Texas Windstorm Insurance: Where It Is Required & How It Works

Is windstorm insurance required in Texas?

Written by
Mandy Sleight,
Mandy Sleight,

Mandy Sleight

Contributing writer | Insurance

Mandy Sleight is a contributing writer at Kin and an insurance expert who is licensed in property and casualty insurance. Mandy has worked for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance, and her writing has appeared in Bankrate, CNET, TIME, USA Today, US News and World Report, and elsewhere.

Edited by

Jessa Claeys
Jessa Claeys

Jessa Claeys

Lead editor | Insurance

Jessa Claeys is lead editor at Kin and a licensed insurance expert. Previously, she was an insurance editor at Bankrate and Jerry.

Updated Mar 20, 2026

Texas homeowners face some of the most extreme weather risks in the country. Along the Gulf Coast and across large portions of the Lone Star State, natural disasters like hurricanes, tropical storms, straight-line winds, and severe hailstorms cause billions of dollars in property damage each year.

In many areas, wind and hail coverage is included in a standard Texas homeowners insurance policy. But in certain coastal regions — called “tiered” or “first-tier” counties — insurance companies commonly exclude windstorm and hail coverage. Homeowners in high-risk areas may be required by their mortgage lenders to buy a separate windstorm insurance policy. And even if it’s not required, it’s smart to consider purchasing this coverage so a major storm doesn’t leave you buried in repair bills.

Who needs Texas windstorm insurance?

Texas windstorm insurance is primarily for homeowners in high-risk coastal areas, but some inland properties may also benefit from a windstorm and hail policy. If your home is located in a region prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, or frequent hail events, you may need separate windstorm coverage if your homeowners policy excludes wind and hail damage.

Mortgage lenders usually require windstorm insurance for properties in designated tiered coastal counties in Texas. Without proof of windstorm coverage, you may not be able to close on a home or refinance your existing loan.

Where is windstorm insurance required in Texas?

Windstorm insurance is not required in most of Texas. However, it is mandatory for homes in the following first-tier coastal counties:

If you live in one of these Texas counties, you’ll need to buy a separate windstorm policy either through a private insurer or the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).

What does Texas windstorm insurance cover?

Texas windstorm insurance covers damage caused by wind, wind-driven events like hurricanes and tropical storms, and hail. Notably, damage from flooding is excluded. Homeowners would need a flood endorsement or separate flood insurance policy to cover this type of damage.

Windstorm coverage only applies to your home and personal belongings. Policies include the following:

Windstorm insurance vs. home insurance

Put simply, windstorm insurance steps in to fill gaps in your homeowners policy if you live in an area where standard home insurance coverage excludes damage from wind and hail events. The table below highlights the key differences between windstorm insurance and home insurance, showing why homeowners in tiered Texas counties need both policies.
Policy features Homeowners insurance Windstorm Insurance
Wind damage Excluded in many coastal counties Covered
Hail damage Excluded in many coastal counties Covered
Fire, theft, and other perils Covered (varies by policy type and coverage) Not covered
Liability coverage Included Excluded
Loss of use Included Included (for wind and hail losses only)

What is the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association?

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is a state-created, nonprofit insurer of last resort that provides windstorm and hail coverage in high-risk coastal areas. TWIA exists to ensure homeowners can get coverage when private insurers are unable to offer it.

You can only apply for a TWIA policy if you’ve been denied a wind and hail policy by at least one private insurance company. To get coverage through TWIA, contact your current insurance agent or company, or another company licensed to sell property insurance in Texas. The agent will submit your application to TWIA underwriting for approval. After receiving an offer of insurance, you’ll need to pay for your policy through your agent, mortgage company, or TWIA.

How to get a WPI-8 certificate of compliance

You’ll need a WPI-8 certificate of compliance to buy windstorm insurance in Texas. The certificate is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and proves that your home meets Texas windstorm building code requirements.

If you’re planning new construction, a roof replacement, or major structural repairs, the certification process should start before work begins. A TDI-appointed inspector will inspect the construction process and completed work, then submit a completed construction inspection form (WPI-2E) through the TDI windstorm system.

If the work has already been completed without inspection, you’ll need to have a TDI-appointed inspector or licensed Texas professional engineer inspect the completed structure, complete the WPI-2E form, and submit it to TDI along with a sealed post-construction inspection report.

Once TDI receives all the documentation and approves your application, it will issue the WPI-8 (for ongoing work) or WPI-8-E (for completed work) certificate of compliance. You can then share it with your insurance agent to buy or renew windstorm coverage.

How much is windstorm insurance in Texas?

According to TWIA, the average residential premium for windstorm insurance in Texas is around $2,480 per year.

Insurers calculate Texas windstorm insurance premiums based on several factors, including:

How do windstorm deductibles work?

Standard homeowners policies often have a separate deductible for wind and hail claims. A standalone windstorm policy will also have a deductible, which is the amount of the covered loss the homeowner is responsible for paying out of pocket.

There are two main deductible types:

Example: Let’s say you have roof damage after a windstorm and file a claim. If you have a flat-dollar deductible of $2,500, insurance will help pay for covered loss up to your policy limit, minus the $2,500 you’re responsible for. But if your home is insured for $300,000 and has a 2% wind/hail deductible, you would be responsible for covering $6,000 of the covered loss out of pocket.

How to lower your Texas windstorm insurance premium

Homeowners who make their homes better able to withstand high winds may qualify for discounted insurance premiums. Check with your agent to determine which discounts may be available and how to qualify.

Common wind mitigation strategies include:

You can also shop around and compare quotes from multiple Texas insurance companies to find the cheapest price on a wind and hail insurance policy.