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Recovering from wind or hail damage to your TWIA-insured property can feel overwhelming.
TWIA is here to help.  Here’s what to expect next.

After Beryl, we know policyholders want their claims handled as swiftly as possible. This guide provides an approximate timeline for claims reported after a hurricane. Hurricane Claims Timeline

Hurricane Beryl Policyholder Webinars
July 19, 2024
August 5, 2024

Take an Active Role in the Process 

  • Your participation in the process directly impacts the speed and outcome of your claim.
  • Submit all documentation TWIA requires as soon as possible.
  • Respond promptly to questions from your claims team.
  • Keep all receipts and paperwork related to your claim.
  • Ensure your contact and mortgage information TWIA has for you is correct.
  • Have a dispute on TWIA’s claims decision? Don’t delay your action – start the process of disputing the decision as soon as possible.
  • Policyholders with an Actual Cash Value policy have 60 days to dispute a claims decision.

Click here for a printable worksheet for the TWIA claims process

Review Your Policies

  • Know your deductible – TWIA cannot issue a claim payment until the deductible is met. There are two deductibles: one for structure/dwelling/building and one for personal property losses.
  • Know your endorsements – these affect any TWIA claim payment.
  • DAMAGE CAUSED BY FLOODING IS NOT COVERED UNDER A TWIA POLICY.

TWIA policyholders can check the status of their claim, contact the claims team, upload documents, and review their policy through the Policyholder Portal.

Why Your Claim Payment May Not Be What You Expect

At TWIA, we aim to pay you, the policyholder, everything you are owed under the terms of your policy when you have a claim. Several factors affect how we pay claims. These include the type of policy form you purchased, the amount of insurance provided by the policy, the damaged property’s depreciation, and the policy’s deductible amount. Other factors like endorsements for additional living expenses (ALE), increased cost of construction for code-related costs (ICC) can also impact claims payments. These and other issues will be detailed in the acceptance letter TWIA sends to you. Learn more about factors impacting the claims payment here.

Make Temporary Repairs

  • Make temporary repairs to protect your property from further damage and save receipts.
  • Do not begin permanent repairs until you discuss your claim with a TWIA claims examiner.
  • TWIA must see the damage first to determine if it is from wind or hail.

Prepare for the Damage Inspection

  • TWIA may assign your claim to a field adjuster who will schedule an inspection of your damaged property. Not all claims require an in-person inspection.

What is a field adjuster? 

  • Field adjusters inspect your property, document damages, and prepare reports and repair estimates for TWIA.
  • After a large claim event, TWIA contracts with independent adjusters to handle claims in a timely manner.
  • These independent adjusters NEVER make decisions about your claim’s outcome.

Gather Repair Estimates

  • Find qualified contractors to repair or rebuild your property.
  • Contractor estimates must show line-item material costs and labor – TWIA cannot accept lump-sum estimates.
  • TWIA will compare estimates and may issue supplemental payments. 
  • Contractors must separately estimate upgrades or updates.
  • Inventory your damaged or destroyed personal property and submit that documentation to TWIA as soon as possible.

Watch Out for Fraud! 

  • Stay alert to the potential for fraud during the recovery process.
  • Beware of unsolicited contractors looking to prey on storm victims.
  • Don’t feel pressured into signing a contract right away.
  • Do not pay in full for repairs up-front.
  • Get everything related to your repairs in writing.

Roadblocks/Potholes and How to Avoid Them 

Potential WPI-8 Certification Delays

  • To obtain or continue windstorm and hail coverage through TWIA, the property must meet certain requirements established by the Texas Legislature. The Texas Insurance Code requires your property to be certified as meeting windstorm building code requirements in your area. This Windstorm Certificate of Compliance (referred to as a WPI-8) must be provided to TWIA before the property can be eligible for TWIA coverage. As of June 1, 2020, all Certificates of Compliance are issued by the Texas Department of Insurance as part of its Windstorm Inspection Program. Know the requirements beforehand and work with your contractor to avoid delays. Learn more about this process here.

Proof of Deductible

  • You must keep an accurate record of repair or replacement expenses and proof that you paid the deductible applicable to your claim.
  • Texas law states that insurance companies may require proof that you paid your deductible. Policyholders must submit proof that they paid the deductible before any withheld recoverable depreciation is paid. Proof of payment can be in the form of a canceled check, money order receipt, credit card statement, or a copy of an executed installment plan contract or other financing arrangement that requires full payment of the deductible over time. Learn more about deductibles and repairs here.

Recovering Depreciated Costs

  • Recoverable depreciation is the difference between a property’s replacement cost value (i.e. the cost to replace it with a similar new product) and its actual cash value (i.e. the replacement cost value minus depreciation). For policies with replacement cost coverage, TWIA claims are paid in at least two parts: first the actual cash value and then the recoverable depreciation after repairs or replacement are completed or incurred, if greater than the depreciated costs less the deductible. Learn more here.

If Your Mortgagee is Listed on the Claims Payment Check

  • Because both you and the mortgage company have an interest in the property on the policy, claim payment checks may be written to both parties.
  • Contact your mortgage company to find out how to endorse and process your claim payment check, as different mortgage companies have varying procedures.

What if the wrong mortgage company is on the check?

  • If your loan is no longer with the mortgage company listed on the check, the wrong mortgage company is on your policy. Your policy must be updated before a new check can be issued.
  • To update your policy to include the correct mortgage company, and to stop payment on the check with the incorrect mortgagee on it:
    • To change the mortgage company name on your policy, contact your agent and have them process a mortgagee change request.
    • To stop payment on the check, email current/correct mortgage company information/documentation to stoppay@twia.org, or contact the TWIA claims team through the policyholder portal. Learn more here.

FAQs

TWIA Recovery Resource Links

Downloadable TWIA Resources

External Recovery Resource Links 

Get Windstorm Insurance make a payment report a claim

Other Claims Topics

Temporary and Permanent RepairsProtect Yourself from FraudHow TWIA Estimates Repair CostsFactors that Affect the Claim Payment AmountWhy is the mortgagee’s name on the check?
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