Premiums for home and auto insurance in Texas are rising at twice the national rate - some want to blame extreme weather events due to climate change for the increase. How inconvenient!

Rich Johnson, Communications Director for The Insurance Council of Texas, says weather has always been part of insurance pricing in Texas and that weather has always been a factor. There are a number of other things at work in this scenario.

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According to the Insurance Council of Texas, the amount of money you would get reimbursed for a stolen car depends on your type of insurance. You need to have a full police report before you can begin the process.

If you have comprehensive coverage, “your insurance company would estimate damage and you can send the car for an estimate at a body shop of your choosing. If the car is repairable, the insurance company would pay for the damages. If the car is determined to be ‘totaled’ then the insurance company would pay you the estimated value of the auto,” Insurance Council’s Director of Communications Richard Johnson said.

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With Christmas and New Year’s around the corner, the Insurance Council of Texas is providing Texas with tips to protect themselves, their homes and their vehicles this holiday season.

ICT reminds Texans that with an increase in festive activities, shopping, and package deliveries, it is essential to remain vigilant and implement preventive measures.

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The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) Board of Directors wrapped up its final quarterly meeting in Corpus Christi on Dec. 12. Key agenda items included approving the 2024 budget, projecting policy growth, and increasing written premiums. The board also discussed insurance agent commissions and the Automatic Adjusted Building Cost Endorsement and initiated the process for the 2024 reinsurance program. 

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Texas Workers' Compensation Commissioner Jeff Nelson has announced the appointment of Matthew Posey as DWC's new Deputy Commissioner of Operations and External Relations.

Matthew brings his significant legislative relations experience to this role, most recently as the Government Relations Manager for Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association. He previously served the state as a chief of staff in the Texas House of Representatives for more than 10 years under Representative David Cook and former Representative Bill Zedler. During his time in the Texas House, Matthew also served as a legislative director, assistant clerk for the Committee on Homeland and Public Safety, and clerk of House Transparency in State Agency Operations. He has also worked as the National Field Manager for Dr. Ben Carson’s presidential campaign.

DWC releases the 2021-2022 Biennial rates of Texas work-related injuries and illnesses involving days away from work, job transfer, or restrictions. The information helps employers, safety professionals, and policymakers identify workplace safety and health issues.

The report is on the TDI website.

DWC adopts changes to workers’ compensation rules in response to recent legislation involving members of Texas military forces. The changes include:

• Clarifying coverage for authorized travel by members of Texas military forces.
• Expedited claims for medical benefits.
• Expedited DWC dispute resolution for claims involving medical benefits.

More on the TDI website.

Michael Passman looks over the intersection at North Lamar Boulevard and St Johns Avenue. 

It’s a busy December morning as cyclists and pedestrians cross. The intersection is marked with a crosswalk and green-backed chevron which the City of Austin explained is used when bicycles and pedestrians share the same path.

Passman — who rides more than 100 miles a week — is familiar with the markings. 

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Commercial insurance buyers will likely see price increases for several lines of coverage next year, but with a stabilized reinsurance market and more capacity coming online, the hikes should be more moderate than in the past year, Alera Group said in a report Monday.

In its property/casualty market outlook, which is based on a survey of underwriters and wholesalers, the Deerfield, Illinois-based brokerage said commercial property and commercial auto insurance rates will likely increase the most next year, with projected rate hikes of 10% to 15%.

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