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Windstorm certification explainedTDI Windstorm & WPI-8 Certification, Explained
What the Texas Department of Insurance windstorm program means for hurricane shutters on Cameron County buildings.
What a WPI-8 is and why it matters
On the Texas coast, wind and hail insurance through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) depends on windstorm compliance. When a TDI inspector or an appointed Texas licensed professional engineer approves all inspections, TDI issues a WPI-8 Certificate of Compliance. A WPI-8 is required for the building to be eligible for wind and hail coverage through TWIA (TDI — windstorm inspection process).
To be eligible for a TWIA policy, coastal properties must be certified as meeting the windstorm building code requirements in their area (TWIA).
How windstorm certification works
Choose evaluated products
Shutters and impact windows come from TDI product evaluations (TDI).
Plan the inspections
Inspections are scheduled with TDI or an appointed engineer before and during the work.
Install to the evaluation
Fasteners, anchors and spacing follow the product evaluation for your wall type.
Inspection
The inspector or engineer checks the installation.
WPI-8 issued
TDI issues the Certificate of Compliance once all inspections are approved.
Send it on
Give the certificate to your insurance agent or TWIA.
Shutters and windstorm compliance
Protect every opening
Windborne-debris protection covers glazed openings — windows, glass doors and skylights.
Labels & paperwork
Keep product labels and installation documents for the inspector.
Repairs count too
Repairs and replacements on the coast can also need inspection.
Ask early
Bring windstorm requirements into the quote, not after the install.
Shutters with the paperwork to back them up
Free quote — evaluated products and inspection-ready installs.
Why Cameron County homes add shutters
The record from NOAA and the National Weather Service in Brownsville.
June 1 – Nov 30
The Atlantic hurricane season (NOAA NHC).
Dolly, 2008
Landfall on South Padre Island on July 23, 2008; gusts near or above 100 mph (NWS Brownsville).
Beulah, 1967
Landfall near the mouth of the Rio Grande on September 20, 1967 — still the storm of record for longtime Valley residents (NWS Brownsville).
Hanna, 2020
Hurricane watches, warnings and heavy flooding across the Rio Grande Valley in July 2020 (NWS Brownsville).
TDI windstorm FAQ
What is a WPI-8?
A WPI-8 Certificate of Compliance is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance after a TDI inspector or an appointed Texas licensed professional engineer approves the inspections. A WPI-8 is required for the building to be eligible for wind and hail coverage through TWIA (TDI — windstorm inspection process).
Who performs windstorm inspections?
A TDI inspector or an appointed Texas licensed professional engineer must inspect construction and repair work (TDI).
Does adding shutters need an inspection?
Opening protection is part of the building’s windstorm compliance; ask before installation so inspections happen at the right stages.
Where do I find approved shutter products?
TDI publishes product evaluations for shutters on its Windstorm System; inspectors use them to confirm a product was evaluated to the required standards (TDI).
How do I get a copy of my WPI-8?
Certificates can be looked up online; TWIA also explains windstorm certification for policyholders (TWIA).
Get your hurricane shutter quote in Brownsville & Cameron County
Tell us about your home or business, the openings you want protected and your timing. We follow up to talk through shutter types, windstorm paperwork and a realistic budget.
- Share the basics — home or business, number of windows and doors, timing.
- Get a call back — to compare accordion, roll-down, panels and impact glass.
- Plan the install — measurements, windstorm inspection and a written proposal.