Before anyone cuts up a tree that hit your house, find out which policy covers wind. The Texas Department of Insurance says "If you live along the coast, your homeowners insurance might not cover wind and hail damage." So the claim for a wind-thrown tree may belong with a separate policy, and many people here get that from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). This page is general information from those two bodies, not advice on your policy. We are not insurance agents.
How the coverage is set up
Windstorm insurance "pays to repair or rebuild your house if it's damaged by hail or wind", the department says, and some people call it hurricane insurance. If you live near the coast and have a mortgage, it says your lender will likely require it.
TWIA describes itself as a not-for-profit insurer for property owners who cannot get wind and hail coverage in the regular market. Its designated area includes all 14 first-tier coastal counties, and Nueces is one of them, along with nearby San Patricio, Aransas and Kleberg. To qualify, an applicant must have been denied coverage by at least one authorized insurer, and the property generally has to carry a windstorm certificate and be in good repair. Flood is separate again: the weather service's 2026 hurricane guide points people to the National Flood Insurance Program for that.
Pull your declarations page now, while nothing is wrong. The guide warns that "New and existing policies will not be written or modified when a storm nears the Gulf of America."
What pays for the tree
| Where it landed | TWIA says, for its policies | TDI says, generally |
|---|---|---|
| On the house or another covered structure | "our policies allow us to pay to remove trees fallen on covered structures" | Damage from a falling tree is something many policies pay for. Confirm yours. |
| In the yard, nothing hit | Its policies do not allow it to pay for downed trees that did not fall onto covered structures. | Usually not covered. |
| From a neighbor's yard onto yours | Not addressed on that page. | Their policy will probably not pay "unless your neighbor was at fault". You can file under your own. |
| On your car | Not addressed on that page. | "Your auto policy will pay for damages if you have comprehensive coverage." |
Asked whether insurance pays when a tree crashes down, the department answers "Sometimes." It adds that many policies offer something toward removing storm-felled trees or limbs, so ask rather than assume. Fences vary too: TWIA lists fences under a separate miscellaneous category on its eligibility page, so check yours.
The plain consequence: a tree that dropped in the yard and hit nothing is very often your own bill. One that hit the house is the one to photograph carefully before it moves.
The order of things on a TWIA claim
- Protect the property. TWIA says "Make temporary repairs to protect your property. Save receipts."
- Photograph first. The department says to take photos before you move the tree or make repairs. Its storm page adds video and a written list of damage inside and out.
- Report it. TWIA takes reports by phone at (800) 788-8247, any hour, by text at (512) 645-2846, or through its portal. "Policyholders have one year from the date the property was damaged to report a TWIA claim." The hurricane guide says to give prompt written notice, so do not treat the year as a target.
- Hold off on the permanent work. TWIA says "Do not make any permanent repairs until you discuss your claim with a TWIA claims examiner", and not to dispose of damaged items before then.
If the tree has to come off the roof to stop more damage, photograph it in place and ask your examiner or agent how they want its removal documented. A home policy will have its own steps, so call that insurer and ask.
Roof repairs and the windstorm certificate
This is the coastal catch people miss, and it comes after the tree is gone. The department's inspection page says "roof replacements, major repairs, and other alterations require an inspection", and that a certificate of compliance is generally needed for a TWIA policy. The exception it names is "Roof repairs of less than 100 square feet that don't involve decking." A trunk through the roof may well involve decking. TWIA lists temporary repairs after a storm among work that needs no certificate.
The timing matters. A WPI-8 covers work still under way and comes from a department-appointed engineer or a department inspector. A WPI-8-E covers finished work and needs a Texas licensed engineer, and the department notes that can cost more because finished work is harder to inspect. So ask your roofer how the inspection will be handled before the roof is closed up. The department's windstorm program is at 800-248-6032.
Deductibles and people who offer to help
A contractor offering to swallow your deductible or rebate it is breaking the law, the department says, and your insurer may ask for proof you paid it. Treat that offer as a reason to call someone else. More is on the questions page.
Who to ask
Your agent first. Then the department's help line at 800-252-3439, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central, and TWIA at (800) 788-8247 if it holds your policy. Those are their numbers, not ours.
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Allow us to connect you to a local pro.
Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance, What is windstorm insurance? (updated June 1, 2026)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Eligibility Requirements
- National Weather Service Corpus Christi, 2026 South Texas Hurricane Guide (PDF)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Claims
- Texas Department of Insurance, Does insurance cover fallen tree branches? (January 24, 2026)
- Texas Department of Insurance, Hail damage to your home or car? What to do next (updated December 9, 2025; also covers strong winds)
- Texas Department of Insurance, What you need to know about windstorm inspections (updated May 8, 2026)
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Windstorm Certification
- Texas Department of Insurance, Do you know the signs of a contracting scam? (updated July 15, 2025)
Read on 2026-11-05. External pages can change.