Windstorm Insurance

        Texas has the third greatest risk of Hurricane damage of the U.S. Gulf States. In Texas coastal counties, Home Insurance excludes the peril of windstorm, hurricane and hail. Windstorm Insurance protects your house & possessions from these perils. 

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Windstorm coverage is normally purchased with your homeowner's insurance. Use our home insurance quote request and mark "Windstorm" under the question "Other Insurance Needed."

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Windstorm Property Coverages

House - Provides protection up to your limit for damage or destruction of your house from the peril of windstorm and hail. 

Secondary Structures - As part of the total dwelling coverage, detached structures can be included in a claim up to 10% of the total dwelling coverage.
 
Contents - Provides protection for your clothes, appliances, furniture and other possessions at your residence from the peril of windstorm and hail. 

Special Windstorm Issues & Terminology

Storm Surge - A tropical cyclone including Hurricanes and Major Hurricanes can cause a great deal of damage from pushing a wall of water on shore.  If you live on the coast, particularly close to shore, Flood Insurance may be needed to protect your house from this additional peril.
 
Windstorm Insurance Inspection Certificate (WPI-8) - This is a certificate that shows your building has been built or modified to be in compliance to the Windstorm Insurance requirements. Structures that don't have this certificate are subject to a 15% rating surcharge. For more information on obtaining a WPI-8 Certificate, contact the Texas Department of Insurance - http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wind/index.html 

Tier One Counties - The Texas Counties immediately on the Gulf Coast are referred to as "Tier One Counties." This includes Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Willacy Counties. Also included in the "Tier One County" designation is a small area of Harris Counties east of State Highway 146 (La Porte, Morgan's Point, Pasadena, Seabrook and Shoreacres). This is the area in which the peril of Windstorm is typically not covered by your Home Insurance and coverage from this peril must be obtained from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
 
Windstorm Deductible - Be sure to ask what your deductible is. In the event of a Windstorm loss, your compensation for property damaged would begin after the loss exceeds your deductible.

Tropical Cyclone Definitions:

Tropical Wave - low pressure trough with persistent winds

Tropical Disturbance - area of thunderstorms characterized by heavy rains and gusty winds

Tropical Depression – organized system of thunderstorms with wind speed less than 39 MPH

Tropical Storm – organized storm with wind speed between 39 MPH and 73 MPH

Hurricane – wind speed between 74 MPH and 110 MPH  (Hurricane Category 1 & 2)

Major Hurricane – wind speed greater than 110 MPH (Hurricane Category 3, 4 & 5)

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale:

 The name given to the more powerful tropical cyclones in our area comes from the Mayan evil god of winds and destruction "Hunraken."

Category One Hurricane - Sustained winds 74-95 mph
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage

Category Two Hurricane - Sustained winds 96-110 mph
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

Category Three Hurricane - Sustained winds 111-130 mph
Devastating damage will occur

Category Four Hurricane - Sustained winds 131-155 mph
Catastrophic damage will occur

Category Five Hurricane - Sustained winds greater than 155 mph
Catastrophic damage will occur

Other Resources

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association - Homepage link   http://www.twia.org/

Announcements

FLOOD INSURANCE

Flood damage is a big part of many tropical storm events. Link here for more information on flood risk and flood insurance.

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