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There were 2,079 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 475,677 in the last 365 days.

Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel Press Releases

66 Press Releases
  • Published on November 4, 2021 - 06:00 GMT

    Preventing Damage from Water Heaters

    5 Signs Your Water Heater May Break Age of your water heater. Hot water heaters typically last 8 to 12 years. If you have an older unit that keeps going out, it may be time to replace it. If you don’t know how old your water heater is, look for a label …

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  • Published on October 13, 2021 - 19:14 GMT

    Know Your Coverage: EHBs and Mandated Health Benefits

    Texas Mandates Besides the federal requirements listed above, Texas requires that health plans provide additional coverage benefits for consumers, often called mandates. Some of the state mandates do not apply to self-funded health plans, or others that …

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  • Published on September 27, 2021 - 18:31 GMT

    Decoding Residential Property Deductibles

    What is a deductible? A deductible is an amount the insurance company subtracts from your payment for damages caused by a covered loss. It is the amount you will be expected to pay if you repair or replace damaged property. You can find your deductible …

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  • Published on August 30, 2021 - 06:00 GMT

    5 Things To Do Before Buying a Used Car

    It is recommended that you run a title check and get a copy of the vehicle history report, which may include things like accident reports, past maintenance, lien information, mileage, and more. If you’re buying a car from a dealership, they should have …

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  • Published on August 12, 2021 - 20:52 GMT

    Cheap Ways to Save Big on Claims

    Clean your gutters. A working gutter system, with properly placed downspouts and drains, will direct water away from your home’s foundation and help prevent damage, erosion, and water buildup. To make sure gutters work properly, you’ll need to clear them …

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  • Published on July 29, 2021 - 16:40 GMT

    OPIC Recommendations Adopted During the 87th Texas Legislative Session

    Senate Bill (SB) 965 Issue: Section 2251.1025 of the Insurance Code allows certain auto insurers to file rates with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) without providing actuarial support or justification for those rates. This exemption limits OPIC’s …

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  • Published on April 20, 2021 - 06:00 GMT

    How to Prepare for Spring Storms

    Spring weather in Texas is unpredictable and Texans are likely to experience extreme weather events, including tornadoes, hailstorms, hurricanes, and wildfires. Here are some important tips to help you protect yourself, your family, and your property from …

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  • Published on March 16, 2021 - 06:00 GMT

    Know Your Coverage: Usage-Based Insurance (UBI)

    How does UBI work? UBI uses data collected while you drive to determine how much you pay for car insurance. Most data collected for UBI is done through mobile phone applications. You must download the application and agree to the data collection. How do I …

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  • Published on February 20, 2021 - 20:40 GMT

    Recovering from Winter Weather

    You may have had property damage due to broken pipes, downed power lines, and fallen branches. If your pipes burst, turn off your main water valve immediately. Make sure to clean and dry areas that got wet. Don’t touch power lines, and call your utility …

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  • Published on February 9, 2021 - 06:00 GMT

    Don’t Borrow Trouble: Know What’s Covered

    Did you know that even if you have permission to drive a borrowed car or give permission to someone to drive your car, your auto policy may not provide coverage? Consider this before you borrow trouble. Here are some common situations that may not be …

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  • Published on January 27, 2021 - 18:49 GMT

    Know Your Coverage: Telemedicine

    What kind of telehealth or telemedicine is covered  What the restrictions are  What your costs will be compared to traditional in-person visits  What access they offer to a telehealth or telemedicine service  Ask your doctor or healthcare provider if they …

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  • Published on December 29, 2020 - 08:00 GMT

    OPIC’s 2020 Achievements

    OPIC worked hard for consumers this year, analyzing over 1,400 rules, rates, and policy forms. We are a small, 10-person agency, but we did big things in 2020. We saved Texas consumers over $85 million this year alone. Here are some of our biggest …

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  • Published on November 17, 2020 - 06:00 GMT

    Know Your Coverage: Trees

    Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other storms frequently cause trees to fall, which can result in property damage. Falling trees can damage homes, vehicles, or other property. Here are some things to keep in mind when dealing with damage from trees.

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  • Published on October 8, 2020 - 00:28 GMT

    Recovering from Hurricane Delta

    What’s next? Ask your insurance company what deadlines require action on your part, and what you can expect from them next. Find a qualified contractor or auto body shop to do repairs.  Make sure the contractor or auto body shop you choose is insured or …

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  • Published on July 30, 2020 - 15:27 GMT

    5 Important Things To Do Before a Storm Hits

    Before a hurricane, it’s important to know your possible evacuation routes. TxDOT’s website offers maps for evacuation routes from the Texas coast, including Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Houston, Pharr, and Yoakum. Consider printing maps of your evacuation …

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  • Published on April 22, 2020 - 17:46 GMT

    Resources for Business Owners During COVID-19

    As Texas opens for business, you should read your policy and reach out to your insurance company or agent to help you review it. It’s a good time to find out what kinds of coverage you have, how they function, and if you have the right coverage for the …

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  • Published on February 18, 2020 - 06:00 GMT

    How to Reduce Your Wildfire Risk

    A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires are often caused by humans or lightning and can happen anywhere at any time. Wildfire risk increases during periods of little rain and high …

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  • Published on January 31, 2020 - 06:00 GMT

    Know Your Coverage: Roadside Assistance

    Roadside assistance helps you when your vehicle breaks down. Some companies automatically include this coverage, but it is often an optional coverage that can be added to your auto policy. It is important to understand what roadside assistance coverage you …

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  • Published on January 16, 2020 - 06:00 GMT

    OPIC’s 2019 Achievements

    OPIC has been working hard for consumers this year, analyzing over 2,100 rules, rates, and policy forms. We are a small, 10-person agency, but we did big things in 2019, saving Texas consumers over $41 million. Here are some of our biggest achievements: …

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  • Published on January 14, 2020 - 06:00 GMT

    Understanding PIP vs Med-Pay

    Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and Medical Payments (Med-Pay) are auto coverages that pay regardless of who is at fault in an accident. While these coverages have some things in common, they are different. Here are some of the key differences:

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