The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) is a pool of property and casualty insurance companies that are authorized to sell insurance in Texas.
The association was founded after a devastating hurricane struck near Corpus Christi in 1970.
The TWIA provides windstorm coverage for Texas county's where most insurance companies are not willing to offer windstorm coverage because of the huge risk potential.
Hurricane IKE is a recent example of the need for the windstorm association; TWIA payouts from this one storm are estimated to be over 2 billion dollars.
TWIA offers insurance for residential, commercial, and government buildings.
Content coverage is also available.
The coverage limit for residential homes is $1,663,000, and for commercial and government property the limit is $4,000,000.
County's eligible for Texas Windstorm Insurance includes 14 counts along the gulf coast.
These are Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Harris (Partial), Jefferson, Kennedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, and Willacy.
The association doesn't sell coverage directly so you get it form an agent that is approved by the association.
The cost depends on how much insurance you get, the deductible you select, location, and other rating factors.
Rates are regulated by the association so the premium should be the same for all sellers.
You will need to have a separate policy with a different carrier for your hazard policy (fire and other risks).
If you are getting a windstorm policy here are some suggestions:

• Deal with an agent that is experienced with the program.
  
• Have coverage's and options explained.
  
• Insure the property for the full replacement cost which is often higher than the county appraisal value.
  
• Rising water is not covered by a windstorm or typical hazard policy.
  A separate flood policy is advisable.