Texas Lawmaker Urges Extension of Wind Insurance Inspection Waiver

A Texas lawmaker says thousands of coastal residents could lose their windstorm insurance coverage if the Legislature doesn’t extend a program that provides waivers for those who have been nonrenewed for coverage by a private insurer.

Republican state Sen. Larry Taylor of Friendswood has introduced a bill that would extend beyond a 2016 expiration the building code inspection exemption provided to dropped homeowners in order to be covered by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

The Galveston County Daily News reports that more than 40,000 Texas coastal residents would lose their windstorm coverage if the measure isn’t passed.

But passage is not assured. In the past, the waiver program has received approval only after the two-year expiration date was added. Opponents of the waiver believe all homeowners to be protected should pass inspection.

In a December report, the association recommended that lawmakers extend the exemption only until the end of 2017 for homes valued at no more than $200,000. The association said the extension would give homeowners time to make needed improvements to roofs, siding and windows.

Otie Zapp, chairman of the Coastal Windstorm Insurance Coalition, said inspections that would be required if not for the exemption could mean tearing out of drywall or ripping material near foundations at a cost to homeowners of thousands of dollars. The mere fact that the homes had been insured previously by major insurance companies should be enough to satisfy the state for coverage by the Windstorm Insurance Association, Zapp said.

The association also recommended legislation to require all new construction or repairs in coastal areas to follow windstorm inspection requirements.

Topics Texas Legislation Homeowners