located seaward of the intracoastal waterway and not protected by an approved seawall.

Commercial

Insured Item:

All commercial,
including
Farm and Ranch Barns,
Miscellaneous Farm Property, Apartments, Townhouses, Condos

 

Available deductibles:

For full details, see TWIA Instructions and Guidelines Manual pp. 21-22 and 24-25.

 

Limits

Description

Residential

Dwelling Building and Contents

Dwellings, including individually owned townhouse units and associated corporeal moveable property.

 

Apartment, Condo, Townhouse
Contents Only

Individually owned corporeal moveable property located in an apartment unit, residential condominium unit, or townhouse unit that is occupied by the owner of that property.

 

Mobile Home
Building and Contents

 

Commercial

Commercial
Building and Contents

Commercial structure other than a dwelling or public building and the corporeal moveable property located in that structure.

 

Governmental
Building and Contents

Governmental buildings and corporeal moveable property located in that structure.

 

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