General Guidelines (apply to all applications)

Below are conditions that must be met for a TWIA application to be issued. These are not inclusive; please contact TWIA Underwriting if you have a question regarding a specific policy or scenario.

• Replacement Cost Estimator. Where required, a replacement cost estimator must be submitted with:
  • All new business applications
  • Renewal applications where:
    • Coverage amount is changing
• Information within the replacement cost estimator must match the application.
• The replacement cost must be calculated through our MSB account.
• The amount of insurance must comply with the coinsurance requirement
• For premium financed policies, a finance agreement or TWIA 151-A must be completed.
• There must be a clearly defined structure occupancy status.
• Valid agency status.
• Required Certificates of Compliance (WPI-8, WPI-8-E, or WPI-8-C)
  • Applicant must qualify for coverage through eligibility program (e.g. WPI-8 Waiver Program)
  • WPI-8 or WPI-8-E must be on file with TDI; WPI-8-C must be on file with TWIA; or other eligibility program was requested
  • Location address on Certificate of Compliance must match location address on application
• Supporting documentation must be submitted for commercial superior construction requests.
• Policyholders must have no outstanding balances on expiring or expired policies.

Commercial Guidelines (in addition to General Guidelines)

Commercial Application

• Complete information regarding Business Interruption (e.g. Daily Limit)
• Multiple items being insured must be accompanied with a clear labeled diagram
• Miscellaneous items will require a photograph of the item being insured

Builder’s Risk Application

• Photograph of site must be submitted with application
• Supporting documentation must be submitted for Fire Resistive (FR) or Semi-Fire Resistive (SFR) construction requests

Manufactured Home Guidelines (in addition to General Guidelines)

• Required tie down inspection form (MH-96 or Form T) must be submitted

Applications Not Issued

Below are possible reasons an application would not be issued. These reasons are not inclusive; please contact TWIA Underwriting if you have a question regarding a specific policy or scenario.

General Guidelines (apply to all applications)

• Uninsurable property
  • E.g. TWIA paid claim and application received without evidence of new Certificate of Compliance (WPI-8, WPI-8-E, or WPI-8-C) or evidence of repair for structures not requiring certificate(s) of compliance.
  • E.g. Uninsurable physical condition
• Risk location:
  • In the Coastal Barrier Zone (COBRA) and built after expiration of grandfathered date
  • Outside of TWIA Coverage area
• Prior TWIA Policy Cancellation:
  • Cancelled due to missing information and new application submitted without requested information
  • Policy subject to the 180-day or 90-day Minimum Earned Premium and outstanding balance not paid or submitted with new application
• TWIA receipt of non-sufficient funds check while application is under underwriting review

Manufactured Home Guidelines (in addition to General Guidelines)

• New business application submitted without tie down inspection form (MH-96 or Form T)
• Manufactured home manufactured on or after September 1, 1997 must be designated as Zone II on the tie down inspection form (MH-96 or Form T)
  • NOTE: This is not applicable for manufactured homes located within Harris County; Harris County is designated as Zone I.
• Coverage requested for a travel trailer (not insurable through TWIA)