The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association provides wind and hail coverage across Mississippi's 6 coastal counties — the same zone devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Post-Katrina reforms expanded MWUA's capacity, but understanding how it works is critical for any Gulf Coast Mississippi homeowner.
Get Free Roof Inspection →The Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA) is Mississippi's residual market insurer for wind and hail coverage in 6 designated coastal counties. It was created by the Mississippi Legislature to ensure Gulf Coast homeowners have access to wind and hail coverage when private insurers exclude it. All insurers writing property coverage in Mississippi are required to participate in MWUA proportionally.
George · Hancock · Harrison · Jackson · Pearl River · Stone
Harrison County (Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach) and Hancock County (Bay St. Louis, Waveland) face the most severe wind exposure on Mississippi's coast — 150+ mph design wind speeds apply along the shoreline. Jackson County (Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Gautier) faces similar exposure along its bayfront and barrier island areas.
After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of Mississippi homeowners discovered their MWUA wind policy covered wind damage but that their insurer attributed nearly all damage to flood — which was not covered by MWUA. Carrying both MWUA wind coverage and NFIP or private flood coverage is the only complete protection against this dispute.
Hurricane Katrina exposed critical gaps in MWUA's pre-2005 structure. The storm generated an unprecedented volume of claims and triggered massive litigation over wind vs. flood causation. Post-Katrina legislative reforms accomplished several things: dramatically expanded MWUA's maximum coverage limits, improved access to reinsurance to handle catastrophic events, created clearer claims dispute procedures, and established stronger consumer protections in the claims process.
The reforms also led to the concept of the "concurrent causation" doctrine being tested extensively in Mississippi courts — cases that established important precedents for how wind and flood damage must be separated and assessed by adjusters.
MWUA covers direct physical loss from wind and hail. Coverage is available for dwellings, commercial structures, and their contents. MWUA does not cover flood, storm surge, fire, liability, or other standard homeowners policy perils. Mississippi Gulf Coast homeowners need MWUA (wind), a standard homeowners policy (fire/liability), and a flood policy (surge/flood) for complete coverage.
MWUA policies carry a windstorm deductible — typically a percentage of insured dwelling value for named storms, with a flat deductible for other wind events. Review your declarations page to confirm deductible type and amount.
A free inspection documents storm damage and helps you build a MWUA claim with licensed contractor estimates.
Get Free Inspection →Complete guide to storm roof damage, MWUA claims, and licensed roofers across Mississippi's 6 coastal counties.
How windstorm coverage works across all 13 Gulf and Atlantic states, including all wind pool details.
What percentage-based wind deductibles mean in real dollars for Mississippi Gulf Coast homeowners.
How your MWUA policy's settlement basis affects your payout after a hurricane roof claim.
2026 cost ranges for all 13 coastal states including Mississippi Gulf Coast post-storm surge pricing.
How Alabama's coastal wind pool works for Mobile and Baldwin County homeowners.