TWIA approved the interim policy in response to requests from Insurance Commissioner Elton Bomer and coastal legislators. Because of state notice and hearing requirements, and other considerations, it probably will be two to three months before TWIA can offer the optional endorsement. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30. Most property insurance policies, including those issued by the TWIA, do not cover the added cost of conforming a structure to building code changes enacted since it was built. As such, TWIA provides wind and hail coverage when insurance companies exclude it from homeowners and other property policies sold to coastal residents.
Building products meeting the new standards are now available to the builders.
TDI regularly issues lists of acceptable building products to more than 700 individual builders along the coast and to their local associations. For example, more than a dozen door products and a dozen window products meet the highest standard for impact resistance. The new standards for wind-resistant construction are based on current technology and reflect lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The standards replace those established in the early 1970s, based on the technology of that era. The code is subject to continuous review and may be changed whenever necessary.