The Commissioner of Insurance, in a hearing held on October 26, 1998, approved for adoption a new rule, 28 TAC §5.4604, (Commissioner Order No. 98-1311) providing a formal process for Texas Licensed Professional Engineers to be approved and appointed as qualified Windstorm Inspectors.
Effective February 1, 1999, all Texas Licensed Professional Engineers must be approved and appointed by the Commissioner of Insurance in order to inspect and notify compliance of structures for evidence of insurability for windstorm and hail insurance coverage through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Until February 1, 1999, an engineer may continue to inspect and notify compliance of structures under existing rules without being formally appointed by the Commissioner.
Engineers currently submitting notifications of compliance of structures to the Texas Department of Insurance will be receiving information regarding the new appointment process. Engineers should complete the application form and submit the completed form to the Department for processing. Notice of the appointment of engineers as qualified inspectors will be distributed to all interested parties and future updates will be issued on a regular basis.
In addition to engineers being available as qualified inspectors, the Texas Department of Insurance Windstorm Inspection staff will continue to be available to inspect structures to ensure compliance with the new Building Code for Windstorm Resistant Construction and the Windstorm Resistant Construction Guide.
Please contact Mr. Billy Guerin at 512-322-2212 for specific questions regarding the application process or to obtain additional application forms for appointment as a qualified inspector.
Alexis Dick
Deputy Commissioner
Inspections Group, MC 103-1A