Fighting for Safer Auto Repairs
The fight for safety took a major step forward yesterday.
Accountability
Arbitration Alert: Call Your Senators Now!
The U.S. Senate is likely to vote as soon as today or tomorrow on whether to roll back important financial protections for consumers and servicemembers.
The rule, rolled out by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau this summer, banned forced arbitration provisions in financial contracts that prevent harmed consumers from banding together in court. This allows consumers to hold wrongdoers fully accountable. But, due to pressure from big bank lobbyists, the new rule may be in jeopardy.
The Rundown: 10/20/17
Statement on Don Willett
For immediate release
Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett is being nominated for a spot on the federal 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell released the following statement:
Episode 19: Consumer Scandals and the #RipOffClause
Wells Fargo. Equifax. Recent consumer scandals have brought to light important questions of how we could have prevented millions of consumers from being put at financial risk. Enter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which announced a rule this summer to ban forced arbitration provisions in financial contracts that prevent harmed consumers from banding together in court. This allows consumers to hold wrongdoers fully accountable in court. But, the new rule may be in jeopardy.
Valid Concerns on Valid Claims
The threat to property owners filing insurance claims in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is real. Earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed HB 1774, which reduces incentives for insurance companies to pay claims on time and in full. More aptly referred to as the Blue Tarp Bill, the legislation prolongs the rebuilding process for communities and keeps blue tarps on roofs longer.
Harvey FAQs
Texas has suffered a heavy blow from Hurricane Harvey. This disaster will continue to unfold in the weeks and months ahead as Texans try to put their lives back together and rebuild. Laws pushed by the insurance industry through the years will make this process very difficult. Too often, insurance companies deny, delay, and underpay valid claims in an effort to pad their profits. Dangerous and misguided laws in Texas strengthen the hand of insurance companies even more in property damage disputes.
Press Statement on Request for TDI Investigation into Insurance Industry’s Auto Repair Practices
For Immediate Release
Texas Watch requested Thursday that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) investigate the insurance industry’s corner cutting automobile repairs. The request urges TDI to take vigorous enforcement action to discourage the practice and uphold the agency’s statutory duty to “protect and ensure the fair treatment of consumers.”
Deputy Director Tori Sommerman released the following statement:
Texas Watch Requests TDI Investigation into Insurance Industry’s Auto Repair Practices
In light of recent reporting (here, here, and here) on the insurance industry’s corner cutting on automobile repairs, Texas Watch has requested
Episode 18: National Bill Puts #RightsAtRisk
In 2003, Texas passed radical medical malpractice laws under the guise of "improving patient access to care" and "improving medical care: by reducing purportedly "burdensome lawsuits." Fourteen years later, these promises have not been kept, and patients, their families, and taxpayers have paid the price.