Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA): Who Needs It and What It Covers
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association covers wind and hail only, for property in designated coastal areas. If your homeowners insurer excludes wind there, TWIA is the program that usually fills the gap.
Where TWIA operates
According to the Texas Department of Insurance’s TWIA overview, TWIA operates in 14 “first-tier” coastal counties, plus portions of Harris County east of State Highway 146 within the city limits of Pasadena, Morgan’s Point, Shoreacres, Seabrook and La Porte. See TWIA’s website for the county map.
What it covers
Windstorm and hail only. Fire, theft, liability and other perils require a separate policy — see our Texas non-renewal guide for how the Texas FAIR Plan Association fits in.
Eligibility
- Declination: you must have been declined coverage from at least one licensed insurer offering wind/hail coverage in the first-tier counties, or receive substantially non-equivalent offers.
- Flood insurance: structures built after September 1, 2009 in V, VE or V1–V30 flood zones must show evidence of a flood policy, if flood insurance is available.
- Building code: properties must pass the windstorm inspection process or qualify under noncompliance provisions with surcharges. How windstorm certificates (WPI-8) work.
2026 limits and size
The TDI overview lists maximum residential limits effective January 1, 2026 of $1,773,000 for dwellings and $374,000 for apartment/condo contents. TWIA’s Q2 2026 Fact Book reports that it insured 288,676 properties as of June 30, 2026, with total insured value of about $128.3 billion.
How it’s funded
For the 2026 hurricane season TWIA’s Fact Book reports $4.3 billion in funding: $2.3 billion in reinsurance, $1 billion in member company assessments, $1 billion in a state-funded financing arrangement, and $25 million from the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund. It also reports that the Board directed staff in August 2026 to file a 0% rate change for 2027 policies. Rates and figures change; check TWIA directly for current numbers.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to be declined before applying to TWIA?
- Yes — TDI’s overview says applicants must have been declined by at least one licensed insurer offering windstorm/hail coverage in the first-tier counties, or receive substantially non-equivalent coverage offers.
- Does TWIA cover fire?
- No. TWIA covers windstorm and hail only, so you need a separate policy for other perils.
- What is TWIA’s maximum dwelling limit?
- $1,773,000 for dwellings, effective January 1, 2026, per the Texas Department of Insurance overview.
Next steps
Use our state guides and calculators to turn this into a plan.