September 5, 2025
When a storm enters the gulf, it’s too late to ask: ‘Do I have enough insurance?’
Once a named storm enters the gulf, most insurance companies, including the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), stop selling new policies or making changes to existing ones.
That means you can’t wait until a storm is approaching to think about your insurance coverage, because you won’t be able to buy or change it then!
Of course, this is especially critical for Texans with homes near the Gulf Coast. But the effects of a hurricane, like flooding and tornado force winds, can extend well beyond the coast.
Which leads us to another key point, flood insurance. Most home policies don’t pay for damage from rising flood waters. Most people buy flood coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program. And unless you’re buying coverage for a new home, these policies don’t go into effect until 30 days after you buy them.
So again, you can’t wait until a storm is coming to ask: “Am I covered?”
Learn more
- Where else you can buy flood insurance
- How to prepare for a hurricane (video)
- Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property
- Texas summer storm safety
- Hurricane Preparation Fact Sheet
June 13, 2025
House damaged by Hurricane Beryl? File your wind/hail claim soon.
July 8 is the deadline to file a claim with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) if wind and hail from Hurricane Beryl damaged your house.
You can start the claims process online or by calling your agent.
Learn more
- Texas Coastal Outreach and Assistance Services Team (COAST) (PDF)
- Protect yourself from contractor scams
- Steps to getting your home or car insurance claim paid
May 23, 2025
TDI prepares to help Texans before hurricane season begins
Hurricane season runs from June through November. To prepare, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) recommends you make a home inventory, review your insurance policies, consider buying flood insurance, and check the condition of your windows and roof to reinforce your home’s hardiness where you can.
In 2001, TDI, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the Institute for Business & Home Safety founded the Texas State Disaster Coalition. Members of the coalition, including dozens of stakeholders from the Red Cross to insurance companies, can be activated as part of TDI’s disaster response.
Before hurricane season, TDI staff make sure coalition members have what they need. Also, TDI volunteers commit to join disaster response teams as needed.
Randall Evans, who heads the Consumer Protection Division, said: “As the frequency and severity of storms have increased, we have adjusted the model of our disaster program and increased our resources, escalating our readiness.”
After a hurricane, TDI’s role is to give insurance-related information to the public, handle consumer complaints, and make sure that filed claims are handled appropriately. Staff also investigate unfair or illegal practices.
“The Texas Department of Insurance prepares for weather disasters year-round,” said TDI Commissioner Cassie Brown. “We are ready to help Texans.”
Have an insurance question or concern? Call TDI’s Help Line, 800-252-3439, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time.
Learn more
Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property
May 22, 2025
Experts predict an active hurricane season. Use our tips to prepare.
Texas and the U.S. could be in for a busy hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that 13 to 19 named storms could develop over the Atlantic Ocean during hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Six to ten of the storms could develop into hurricanes, NOAA says, three to five of them major storms.
Colorado State University experts expect 17 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of them major storms. They warn there’s an 70% chance that a named storm hits Texas this hurricane season.
The good news is that Texans have time now to prepare.
Some tips:
- Consider buying flood insurance. Flood damage isn’t usually covered by your home insurance. Don’t wait long: It typically takes 30 days for flood policies to take effect.
- Write a family disaster plan. Start on the TexasReady.gov website
- Decide where and how far you’ll go if you evacuate.
- Build a “go kit” with food, medicine, clothes, pet food, and other vital supplies.
- Make a room-by-room home inventory. This could help later if you file a claim.
Learn more
Plan to be safe before a hurricane hits Texas
Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property
Flood insurance: Why you need a policy
September 9, 2024
How to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm
Hurricanes and tropical systems can bring strong winds and rain. Here’s how you can prepare:
1. Invest in a weather radio
Have a way to get updates if cell services or power lines go down. Many weather radios now work as backup power banks with ports to plug in your phone and with solar and crank handles to recharge the battery.
2. Add your agent to your phone contacts
Put your agent and insurance company in the contact list on your phone. Make copies of important documents, such as your policy’s declaration page and auto and health ID cards and email them to yourself so you can get to them if you have to evacuate.
3. Prepare your home
- Remove dead tree limbs and branches that hang over your house.
- Check for items that can become windborne, such as yard furniture or trampolines, and tie them down or bring them inside.
- Clean gutters to let the water drain faster.
- Close doors to keep your roof on.
- If you plan on using a generator if the power goes out, make sure you have enough fuel. If you haven’t used it in a while, make sure it starts.
4. Be ready to evacuate
- Pack a bag with your insurance policies, home inventory, health plan cards, medication, water, and food in case you need to leave your house.
- If you have pets, make sure you have their vaccination records, food, water, leash, collar, tags, and crate.
- Keep your gas tank full.
- Plan an evacuation and a backup evacuation route.
- Let family members know where you’ll meet if you need to evacuate.
5. Listen to the news
Follow any evacuation orders from your local government.
Learn more
- How to prepare for a hurricane (video)
- Before the storm
- Home inventory (video)
- How to safely use a portable generator (video)
- How to prepare for hurricane season (video)
- Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) Disaster information page
May 9, 2024
Hurricane season starts in May? Prepare now.
Hurricane season starts June 1, right?
Maybe officially, but not anymore, according to Dan Reilly, a Texas-based National Weather Service meteorologist. “In most of the recent years, we’ve had many storms, before June” Reilly said. “So, in reality, I would say hurricane season probably starts in May.”
Protect your family and property by preparing now.
A few tips:
- Make or update your home inventory. Take pictures or videos of each room in your home. For major items, write down the serial number, what you paid, and date you bought it. Don’t forget to get a video of items inside closets and drawers. Having a home inventory is one of the best things you can do to make sure you get the value of your claim.
- Have an emergency kit packed and ready to go. Set aside 3 gallons of water per person, enough to last three days. Also pack non-perishable food, a can opener and utensils, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and extra batteries. See a full kit list at ready.gov. Put some water and food supplies in your car too, just in case.
- Check your roof. Damaged shingles or leaks around chimneys or skylights will get worse in a storm. Have a professional secure loose shingles and check the metal flashing around openings or on roof valleys for leaks.
- Get your yard ready. Remove dead tree limbs and branches that hang over your house. Check for loose items that can become windborne such as yard furniture or trampolines. Tie them down.
For more tips, watch the Texas Insurance podcast.
Learn more
- How to prepare for a hurricane (video)
- Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property
- Plan to be safe before a hurricane hits Texas
- Flood insurance: Why you need a policy
- Before the storm
August 3, 2023
Coastal Texans can turn to TWIA for hail, windstorm coverage
In August 1970, Hurricane Celia slammed ashore at Corpus Christi, killing and injuring residents and leaving previously unheard-of hundreds of millions of dollars in damage.
In response to insurance companies increasing rates or no longer selling wind and hail coverage along the Gulf Coast, state lawmakers in 1971 launched the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
TWIA continues to serve as the wind and hail insurer of last resort for property owners in Texas’ 14 coastal counties and parts of Harris County. TWIA currently backs more than 237,000 policies.
If you live in a coastal community, read your homeowners policy to see if it covers hail and wind damage. If not, contact your insurance agent to see what options you have for coverage.
Eric Casas, TWIA ombudsman at the Texas Department of Insurance, cautions against assuming you can go without wind or hail coverage just because your home hasn’t been hit by a terrible storm. And if you have a mortgage, your lender will likely require you to have windstorm coverage.
Hear more tips about protecting your home from hail and wind damage in this episode of the Texas Insurance Podcast.
Learn more
- What is windstorm insurance?
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
- Homeowners, flood, and wind and hail policies: Know how they work
- What you need to know about windstorm inspections
May 2, 2023
Plan to be safe before a hurricane hits Texas
The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) regularly leads the state’s response to natural disasters including summer storms and hurricanes.
It also wants Texans to plan ahead to stay safe.
For instance, it’s a good idea to keep emergency “go kits”— basic disaster supplies including food, water, medicine, clothes, and other vital items — in your home, office, and car.
Also wise: Settle with family members ahead of time where you’re going to go if a bad storm hits. And if you think you might need flood insurance, shop before you hear a scary weather forecast. It takes 30 days for a flood policy to take effect.
View podcast Q&A: How to prepare for hurricane season
Learn more
- Hurricane season: How to prepare your home and property
- Flood insurance: Why you need a policy
- Before the storm
- Texas Ready disaster supply checklist
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