Why a TWIA expert matters on the island
If you own property on Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula, Jamaica Beach or anywhere in Galveston County, your wind and hail coverage is very likely written by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) — the state's insurer of last resort for the 14 first-tier coastal counties. TWIA claims are governed by their own chapter of the Insurance Code, with their own deadlines, their own appraisal rules and their own lawsuit requirements. A private carrier's playbook doesn't apply.
That is why the adjuster you choose matters. A TWIA expert knows which documents TWIA expects, how TWIA separates wind damage from flood damage, and which deadlines can't be missed. We build the claim file TWIA's own reviewers need to say "yes."
What a TWIA expert does on your claim
- Reviews your TWIA policy and declarations — coverage limits, the percentage windstorm deductible, contents and additional living expense.
- Inspects roof to foundation — creased and unsealed shingles, lifted flashing, wind-driven rain through walls and windows, and interior water damage.
- Separates wind from water. TWIA covers wind and hail, not flood. We document the direction, height and pattern of damage so wind-caused losses aren't written off as "flood."
- Writes a complete estimate with code-required items, matching, overhead and profit.
- Tracks every deadline — the 30-day information request, 60-day decision, 10-day payment and 60-day appraisal windows.
- Negotiates, re-inspects and supplements until the claim is paid correctly.
The TWIA claim timeline at a glance
| Stage | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| File the claim | Within 1 year of the date of damage (up to 180-day extension for good cause) | §2210.573(a), §2210.205 |
| TWIA requests information | Within 30 days after the claim is filed | §2210.573(b) |
| TWIA accepts, partly accepts or denies | Within 60 days of the claim or the requested info, whichever is later | §2210.573(d) |
| TWIA pays an accepted claim | Within 10 days of acceptance | §2210.5731 |
| Demand appraisal (amount disputes) | Within 60 days of the decision notice | §2210.574 |
| Notice of intent to sue (coverage denial) | Before the 2-year limit runs | §2210.575 |
| File suit | Within 2 years of receiving the denial | §2210.577 |
After a declared catastrophe the Commissioner may extend TWIA's deadlines (§2210.581). Always check the dates on your own TWIA letters.
Common reasons TWIA claims come up short
After every storm, a TWIA expert sees the same patterns in claim files that get denied or underpaid:
- "Wear and tear" or "pre-existing." Older roofs still get damaged by wind. Creased shingles have lost their seal — that's storm damage, not age.
- "Flood, not wind." Water marks, interior staining above flood lines, and missing roof components tell a different story.
- Repair instead of replace. Spot repairs that can't match, or that don't meet the windstorm code TDI requires for a WPI-8, can leave you paying the difference.
- Missing line items. Drip edge, starter, underlayment upgrades, permits, WPI-8 inspection costs and overhead and profit are routinely left out.
- Missed deadlines and incomplete proof. TWIA decides on the information it has. We make sure it has everything.
TWIA claims help after a denial or low offer
A denial letter isn't the end. Depending on why TWIA said no, we can supply new evidence and request a re-inspection, submit a supplemental claim for missed damage, invoke appraisal for amount disputes, or help you understand when a coverage dispute needs an attorney. The sooner we see your letter, the more options you keep.
Hiring a TWIA expert: what it costs
You pay nothing up front. Texas caps public adjuster fees at 10% of the settlement (Insurance Code §4102.104), your contract must be on a TDI-approved form, and you can rescind it in writing within 72 hours of signing. If the claim isn't paid, you owe nothing. Use our claim payout calculator to see your net after deductible and fee.
Why Galveston owners choose our TWIA expert
We work the Texas coast and know how the island's wind, salt air and surge interact with Galveston's building code and TDI's windstorm rules. When you call, you'll speak with Joseph Dittman directly — someone who will give you a straight answer about whether your claim is worth pursuing.
TWIA expert FAQ
What is a TWIA expert?
A TWIA expert is a licensed public adjuster who works Texas Windstorm Insurance Association claims regularly and knows TWIA's statute (Texas Insurance Code chapter 2210), its deadlines, its documentation expectations and its dispute procedures. They represent the policyholder, not TWIA.
How long does TWIA have to decide my claim?
Under Insurance Code §2210.573, TWIA may request information within 30 days after a claim is filed, and must accept, partly accept or deny the claim in writing within 60 days after it receives the claim or the requested information (whichever is later). The Commissioner can extend TWIA's deadlines after a catastrophe. Accepted amounts are due within 10 days (§2210.5731).
Can I dispute the amount TWIA offered?
Yes. For disputes over the amount of loss, you can demand appraisal within 60 days of TWIA's decision notice (§2210.574). We can prepare the documentation that appraisal is won or lost on.
What if TWIA denies coverage?
For coverage denials, Texas law requires a notice of intent to sue before the two-year limitations period runs, and any lawsuit must be filed within two years of receiving the denial (§§2210.575, 2210.577). We are not attorneys; when a claim needs a lawyer we tell you early, while every option is still open.
Does TWIA require a WPI-8?
Structures built, altered or repaired on or after January 1, 1988 generally need a Certificate of Compliance (WPI-8 or WPI-8-E) to be eligible for TWIA coverage. See Texas windstorm rules.
Ready to talk to a TWIA expert? Call (832) 503-5866 for an expert consultation, or send the form and we'll call you back today.