Temporary and Permanent Repairs

Before any repair work begins, walk around your property and take photos of the damage. Sometimes you may find something that you weren’t aware of before, and it helps us process your claim more quickly if we see your documentation. It also helps to take a personal property inventory — write down what you have and what is damaged. You can download a form to use here.

Keep any damaged property until the field adjuster sees it and approves of disposal. Do NOT repair, replace, or dispose of any damaged items before first discussing it with a claims examiner.

Temporary Repairs

Keep invoices and receipts for your temporary repairs. If your loss is covered by the policy, reasonable costs for temporary repairs may be covered.

Temporary repairs include:

  • Covering openings with tarp or plastic to prevent additional water damage
  • Removing trees from a structure covered by the TWIA policy
  • Boarding up windows and doors
  • Drying out water damage and wet areas immediately with fans, if possible
  • Interior water removal
  • Removal of soiled carpet and sheetrock
  • Roof tarping
  • Restoration of utility services

Do not make permanent repairs, such as a roof replacement or asphalt patches, until the adjuster has made an inspection. The adjuster needs to be able to see the damage and determine if it is from wind or hail.

Permanent Repairs

Whether or not you ultimately have a covered claim, you may need to make permanent structural repairs to your property. To be eligible for insurance through TWIA, many structural repairs must be certified by a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) appointed qualified inspector or by a Texas licensed professional engineer.

Certificates of Compliance (WPI-8, WPI-8-E, or WPI-8-C) certify compliance with the applicable windstorm building code for the area. Without a Certificate of Compliance, TWIA lacks evidence that the structure conforms to the applicable building code, and the structure may be considered ineligible for coverage with TWIA. The WPI-8 certification inspections are done before and during the repair process, if completed by a TDI inspector. Learn more about Certificates of Compliance.

Property Changes/Upgrades to Reflect Personal Preferences

TWIA policies only cover what was in place at the time of loss. TWIA cannot cover changes or upgrades that reflect a personal preference. For example, if you wish to replace your asphalt shingle roof with a metal one, TWIA can only pay to repair or replace an asphalt shingle roof.

Property Changes/Upgrades to Reflect Code Requirements

Building code changes that require an upgrade to the method of repair or type of material used are treated differently than property changes or upgrades that reflect a personal preference. TWIA cannot cover any building upgrade costs unless both of the following are true:

  • The local codes or ordinances require the upgrade to meet local requirements, AND
  • You purchased with your policy an Increased Cost of Construction (ICC) endorsement. Endorsements TWIA-431 (residential) and TWIA-432 (commercial) cover the increased costs associated with required code upgrades.

To learn more, please visit our Increased Cost of Construction (ICC) Coverage webpage.

For More Information

Please contact your insurance agent if you have any questions about your policy and the coverages it provides. If you have a TWIA claim you would like to discuss, contact us through Claims Center or the Policyholder Portal or by calling (800) 788-8247.

Recommended Guides

Protect Yourself from Fraud
How TWIA Estimates Repair Costs
Factors That Impact the Claim Payment Amount
Why is my mortgage company on my check?
What if TWIA's claim payment isn't enough?
Increased Cost of Construction (ICC) Coverage
Additional Living Expenses (ALE) Coverage
Windstorm Certificates of Compliance (WPI-8, WPI-8-E, WPI-8-C)
Rights and Responsibilities After a Loss