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• <br />Catpool Q & A <br />Page 2 <br />Question: Will the Catpool take care of all of my homeowner insurance needs? <br />Answer: Catpool is limited to only wind and hail damage. <br />Question: Does my house or ofTice building require any inspections to qualify for the <br />Catpool? <br />Answer: In counties that are covered by the Catpool, all homes, offices, apartments or <br />other buildings constructed, repaired or added to after Jan. 1, 1988, must have <br />been inspected and found to be in compliance with standards for wind-resistant• <br />construction. Older structures continue to be eligible for insurance coverage <br />through the Catpool as long as any repairs or remodeling are inspected and <br />have been certified. <br />Question: What counties are the largest participants in the Catpool? <br />Answer: Galveston and Nueces county residents claim nearly 70% of the policies. <br />Question: If a hurricane hit the Texas. coast, where will the money come from for insured <br />repairs? <br />Answer: The Catpool will pay the first $100 million in claims with assessments of <br />participating property insurance companies. The Catastrophe Reserve Fund <br />would then be tapped for funds to pay additional claims. Only after the reserve <br />is exhausted would the Catpool assess the insurance companies for more <br />money. If fixrther assessments exceeded $200 million, companies could recoup <br />these additional amounts through state tax credits. <br />Question: Has the Catpool ever been seriously put to the test? <br />Answer: Hurricane Alicia in 1983 resulted in approximately 17,500 claims and $155 <br />million in losses, while Hurricane Allen in 1980 resulted in 4,400 claims <br />totaling $14 million. <br />Question: I've got a lot more questions than are on this sheet of paper, where do I turn? <br />Answer: You should contact your local insurance agent or call the Texas Department of <br />Insurance at 1-512-463-6169 and ask for the Wind Pool Operation. The Texas <br />Department of Insurance also has two brochures which address a number of <br />questions concerning the Catpool. They are the Windstorm Inspection <br />Program brochure and the Catpool Claims brochure. You can order both by <br />calling 1-800-599-SHOP. <br />