CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is ready to respond to policyholders whose covered properties have sustained damage from Hurricane Hanna.
TWIA has nearly 67,000 policies in force in the Texas counties placed under hurricane or tropical storm watch by the National Weather Service prior to Hanna’s landfall.
“TWIA is here to serve our policyholders impacted by Hurricane Hanna,” TWIA vice president Jennifer Armstrong SAID. “We encourage everyone in the path of this storm to put the safety of themselves and their families first.”
Here are some recommendations that TWIA has for policyholders who were impacted by the storm:
Prior to filing a claim:
- Review your TWIA insurance coverage, knowing what is covered and what isn’t:
- Know your coverage limits and understand your deductible, especially if filing a claim for the first time.
- Remember: TWIA does not cover storm surge/flood damage, and flood insurance does not cover wind damage.
- Assess property damage and take pictures or video of the damage.
- Go to TWIA.org [twia.org] and click on “Register for Claims Center.” Once registered, policyholders can file a claim any time, view claim information and claim status, and communicate directly with TWIA claims staff.
- Claims may also be reported by calling TWIA’s 24-hour claims call center at (800) 788-8247.
- Have your TWIA policy number, best contact information, and property damage details ready.
After filing a claim:
- Focus on protecting your property:
- Make temporary or minor repairs to prevent further property damage.
- Keep receipts and records of payment for any temporary repairs.
- Do not begin making permanent repairs until TWIA has contacted you and your property has been inspected (if applicable).
- Maintain contact with TWIA about your claim; this ensures it is resolved most quickly:
- Respond promptly to phone calls and/or emails and requests for information about your claim.
TWIA recognizes the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on our coastal communities and has introduced social distancing and safety protocols to the claim handling process, issuing guidelines field adjusters must follow to ensure the safety of policyholders and themselves during claims inspections and offering no-contact and low-contact options for claim processing using existing technology.
Policyholders reporting claims to TWIA may have the option of virtually documenting internal damage to their property without the need for an adjuster to enter the home.
As Hurricane Hanna is already within the boundaries of 80 degrees west longitude and 20 degrees north latitude, TWIA can no longer accept new or increased coverage applications. This moratorium will remain in effect until the TWIA General Manager determines that the storm no longer threatens property within the designated catastrophe area of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.