Which counties
The first-tier coastal counties named in Texas Insurance Code §2210.003 are:
- Aransas
- Brazoria
- Calhoun
- Cameron
- Chambers
- Galveston
- Jefferson
- Kenedy
- Kleberg
- Matagorda
- Nueces
- Refugio
- San Patricio
- Willacy
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) says the designated catastrophe area covers these 14 counties plus the parts of Harris County east of Highway 146.
How certification works
- TWIA requires a Windstorm Certificate of Compliance for new structures. Since June 1, 2020, TDI has issued all certificates.
- During construction, inspections are done by a TDI-appointed engineer or a TDI inspector, using form WPI-8.
- For a building that's already finished, a Texas-licensed professional engineer certifies it (WPI-8-E).
- TDI says new windstorm applications from April 1, 2026 must be certified to the 2024 International Residential or Building Code.
Insurance on the coast
TWIA is a last-resort insurer for wind and hail on the coast, and it may require flood insurance first. Standard home policies exclude flood, and flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period (TDI). If no company will insure your home, the Texas FAIR Plan is another last resort; it requires two declines and no offer from any insurer.
Questions to ask a builder
- Have you built to windstorm standards in this county, and who does your WPI-8 inspections?
- Is the engineering for the steel or post-frame structure stamped for this location's wind speed?
- Who schedules the inspections, and is that in your price?
Sources: Texas Insurance Code §2210.003; TDI "Do you need a windstorm inspection?" (updated May 2026) and TWIA and FAIR Plan pages; TWIA windstorm certification page. Checked 7 Nov 2026. Report an error