Information for Policyholders Included in the Program
If you’ve received a letter from TWIA about your property being included in the Slab Claim Evaluation Program, this page will help you understand what that means, why your property was included, and how the process works.
What Is the Slab Claim Evaluation Program ?
When a TWIA-insured residential property is destroyed by the combination of wind and wave action – leaving nothing more than the foundation elements such as pilings, floor framing members, or concrete slab – the claim, referred to as a slab claim, will be adjusted using a special evaluation process called the Slab Claim Evaluation Program.
This program uses advanced data and technology to determine how much damage was caused by wind (which TWIA insures) before the water surge or flood (which TWIA does not insure) destroyed the residential structure.
How TWIA’s Process Is Different
TWIA uses available technology to approximate the damage caused by wind in order to pay for that covered damage. TWIA must follow a distinct process required by Texas law.
TWIA evaluates slab claims using rules:
• Established by legislation passed in 2011
• Defined further by the Texas Commissioner of Insurance in 2018
These rules are designed to ensure consistent, lawful, and fair evaluations for all policyholders.
Why Was My Property Included?
Your property has been included in the Slab Claim Evaluation Program because:
• It is located in a designated flood-prone area: NFIP zones V, VE, or V1–V30
• It is currently insured by TWIA
Inclusion in the program is not optional – TWIA is legally required to apply this process when applicable.
How the Program Works
TWIA gathers and updates specific data about properties in flood-prone areas each year. This includes:
• Property characteristics (size, elevation, construction)
• Aerial imagery
• Storm surge, wave height, wind measurements and time the property was destroyed.
Once the program is activated, TWIA uses the collected data to evaluate individual slab claims. This will lead to:
• Faster claim resolution
• More accurate assessments
What Can I Do Before a Storm?
Document your residential structure and belongings with photos or video to create a home inventory. If you need to report a claim, having this inventory will help expedite that process and help ensure an accurate claim payment for your covered belongings. Download and fill out an inventory form.
What Can I Expect After a Storm if I Have a Slab Claim?
If you have a slab claim, TWIA will not send an adjuster to inspect the structure and create a detailed line-by-line estimate for repairs, based on the actual labor and materials needed to fix each part of the residential structure. Instead, TWIA will work with you to resolve the claim based on the economic loss to your structure (the diminished value to the building caused by the covered peril of wind as predicted by wind/storm surge modeling). You should submit your claim as soon as possible and you MUST submit it within one year from the date of the loss.
If TWIA identifies your claim as a slab claim, you will receive a letter from us within approximately 2 weeks of your reporting your loss, and no later than 30 days, informing you that your claim will be handled through the Slab Claim Evaluation Program. A claims examiner who is a slab claim specialist will contact you with next steps. We will send you a copy of the information we have for your insured property, and ask for any changes or additional information you may have, including:
- Wind speed, direction, and timing and height of storm surge at the site of the structure for the duration of the applicable storm
- Damage to the structure during the applicable storm
- New information on the characteristics of the property (included in the sample information request for linked below)
How Soon Can I Expect my Claim to be Processed?
TWIA will process your slab claim and notify you of the results of our evaluation within 60 days of receiving your claim, or within 60 days of receiving your additional information, whichever is later.
File your claim promptly. TWIA may begin making initial slab claim evaluations and payments as soon as 48 hours after landfall.
TWIA will evaluate each claim a second time based on site-specific data once received.
What if you Disagree with TWIA’s Evaluation?
If you disagree with our evaluation, we invite you to send us any information you believe will help us further evaluate your claim.
Technology Behind the Process
TWIA’s Slab Claim Program was developed by a panel of experts assembled by the commissioner of insurance, leveraging their expertise in wind and storm surge science, and disaster experience and research.
Does Participation in the Slab Claim Evaluation Program Cost Extra?
No. There is no additional cost to you as a policyholder for being included in the Slab Claim Evaluation Program or for the evaluation of your claim under this process.
Questions?
If you have questions about your letter or want to speak with someone about your inclusion in the Slab Claim Evaluation Program, please email TWIA at slabclaims@twia.org. Someone will follow up shortly to respond to your inquiry.
We’re here to help before, during, and after the storm.
