Cameron and Willacy County
Windstorm Certificates in Cameron and Willacy County: What Homeowners Need to Know
Written by Henry Amar, owner of Texas Contractors, Inc., roofing in the Valley since 2005.
Living close to the coast is one of the best parts of the Valley. It also means your roof has to follow rules most people in Texas never have to think about.
We get it. The codes are hard to read, the forms have names like WPI-1 and WPI-8, and every city seems to do things a little differently. You just want a roofer who knows what they are doing and gets it right the first time. That is what we are here for.
What is a windstorm certificate?
Cameron County and Willacy County are part of what the state calls the coastal "catastrophe area." That includes Brownsville, Harlingen, San Benito, Los Fresnos, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Raymondville and the towns around them.
In these counties, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has building rules for roofs, so they hold up better in high winds. When a new roof is installed the right way and inspected, the state issues a Certificate of Compliance, called a WPI-8. Most people just call it a windstorm certificate.
Why your insurance cares
If your wind and hail coverage is through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), your roof needs that certificate to qualify. Other insurance companies and mortgage lenders may ask for it too.
Paid off your home? You may not be required to have one. But think ahead. If you sell, refinance or change insurance, the next person is likely to ask for it. It is a lot easier to get it done during the job than to try to fix it later.
Buying a home in Cameron County? Look up the roof's certificate on TDI's website before you close.
What changed in 2026
On April 1, 2026, TDI moved to a newer building code. For certified roofs in the coastal counties, the layer under your shingles now has to be one of these:
- Two layers of underlayment, with ice and water shield over the seams in the roof deck, or
- One full layer of ice and water shield over the whole roof deck.
Many homeowners, and even some roofers, do not know this yet.
How it works when you hire us
- Before the job starts, our engineer files the paperwork with TDI. This has to happen before work begins.
- During the job, the engineer inspects the work before the shingles cover it up.
- After the job, the engineer reports it straight to TDI. You do not have to mail anything or chase a piece of paper.
- Your certificate goes on the state's records. You, your insurance company or a future buyer can look it up by address on TDI's website.
- The engineer's fee is included in your price when we quote the job.
What about small repairs?
Small roof repairs under 100 square feet, with no decking work, usually do not need a windstorm inspection. Roof replacements and bigger repairs do.
The closer to the water, the stricter the rules
South Padre Island and Port Isabel sit right on the coast, and the rules there are stricter. We work on the Island and in Port Isabel, and we know what it takes.
Permits
Every city has its own permit rules, and nobody memorizes all of them. So we do the homework for your address before the job starts. If your city requires a permit, we pull it. Either way, your roof gets installed to code.
Questions to ask any roofer in Cameron County
Whoever you hire, ask these four questions first:
- Will you file the windstorm paperwork before the job starts?
- Will an engineer inspect the work before the shingles go on?
- Are you following the 2026 underlayment rules?
- Will you pull the permit if my city requires one?
A good roofer will say yes to all four without having to think about it.
Do not wait for a storm
Hurricane season runs June through November. Don't wait for a storm in the Gulf to find out your roof isn't certified.
Questions? We are happy to walk you through it.
Texas Contractors, Inc. is General Liability Insured and a CertainTeed ShingleMaster Certified Installer.
Call Henry or Jacob at (956) 221-6300 for a free inspection. It takes about an hour, and we will tell you exactly what your roof needs.
Sources: Texas Department of Insurance, Windstorm Inspection Program | Texas Department of Insurance, Do you need a windstorm inspection?
This page is general information, not legal or insurance advice. Rules can change. Always check with your insurance company and your city for your home's exact requirements.