Tag: Texas department of insurance

Homeowners insurance in Dallas more expensive at State Farm than competition

G. Turner
Texas Homeowners Insurance

A recent analysis has revealed that the insurer is charging more for coverage of homes in the area than its rivals. According to the results of an analysis that was just conducted and that involved data regarding the premiums of 32 different homeowners insurance companies in the Dallas areas, State farm – the largest property insurer in Texas – is continuing to charge the highest rates, by a long shot. In fact, the latest figures are showing that the next most expensive are nowhere near as high. The study took…

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Texas Department of Insurance warns of rate hikes

Highest property insurance rates in the United States found in Texas

Texas Department of Insurance predicts rate hikes for 2013 Thousands of Texans are expected to see significant rate hikes for their health insurance coverage this year, largely due to the Affordable Care Act. The Texas Department of Insurance expects that more than 163,000 consumers throughout the state will see double-digit increases in their premiums due to the provisions of the federal health care law. The law does not go into full effect until 2014, but several of its provisions will be enacted this year in an effort to ease the…

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Texas Windstorm Insurance Association at the heart of new controversy

S.Vagus
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association

Email about Texas Windstorm Insurance Association sparks turmoil There is turmoil in Texas after an internal email from the state’s Department of Insurance suggests that property insurance rates may be on the rise. According to the email, which comes from Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman, the agency is weighing its options with the beleaguered Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and may be looking to raise rates on properties along the Gulf Coast to help remedy the organization’s financial troubles. The email has raised concerns amongst consumers, advocacy groups, private insurance companies, and…

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Texas Department of Insurance targeted by critics over blocking of emails

S.Vagus
Texas Insurance

Agency blocks thousands of messages from consumers The Texas Department of Insurance has received hundreds of letters from consumers concerning the rates of homeowners insurance policies. The emails have been coming in since early July, with a total of 334 messages making their way to Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman. The rest of the emails have been blocked, with many of the addresses sending the messages being blacklisted by the agency in an effort to reduce the number of messages being received. The blocking of these addresses has caused some controversy…

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Dallas-Fort Worth tornadoes spur concerns of insurance premiums

Report on Dallas tornado insurance claims Several powerful tornadoes cut a swath of destruction in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas this week. The tornadoes caused a significant amount of damage to homes and businesses in the area but no death has been reported thus far. Claims adjusters have been streaming into the state from companies like Nationwide and Allied Insurance to help process the claims generated by the disaster. Insurers and state officials are encouraging all those that have storm-related claims to get in touch with an agent and…

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Texas insurance regulators looking to restructure state’s Windstorm Insurance Association

Marc

The Texas Department of Insurance is looking to restructure the state’s Windstorm Insurance Association. The state-run insurance group provides protection from wind damage, something that many of the state’s private insurance companies do not offer. Like similar organizations in other states, the Windstorm Insurance Association has fallen prey to mounting debt. Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman is now looking for approval from legislators to hire a private consultant to aid in the program’s restructuring. The program was originally meant to be a last resort for state residents who could not find…

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Texas petitions federal government to delay enactment of the medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act

Nordstrom

As some states seek exemptions from the controversial medical loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act, Texas officials are looking to the enacted of the plan delayed. The provision requires insurance companies to spend at least 80% of the money they collect from premiums on improving medical care. Insurers have been opposed to the provision since it was passed in 2010, arguing that it would hurt their ability to stay competitive in the market. Federal regulators have, thus far, been unwilling to cave to the concerns of insurers. State…

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