Texas Windstorm
Insurance Association conducts educational workshops for agents every year
at various locations along the Texas gulf coast. These workshops are usually
conducted in the months of April, May and June. The workshop is approved
for three (4) hours of continuing education through the Texas Department
of Insurance.
For
information about writing homeowners coverage through the Texas FAIR
Plan Insurance Association (TFPA), check the TFPA
Web site.
T.W.I.A.
continues to operate under its present charter, providing wind and hail
coverage to the catastrophe designated area of Texas (present
territory served).
The
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) was established by legislative
mandate to provide wind and hail insurance for Texas gulf coast property
owners in the event of catastrophic loss. Our company's purpose is
to provide "basic" coverage unavailable in traditional markets
for consumers who might otherwise be left uninsured.
Mission
Statement
The
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is the state's insurer
of last resort for wind and hail coverage in the fourteen (14) coastal
counties and parts of Harris County (east of Highway 146). TWIA provides
wind and hail coverage when insurance companies exclude it from their
homeowners and other property policies sold to coastal residents.
TWIA employees are committed to promote hurricane safety and education,
together with the development and enforcement of coastal building
codes, in an effort to save lives and property. We strive to achieve
the highest standards of personal and business ethics and, in a positive
working environment, are dedicated to providing efficient, friendly
and effective customer service.
History
The
Association was established in 1971. When hurricane Celia struck the
Texas coast on August 3, 1970, many insurance companies ceased to
write business in this region. To protect consumers, the state stepped
in and created the Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Association
(now called the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association).
Comparison
to Other Insurance Carriers
TWIA
is similar to other insurance carriers. We have a written contract
that specifies the extent and restrictions of insurance coverage provided.
We collect premium and pay claims. Our policies are distributed to
policyholders owning property in fourteen (14)
first tier counties (and parts of Harris county) along the Texas gulf
coast through insurance agents, brokers and direct writers. We
have underwriting, claims and accounting departments to provide associated
services to these agents.
However,
TWIA also differs from other insurance carriers. TWIA does not have
agents contracted to sell policies for them. By state statute, agents
properly licensed through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
represent the insured (not TWIA) in the insurance buying transaction
for coverage placed with TWIA. This also means agents have no binding
authority on behalf of TWIA and only TWIA employees can bind coverage
on behalf of the Association. Another way TWIA differs from other
carriers is that we are not a "profit" motivated insurance
company. We do not try to expand our customer base or compete with
other insurance carriers providing similar products. It is very likely
that we will not have the most extensive coverage or the lowest price.
Traditional insurance companies must assess risk differently than
we do. They may withdraw from a "high risk" areas after
catastrophic losses occur. Generally, when estimated risk is low,
traditional markets provide windstorm coverage for this territory.
When risk is higher and traditional markets withdraw, TWIA absorb
policies no longer written by other carriers. In this way, we operate
as a "high risk" pool with participating member companies.
Member
Companies
By state
legislative mandate, all companies licensed to write property insurance
in Texas are required to be a member of the Texas Windstorm Insurance
Association. Their percentage of participation is based on their company's
statewide sales vs. sales within TWIA's territory.
Board
of Directors
TWIA
is governed by a nine (9) member board of directors comprised of five
(5) insurance company representatives, two (2) agent representatives
and two (2) consumer representatives. The board meets on a quarterly
basis.
TWIA
and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
While
TWIA is the insurance mechanism by which Texas coastal residents may
secure windstorm and hail coverage, TDI is the means by which enforcement
of building codes and standards are met for the property being insured.
Additions and alterations to existing property as well as all new
construction must secure state certification of applicable building
codes to be eligible for windstorm and hail coverage through TWIA.
For additional information about the certification process, see Agent
Eligibility.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
Board meeting, Four Seasons, Austin 10:30
January 30
Meeting Committee to Research the
Assessment Formula, Sheraton, Austin 10:00-3:00
March 4
Meeting Committee to Research the
Assessment Formula, Sheraton, Austin 10:00-3:00
March 10
Texas FAIR Plan Governing Committee
meeting, Four Seasons, Austin 3:30-9:00
March 11
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
Board meeting, Four Seasons, Austin 8:30 - 12:00
June 30
Texas FAIR Plan Governing Committee meeting,
Moody Gardens, Galveston 3:30-9:00
July 1
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board meeting,
Moody Gardens, Galveston 8:30-12:00
September 8
Texas FAIR Plan Governing Committee meeting,
Hilton Airport, Austin 3:30-9:00
September 9
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board meeting,
Hilton Airport, Austin 8:30-12:00
December 8
Texas FAIR Plan Governing Committee meeting,
Marriott South Airport, Austin 3:30-9:00
December 9
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Board meeting,
Marriott South Airport, Austin 8:30-12:00
Web Site News
TWIA Web
Quote System
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association encourages quoting and application submission
using our online TWIA E-Quote system. This assures agents will have the latest
TWIA rates, and means that applications are less likely to be returned due to
incorrect premium calculations. It also speeds internal processing of the applications,
resulting in faster policy issuance. This is part of TWIA's Internet technology plan,
and part of our "Efficient, Friendly &
Effective Customer Service" mission statement. We plan
to expand the capabilities of the system over the coming years to accept
online payments, and other functions.
Adjuster News
Adjuster News
SCHEDULE OF CLAIMS MEETINGS FOR 2008
Dedicated
Adjuster Program (Invitation Only)
Date: April 23, 24, & 25, 2008
Location: Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, Woodlands, TX 77380
This year we will have a mini-meeting with only two Principals of each of the DAP
adjusting firms and TWIA staff in attendance. The Principals of each firm needs to have their roster and completed ID forms submitted to TWIA no later than February 11, 2008.
Principals: Please review instructions
regarding your rosters and ID forms outlined in the letter to you dated December 3, 2007.
Upon our receipt of your roster, will review and approve or reject your recommended adjusters. We will then mail a letter to those approved with words of appreciation and thank each adjuster
for making a commitment to be a TWIA Dedicated Adjuster. An e-mail invitation to attend the DAP Meeting will be sent to each principal well ahead of the meeting and provide more details at
that time.
Invitations will be mailed to last year’s attendees and to persons
added to the roster in 2007. Please make sure we have your current contact information including phone numbers and e-mail address. Once you have received your invitation, you must
contact Susan Schiller to register by e-mail at sschiller@twia.org.
If you feel you are qualified and would like to be considered for
the future, please contact Bill Knarr at bknarr@twia.org or by telephone at 512-637-2902 or fax at 512-899-4953. Please include a current resume either by fax or e-mail.
To be considered, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Computer skills. Applications include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Adobe Acrobat.
Current Adjuster—Property and Casualty license through the Texas Department of Insurance or a reciprocal state
Extensive experience in handling and supervising property claims (in the field and in the office), commercial and residential. Experience handling windstorm and hail losses
Available to work when called soon after a catastrophe event
Available to work in Austin or a remote site in Texas
The completed Registration form along with the pre-registration fee of $25.00 must be received BEFORE April 15, 2008. Any registrations received ON OR AFTER April 15, 2008 need to include a $50.00 registration fee.
These workshops are handled on a first come basis. The workshops fill up fast; if you want to attend please get your completed registration forms in quickly.
