Key takeaways
- TWIA claims follow their own statutory rules in Texas Insurance Code Chapter 2210, Subchapter L-1, which control over conflicting law.
- File no later than one year after the date of damage. The Commissioner may extend that by up to 180 days for good cause.
- TWIA may request information within 30 days, must accept or deny within 60 days, and must pay an accepted amount within 10 days of the notice.
- Amount disputes go to appraisal (demand within 60 days of the acceptance notice). Coverage denials require a notice of intent and may go to mediation or a settlement conference.
- Chapter 542A pre-suit notice does not apply to TWIA, and suits must be filed within two years of a denial notice.
For most homeowners in Corpus Christi, Portland, Rockport, Port Aransas, and the rest of the Coastal Bend, wind and hail coverage comes from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. The TWIA claim process is not the same as a claim with a private homeowners insurer. The deadlines are written into state law, the dispute options are specific, and missing one step can affect your rights. This guide explains each stage in order, with the statutory deadlines in one table, so you know what to expect and when.
What TWIA covers, and who it covers
The Texas Legislature established TWIA in 1971 as the wind and hail insurer for the coast. Its designated catastrophe area includes 14 first-tier coastal counties, among them Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, and Kleberg, plus parts of Harris County east of Highway 146. In TWIA’s own words, its policies “provide coverage for wind and hail losses only… No other perils are covered.” It is not flood insurance.
Eligibility also has a construction side. Structures built, altered, remodeled, enlarged, or repaired on or after Jan. 1, 1988 generally need a windstorm certificate of compliance to be TWIA-eligible. Our article on windstorm certificates and WPI-8 covers that in detail. If you have a hurricane loss that also involves surge or flooding, start with our Corpus Christi hurricane damage claims guide.
TWIA claim deadlines at a glance
These deadlines come from Texas Insurance Code Chapter 2210, Subchapter L-1. Your policy and any notices from TWIA may add details, and the Commissioner can extend some deadlines after a major event.
| Step | Deadline | Who acts | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| File the claim | No later than 1 year after the date of damage | Policyholder | §2210.573(a), §2210.205(a)(1) |
| Extension to file | Up to 180 more days for good cause | Commissioner, at policyholder’s request | §2210.205(b) |
| Request for missing information | Within 30 days after the claim is filed | TWIA | §2210.573(b) |
| Accept in full, accept in part, or deny | Within 60 days after receiving the claim or requested information, whichever is later | TWIA | §2210.573(d) |
| Extension of TWIA deadlines | Capped at 120 days total for claims from one event | Commissioner | §2210.581 |
| Payment of accepted amount | Within 10 days after the notice (or after the claimant’s required act) | TWIA | §2210.5731 |
| Demand appraisal (amount dispute) | Within 60 days after receiving the acceptance or partial-acceptance notice | Policyholder | §2210.574(b) |
| Extra time to demand appraisal | 30 more days, if requested in writing with good cause within 15 days after the 60-day period ends | TWIA may grant | §2210.574(c) |
| Notice of intent to sue (coverage dispute) | Before the limitations period runs out | Policyholder | §2210.575(a)–(b) |
| TWIA request for mediation or settlement conference | Within 60 days of receiving the notice of intent | TWIA | §2210.575(c) |
| Complete alternative dispute resolution | Within 60 days of the request, unless extended | Both parties | §2210.575(d) |
| Deadline to sue | No later than 2 years after receiving the partial or full denial notice | Policyholder | §2210.577 |
You can plug your own dates into our claim deadline calculator to see these milestones on a calendar.
Step-by-step: how a TWIA claim moves
Step 1: Protect the property and document the damage
Before you file, or at the same time, take reasonable steps to prevent further damage: tarp roof openings, board broken windows, and dry out wet areas. Photograph and video everything before and after those steps, and keep receipts. Note the date and time the damage occurred, since the one-year filing window runs from that date. Our claim documentation checklist can help you organize what you gather.
Step 2: File the claim
Report the claim through the channels TWIA lists on twia.org or through your insurance agent. Write down your claim number, the date you filed, and every person you speak with. If you also have flood damage, file a separate claim with your flood insurer. TWIA will not handle the flood portion.
Step 3: Respond to information requests
TWIA may ask in writing for missing information within 30 days after you file. This matters because the 60-day decision clock runs from the later of the date TWIA receives your claim or the date it receives the information it asked for. Respond completely, keep copies, and note the date you sent each item.
Step 4: The inspection
An adjuster will inspect the property. Walk the adjuster through every damaged area, including the attic, all roof slopes, exterior walls, windows, fences, and outbuildings. Point out interior water damage and show where the water came in. Ask how the adjuster is separating wind damage from pre-existing wear or water from other sources.
Step 5: The written decision
Within 60 days, subject to any Commissioner extension, TWIA must tell you in writing whether it accepts the claim in full, accepts it in part, or denies it. Read the notice carefully. A partial acceptance usually means TWIA agrees some damage is covered but not all of it, or disagrees on the cost. That distinction matters, because amount disputes and coverage disputes follow different paths.
Step 6: Payment
TWIA must pay the accepted claim, or the accepted part, within 10 days after the notice. If payment depends on something you must do first, such as signing a document, the 10 days run from that act. Check your policy for how it handles replacement cost and depreciation; where a policy pays actual cash value first and the rest after repairs, it sets its own conditions and time limits. Keep invoices and proof of repair either way.
When you disagree: amount disputes vs. coverage disputes
Disagreeing over the amount: appraisal
If TWIA accepted all or part of the claim but you believe the amount is too low, appraisal is the path set out in §2210.574. You may demand appraisal within 60 days after receiving the acceptance or partial-acceptance notice. If you need more time, you can ask TWIA in writing, with good cause, within 15 days after that 60-day period ends, and TWIA may grant 30 more days.
In appraisal, each side selects an appraiser. If the two appraisers cannot agree on an umpire, the Commissioner picks one from a TDI roster. The policyholder and TWIA split the appraisal costs equally. Appraisal decides the amount of loss; it does not decide whether something is covered. Learn more on our insurance appraisal page.
Disagreeing over coverage: notice of intent and ADR
If TWIA denied all or part of the claim on coverage grounds, Subchapter L-1 sets a specific sequence. You must give TWIA notice of your intent to sue before the limitations period runs out; missing this waives the right to contest the denial. TWIA may then require mediation or a moderated settlement conference, and it must request that within 60 days of receiving your notice. That process must be completed within 60 days of the request unless the Commissioner or both parties extend it. If you are not satisfied, or ADR is not finished in time, suit may be filed in district court in the county where the loss occurred, no later than two years after you received the denial notice. That two-year limit is a statute of repose.
Private-carrier disputes in Texas usually involve a 61-day pre-suit notice under Chapter 542A. Section 542A.002(b) says that chapter does not apply to an action against TWIA. TWIA disputes follow Subchapter L-1 instead. Because these rules are legal deadlines, talk to a Texas attorney before relying on any date to preserve a lawsuit.
The TDI ombudsman program
The Texas Department of Insurance runs an ombudsman program to help TWIA policyholders with the claims process (§2210.582). If you are confused about where your claim stands or what a notice means, the ombudsman can be a useful resource. You can find TDI’s windstorm information at tdi.texas.gov.
Common TWIA claim problems in the Coastal Bend
- Wind vs. water. TWIA covers wind; flood covers surge and rising water. Interior damage from water can be disputed in both directions. See our article on wind vs. storm surge damage.
- Wear and tear vs. storm damage. Salt air, sun, and age affect roofing and metal components along the coast. Clear photos and dated records help separate storm damage from long-term wear.
- Incomplete estimates. Missing roof components, interior repairs, or code-required work can lower an estimate. Our estimate review service explains what we look for.
- Deductibles. Check your declarations page for the deductible that applies to your loss. Our article on named-storm and hurricane deductibles explains how percentage deductibles work.
What to keep in your TWIA claim file
Because so much of the TWIA process runs on dates, a well-organized file is one of the best protections you have. Keep:
- The date and time the damage occurred, with any time-stamped photos or videos
- Your claim number and the date you filed
- Every written request from TWIA, with the date received and the date you responded
- The written acceptance, partial acceptance, or denial notice, and the date you received it
- Estimates, inspection reports, and any engineering reports
- Receipts for emergency repairs, tarps, drying, and temporary housing
- Your windstorm certificate (WPI-8) and any repair permits
- Notes from every phone call: date, person, and what was said
Those dates drive the appraisal window, the notice-of-intent requirement, and the two-year deadline to sue, so record them as they happen.
How a public adjuster can help with a TWIA claim
A licensed public adjuster represents the policyholder, not TWIA. On a TWIA claim, that can mean documenting the damage, preparing a detailed estimate, tracking the statutory deadlines, responding to information requests, and handling communication with the TWIA adjuster. Corpus Christi Public Adjuster provides TWIA claim help to homeowners and business owners in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, and surrounding Coastal Bend communities. Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement.
If you have an open TWIA claim, or you think a decision letter is wrong, a Corpus Christi Public Adjuster free claim review is a simple place to start. You can also call or text +1 (832) 503-5866.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a TWIA claim?
No later than one year after the date the damage occurred (Texas Insurance Code §2210.573(a)). The Commissioner of Insurance may extend that deadline by up to 180 days if the policyholder shows good cause (§2210.205(b)). Waiting until near the deadline makes damage harder to document, so report as soon as you reasonably can.
How long does TWIA have to accept or deny my claim?
TWIA must send written notice accepting the claim in full, accepting it in part, or denying it within 60 days after it receives the claim or any information it requested, whichever is later (§2210.573(d)). The Commissioner may extend TWIA’s deadlines, but extensions for claims from one event are capped at 120 days in total.
What can I do if I disagree with the amount TWIA offered?
If TWIA accepted the claim in full or in part but you disagree on the amount of loss, you may demand appraisal within 60 days after receiving the acceptance notice (§2210.574(b)). TWIA may grant 30 more days if you ask in writing, with good cause, within 15 days after the 60-day period ends. You and TWIA split appraisal costs equally.
Does the 61-day pre-suit notice under Chapter 542A apply to TWIA?
No. Texas Insurance Code §542A.002(b) says Chapter 542A does not apply to an action against TWIA. Disputes over denied TWIA coverage follow the notice-of-intent and alternative dispute resolution steps in Subchapter L-1 instead. Talk to a Texas attorney about any lawsuit or deadline to sue.
Is there anyone at the state who helps TWIA policyholders?
Yes. The Texas Department of Insurance runs an ombudsman program to help TWIA policyholders with the claims process (§2210.582). It can help explain the process, but it does not act as your representative in the way a licensed public adjuster or attorney would.
Can a public adjuster handle a TWIA claim?
Yes. A Texas-licensed public adjuster can represent you on a TWIA claim, including documenting the damage, preparing an estimate, and communicating with TWIA. Fees are disclosed in a written contract before any work begins; Texas law caps public adjuster compensation at 10% of the insurance settlement.
Sources and further reading
This article is general information about property insurance claims in Texas, not legal advice, and not a promise of any coverage or outcome. Your policy language and the facts of your loss control your claim.
