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What Is WPI-8 ?
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WPI-8 is the certificate of compliance that is required upon completion of coastal home construction or re-contruction, which certifies a home as insurable for windstorm coverage with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
Because of the close proximity to bay and beach, and its inherent higher risk due to exposure to tropical storms and hurricane force winds, that this type of insurance is necessary. It is necessary in Harris County, Galveston County and any coastal county to call Windstorm prior to any type of home construction or repairs. If you fail to call it could cost you much more in the near future.
It is very important to call a contractor that is very knowledgable of the Winstorm guidelines and the procedures he must follow to get your home insured after the construction or repairs. Unfortunately many people fall victum to cheap prices and unqualified work of unexperienced companies, crews or individuals that claim the are contractors during disasters.
When repairing or building your home on coastal areas, special construction qualifications are required and must be met. Windstorm or a Windstorm certified engineer must inspect each phase of the construction to make sure it meets Windstorm guidelines. Your engineer must be TDI (Texas Department Of Insurance) approved.
All construction and/or repairs must be made according to the current codes set forth by your local city, the engineer and TDI. If they are not met during construction you could experience costly repairs further down the road.
Many homes in the Galveston and Houston areas were not certified or inspected by Winstrom or a TDI approved engineer and now must comply in order to be insured. This reason some homes have not qualified is mainly because someone did not follow the proper procedure. This could be the fault of your contractor or maybe even you.
When you filed a claim with your insurance, you were sent an estimate of the repairs for your home and what needed to be repaired. The contractor or you must call Windstorm or a TDI approved engineer prior to construction. If Windstorm was not called prior to construction, you must then call a TDI (Texas Department Of Insurance) certified engineer to inspect the work and to see if they can then try to verify that your construction was done per Winstrom guidelines. If not, then you may need to re-do the repairs not completed correctly.
The below steps must be followed to secure a WPI-8:
Thoughout the construction phase, inspections must be done at each step of the construction repairs. Hurricane straps, bolts, piling, piers, bracing, approved windows and doors are just a small part of meeting the requirements of TDI. If these guidelines are not followed your home will not be insurable for Windstorm Insurance.
If you need assistance obtaining a Houston WPI-8 or a Galveston WPI-8 and have been denied Insurance coverage we can help. Contact us below.
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