Questions & answers · Home insurance
I live on the Texas coast. Does my home policy cover wind and hail damage?
Home insuranceOtherTexasChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: TDI View original ↗
In short
- On the Texas coast, your home policy might not cover wind and hail.
- A state-run group called TWIA sells that coverage.
- You may not be able to buy it when a hurricane is in the Gulf.
What this means
TDI says that if you live on the Texas coast or in Harris County on Galveston Bay, your home policy "might not cover wind and hail damage". The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) sells wind and hail coverage for coastal residents, and you buy it from local insurance agents [1].
Depending on where you live, TDI says you might need flood insurance before TWIA will sell you a policy. You also might need a home inspection by an engineer or a windstorm inspector [1].
TDI also says: "TWIA won't sell you a policy if there's a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico." Do not wait until the last minute [1].
For a TWIA claim, TDI says TWIA has 60 days to tell you whether it will accept or deny your claim. Once it has what it needs and has accepted your claim, it has 10 days to pay [1].
Your next step
Ask your agent whether your home policy excludes wind and hail, and whether you have a TWIA policy. TDI gives twia.org and 800-788-8247 for more information [1].
Check it yourself
Open the TDI guide below and read "Windstorm and hail insurance on the Gulf Coast".
Where this comes from (1)
[1] TDI · checked 2026-11-06
If you live on the Texas coast or in Harris County on Galveston Bay, your home policy might not cover wind and hail damage. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) sells wind and hail coverage for coastal residents. You buy TWIA coverage from local insurance agents. Depending on where you live, you might need flood insurance before TWIA will sell you a policy. You also might need a home inspection by an engi…
How we found this
We matched your question to 1 official source, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
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Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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