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In the News: Insurance Crisis Hurting Texans

We have been updating you throughout the year on the insurance crisis gripping our state and our nation. Insurance companies have hiked our rates beyond all recognition while slashing our coverage. Recent reporting from around the state digs into the crisis.

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In the News: Laura Beil on Patient Safety in Texas Monthly

Leading healthcare journalist Laura Beil, the creator of the Dr. Death podcast, is back with another blockbuster patient safety piece in Texas Monthly. The article, entitled It Should Have Been a Routine Procedure, tells the story of Kimberly Ray, a young mother who tragically lost her life in a North Texas surgical center.

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Split image showing an "INSURANCE POLICY" document, one with a white background and black text, the other inverse.

In the News: "Forced Bundling" Hurts Policyholders

Consumer reporter Diana Zoga with NBC 5 in DFW has broken the story of a major insurance company telling a consumer they would have to purchase auto insurance to keep their homeowners insurance coverage. This "forced bundling" hurts consumers by limiting their choices. We stated in the article, "Any insurance company scheme that requires us to buy two policies from them is anti-consumer."

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In the News: Fight between business and safety at the Capitol

Matt Grant, investigative reporter with KXAN, and his team recently explored a fight brewing at the Texas Capitol between corporate lobbyists and Texans in harm's way on our roads. His deeply-reported piece profiled Jay Rosenberg, who lost his wife and daughter to a dangerous truck in 2018. Mr. Rosenberg opposed efforts in 2021 to restrict the rights of victims of commercial vehicle crashes. He continues to courageously push for real safety reforms that would save lives.

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Close-up of an insurance document with the word "INSURANCE" in bold and a pen lying on top. A notebook is partially visible in the background.

Insurance Recommendations Submitted to the Texas Legislature

Texas is suffering an insurance crisis of the insurance industry's making.

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Texas State Capitol dome with Texas flag and text 'TEXAS WATCH AT THE CAPITOL.'

Written Testimony Submitted to the Texas Legislature on Insurance Reform

The Texas Legislature is grappling with how to address sky-high homeowners and auto insurance rates. Recent hearings in the Senate Business and Commerce Committee and House State Affairs Committee have shown the need for real insurance reform that keeps insurance companies from taking advantage of Texas families.

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Close-up of a home insurance document on a clipboard with a pen attached.

In the News: State lawmakers look at rising homeowners insurance costs

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in Diana Zoga's story about a recent Texas House Committee on State Affairs hearing on the rising cost of homeowners insurance in Texas.

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Close-up of a homeowners insurance policy document with a hand holding a pen.

In the News: Many insurance companies are raising their homeowners’ deductibles from 1% to 2%

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was recently in Dave Lieber's story about rising deductibles in the homeowner's insurance market.

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Highway scene with an electronic billboard displaying 'Hurricane Season is Here, Be Prepared.'

Tips to help Consumers Get Fair Insurance Treatment After Hurricane Beryl

Texas Watch joined the Consumer Federation of America and Texas Appleseed in compiling a list of tips consumers can use in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.

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Wooden house cutout on an insurance document with a pen and money.

In the News: More Texas homeowners see double-digit insurance rate hikes as disaster costs pile up

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in Scott Friedman, Eva Parks, Edward Ayala, and Frank Heinz's recent story on the rise of insurance premiums in Texas -- following double digit rate increase by insurance companies -- and what Texans need to do to get the lowest rate possible.

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In the News: Insurance discounts for safe driving offered by big companies? Here’s what I learned

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in Dave Lieber's recent story on how auto insurance companies are buying or capturing driving data from apps to "score" us and determine a consumer's premium. 

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Dramatic storm clouds fill the sky with varying shades of gray.

In the News: States beg insurers not to drop climate-threatened homes

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in Alex Brown's recent story on the insurance crisis unfolding at the state level and what needs to be done to rein in the soaring cost of home insurance.

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Flood insurance policy

In the News: Liberty County family shares warning after insurance denied their flood claim

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in ABC 13 reporter Nick Natario's recent story on what homeowners should be on the lookout for when buying flood insurance policy and what to do if your claim is denied.

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In the News: How consumers can navigate insurance claims after storms

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in NBC 5 DFW reporter Diana Zoga's recent story on what homeowners can do to help navigate insurance claims after the recent North Texas storms. 

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Car key on an insurance document with the word "INSURANCE" prominently displayed.

In the News: Texas car insurance premiums are soaring. Here's what's behind the spike — and what you can do

Madison Iszler, staff writer for the San Antonio-Express News, recently investigated the sky-high increase in auto insurance premiums in Texas. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, auto rates jumped over 25% last year, the highest increase in at least a decade and more than twice the national average. 

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Comments Submitted by Texas Watch to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary

The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing this week to investigate the effect of forced arbitration on American workers and families.

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In the News: USAA members injured in car wrecks battling San Antonio insurer over medical payments

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in San Antonio Express-News staff writer Patrick Danner's recent article on the struggle for USAA members to recover their medical payments after they've been injured in a car wreck.

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Unfinished interior with exposed studs and pipes; text reads 'Supreme Court Alert: Insurance' with 'Texas Watch' logo.

Supreme Court Alert: Insurance

A few days ago, the Supreme Court of Texas handed down a devastating decision that threatens every property owner in our state.

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Flooded urban area with overlaid text about insurance. Transcribed Text - INSURANCE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

#Insurance

The Houston Chronicle recently reported about the troubling trend of insurers raising homeowners insurance premiums and reducing coverage. The article is worth your time. We provide background information below to help you understand how we got here and how we can protect Texas families.

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Wooden framework of a house under construction against a clear blue sky.

IN THE NEWS: Once again, builders, contractors and remodelers fight to get more power

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was quoted in The Watchdog investigative columnist Dave Lieber's article in the Dallas Morning News. The article discussed HB 2022 and HB 2024, which relate to home construction complaints. Ware Wendell said, “In Texas, the builders already have the playing field tilted in their favor. Our concern is these bills are going to tilt it even more in the builders’ favor.”

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A collage of various people with text supporting Texas legislative bills SB 554, HB 1437, and HB 1321.

Consumers share stories about the need for #FairAppraisal and #SafeRepairs

Some insurance companies are trying to take the right to an appraisal for repair claims out of policies in Texas. If this happens, consumers will have no real options when it comes to resolving disputes with their insurance company. Fair auto appraisal, with protections built in to prevent delay tactics, can help you resolve disputes with your insurance company quickly, so you can get back on the road with the confidence your repair was done safely.

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A rooftop with bare branches in the foreground and a banner with the text "actual cash value vs. replacement cost."

IN THE NEWS: 5 tips when filing a homeowners insurance claim for storm damage

Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell was featured recently in investigative reporter Brian New's story, 5 tips when filing a homeowners claim for storm damage. After recent storm damage across Texas, it is important to have the best information when filing a homeowner's insurance claim. 

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Ware V. Wendell in front of the Texas Capitol

IN THE NEWS: ‘Dangerous to be old:’ How can Texas prevent abuse in long-term care facilities?

Austin investigative reporter Avery Travis recently published an article in KXAN called, "‘Dangerous to be old:’ How can Texas prevent abuse in long-term care facilities?

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