Texas Windstorm Certificates (WPI-8) and TWIA

TWIA says Texas Insurance Code Chapter 2210 requires a coastal property to be certified as meeting the windstorm building code for its area before it can get wind and hail coverage from TWIA. The proof is a Windstorm Certificate of Compliance.

Without one, TWIA says it has no evidence the structure meets the applicable building codes, and the property may be considered uninsurable and ineligible for TWIA coverage. Two exceptions are explained below.

The certificate is one of several TWIA eligibility rules. TWIA lists these:

• The property is in the area the Commissioner of Insurance designates: currently the 14 first-tier coastal counties (Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio and Willacy) and parts of Harris County east of Highway 146.
• The applicant has been denied coverage by at least one authorized insurer that is actively writing or renewing windstorm and hail coverage in that area.
• The property is certified as built to applicable building codes, with limited exceptions.
• In flood zones V, VE or V1-30, properties built, altered, remodeled or enlarged on or after September 1, 2009 that can get National Flood Insurance Program coverage must show proof of flood insurance.
• The structure is kept in insurable condition: in good repair, with no unrepaired damage or hazardous conditions.

How TWIA coverage fits with your homeowners policy →

“Certificate of Compliance” covers three forms. TWIA defines them this way:

A new or ongoing improvement is one whose construction hasn’t started or finished. That includes new structures and alterations, remodeling, enlargements, repairs (including reroofing) and additions. A completed improvement is one where title has passed from the builder to the first owner, or, where no transfer is planned, one that is substantially completed: the final framing stage, including cladding and windborne debris protection, is done.

TWIA gives these common examples. The Texas Department of Insurance keeps the full list of work that doesn’t need certifying.

If you’re planning a roof, windows or an addition on a home you insure through TWIA, sort out certification before the work starts. Work not yet begun or finished is a new or ongoing improvement, which TDI certifies with a WPI-8, and TWIA says a structure without the certificates it needs may be considered uninsurable.

TWIA describes two exceptions set out in the Texas Insurance Code:

• Built from 1988 to June 18, 2009. A residential property from this period that isn’t certified may still be eligible for TWIA coverage, but it pays a 15% surcharge on top of its premium.
• Dropped by a private insurer. A residential property insured on or after June 19, 2009 by a private-market insurer, which is then non-renewed or cancelled and is missing a required WPI-8 at that time, may be eligible for TWIA coverage.

If your private insurer has non-renewed you, the second exception may matter. What to do after a non-renewal →

A new certificate

Since June 1, 2020, TWIA says all Certificates of Compliance are issued by the Texas Department of Insurance through its Windstorm Inspection Program. TWIA lists the program’s contact details as www.tdi.texas.gov/wind, (800) 248-6032 and windstorm@tdi.texas.gov, with field offices in Beaumont, La Marque, Angleton and Corpus Christi.

An existing certificate

• WPI-8 and WPI-8-E: TWIA says TDI processed the majority of certificates, and copies can be found through TDI’s online database.
• WPI-8-C (issued by TWIA from January 1, 2017 to May 31, 2020): request a copy through TWIA’s certificate lookup. Search by ZIP code and street number, then submit the request form. TWIA notes these certificates aren’t available on TDI’s website.

Buying a coastal home? Ask the seller for the certificates for the house and for any later roof, window or addition work, before you need to apply for TWIA coverage.