Government
BY JAKE MAGEE
Bill aims to make insurance affordable for coastal residents
The takeaway
Paul said he worked to pass HB 998 on behalf of residents who can’t acquire affordable windstorm and property insurance. Originally, Doss and her neighbors wanted to expand the boundaries of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to make Natchez Landing eligible for the government-subsidized insurance. Its boundaries encompass the entirety of several counties along the Gulf Coast but, in Harris County, only the area east of Hwy. 146. However, Paul instead opted to push for changing the rules for the Texas Fair Plan Association—which also exists to provide more affordable insurance—to include condo associations within a few miles of the coast. This way, residents have more affordable insurance overall, not just for windstorms, Paul said. House Bill 998: • Was signed into law effective Sept. 1 but will not take effect until Sept. 1, 2024, to allow changes to be phased in • Makes condo associations eligible for insurance from the Texas Fair Plan Association, which exists to provide insurance to property owners who are denied coverage from at least two private insurance companies • Applies to condo associations within 10 miles of the boundaries of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. TWIA boundaries include the entirety of several Gulf Coast counties but only properties east of Hwy. 146 in Harris County
insurance are divided up among each unit in the form of monthly dues, she said. On top of the price increase, Natchez Landing was denied by over 30 insurers before association officials found an insurer, she said. Now, due to House Bill 998, beginning Sept. 1, 2024, residents at Natchez Landing and other condo and townhome associations will likely see large savings, said Doss and state Rep. Dennis Paul, R-Houston, who authored the bill.
Just over a year after Clear Lake residents voiced concerns about skyrocketing windstorm insurance costs, legislators passed a new law that will make such costs more affordable for certain people living along the coast. In 2022, Debra Doss of Natchez Landing, a 108-unit condominium complex along Clear Lake in Seabrook, said the condo association’s windstorm insurance about doubled from the previous year. The costs for windstorm
Natchez Landing insurance cost
Rising cost Due to inflation and the risk associated with insuring coastal properties, Natchez Landing’s windstorm and property insurance is expected to increase 25% in December.
$312.6K*
$0 $100K $200K $300K $400K
$99K
*PROJECTED
SOURCES: NATCHEZ LANDING, DEBRA DOSS/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
2020-21
2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
Year
What they're saying
“I wanted to help these people because they’re struggling. They want to be insured.” DENNIS PAUL, R-HOUSTON, STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 129
“If it wasn’t for [Paul], we would still be working to try to figure something out.” DEBRA DOSS, NATCHEZ LANDING RESIDENT
SOURCES: STATE REP. DENNIS PAUL, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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