With hurricane season fast approaching and the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) the largest insurer of coastal property in Texas, now is the time to address one of the most common questions I receive from clients and public adjusters. This blog has previously addressed how the TWIA statute works in Texas and the dual paths … Continue Reading
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) Board of Directors voted to increase rates for 2019 by 10% at the July 31st Board Meeting.1 TWIA then reported the proposed rate increase to the Texas Department of Insurance and the Commissioner of Insurance must approve the rate. The rate increase would go into effect for all policies … Continue Reading
Last week at the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjuster (TAPIA) Fall Conference, Rene Sigman made the most dramatic speech ever at a public adjuster conference—and did it twice in one day. She stood up to a Texas politician railing about his constituents being harmed by bad laws and bad faith insurance companies. She called … Continue Reading
Hurricane Harvey victims along the Gulf Coast continue to fight for proper claims treatment from Texas Windstorm Insurance Association—better known as TWIA. On August 27, 2018, KPRC Channel 2 News Houston profiled the ongoing problems property owners are facing with their TWIA claims. KPRC Channel 2 News Houston interviewed me as part of its ongoing … Continue Reading
Those affected by Hurricane Harvey may recall the massive and widespread flooding, tornado bursts, and extreme wind speeds reaching 130 mph or higher. To many, it is an overwhelming and still very present memory. Were you affected by Harvey? Hurricane Harvey hit Texas on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 hurricane and caused widespread … Continue Reading
TWIA (short for Texas Windstorm Insurance Association), frequently referred to as the Texas windstorm insurance carrier of last resort, just can’t seem to get this insurance claims handling thing right. A conclusion quite alarming considering that insurance claims handling is one of the primary functions of its business. At this point many are left wondering … Continue Reading
On April 18, 2018, the Texas Commissioner of Insurance issued Order No. 2018-5463, extending the deadline for a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policyholder to demand appraisal on their Hurricane Harvey claim. Harvey made landfall in Texas and affected several parts of the Greater Houston area as well as several coastal areas from August 25 … Continue Reading
According to TWIA’s website, as of November 15, 2017, TWIA has received 72,902 claims related to Hurricane Harvey. So, what happens next? Many of TWIA’s policies, procedures and deadlines are different from that of a typical homeowner’s policy. Thus, it is imperative you read your policy to ensure no deadlines are missed. Below are important … Continue Reading
Rene Sigman is co-chairing an important Hurricane Harvey seminar today discussing all the Hurricane Harvey issues. Yours truly is on a panel discussing how Hurricane Harvey differs from other hurricane litigation, but there is one similarity even worse. . .TWIA is again on the warpath against its own customers.… Continue Reading
A few weeks ago, I wrote about State Representative John Smithee’s letter to Texas Department of Insurance (“TDI”) Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman, in which he expressed his concerns over the solvency of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”). Rep. Smithee, along with insurance professional David Crump, assessed data showing that TWIA would be unable to pay … Continue Reading
In today’s post, I bring you news about the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association’s (TWIA) financial troubles as well as an updated figure of the damage caused by the hail storms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.… Continue Reading
At last Thursday’s Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters Spring Conference, a public adjuster asked me about the recent changes to Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policies. I found this summary on TWIA’s website, and thought it might be helpful for everyone to see.… Continue Reading
You know it’s bad when your boss tells you that you need to improve your job performance, but you know it’s really bad when your boss tells you that the way you do your job is unsustainable. And that’s exactly what Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman said about the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).… Continue Reading
Earlier I wrote a post about the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”) considering raising rates by 5%. Well, TWIA made it official: rates will go up 5% next year for thousands of homeowners covered by the state’s storm insurer of last resort.… Continue Reading
On Friday, July 15, 2011, the Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner issued a ruling stating that the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) had “violated the insurance laws of the State of Texas….” Specifically, the Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner found that TWIA violated state law by deceiving and taking advantage of TWIA policyholders after thousands … Continue Reading
Before the end of the last Texas legislative session, the Texas legislature ended their Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) reform stalemate and passed a comprehensive reform bill it hopes will better prepare TWIA for future catastrophes. The bill was sent to the governor, but he has yet to sign it.… Continue Reading
Aside from protecting policyholders’ rights against their insurance companies, Merlin Law Group also monitors bills that may affect your rights as a policyholder.… Continue Reading
Last Friday, the Houston Chronicle reported that Texas Governor Rick Perry has added the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to the agenda of concerns to be addressed at the special legislative session. … Continue Reading
A special hearing has been set this Friday regarding Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) Hurricane Ike litigation following TWIA being placed under administrative oversight. The Texas Department of Insurance has the power to place TWIA under its control during a time of crisis. Apparently, new information provided to the Department of Insurance lead to the finding … Continue Reading
Texas Judge Susan Criss signed an Order this morning approving the settlement of the slabbed cases from Hurricane Ike. She made the following findings: 4. The Court finds that the Settlement was negotiated at arm’s length by Plaintiffs’ counsel and TWIA’s counsel. The Settlement is reasonable in light of the uncertainty as to whether the Class … Continue Reading
Dan Luby, of the Florida Insurance News, does a fantastic job tracking down timely articles involving insurance. He linked Taylor Heads to Supreme Court to Get TWIA Documents, which involves a Texas legislator trying to obtain confidential resolutions and settlement information from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).… Continue Reading
The Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula slab cases are settling. There was an agreement between the Texas attorneys that nothing would come out in the press until the clients signed the agreements. Since even the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) participated with a press release, I assume that the gentlemen’s confidentiality agreement to wait on … Continue Reading
One of my TWIA slab case clients was very happy about the proposed resolution of her claim. Her tone changed when she mentioned that TWIA raising rates five percent. I have often felt that our elected leaders are in a no-win situation when the people electing them to office hold a noose over their neck … Continue Reading
The Texas hurricane insurance coverage disputes caused by Hurricane Dolly and Hurricane Ike are fully engaged. Texas’ two year statutes of limitation are approaching. New law suits are being filed, pending lawsuits are being set for trial, settlement conferences are causing great frustration, and the discovery battles between insurance counsel and policyholder counsel are considerable … Continue Reading