Latest Texas Headlines

All the headlines from our Texas Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Texas Court: Employer Not Liable for Fatigued Worker’s Off Duty Activity

Jun 23 2009 // The Supreme Court of Texas has ruled that employers generally do not owe a duty to third parties for the activities of off duty employees that occur away from the work site, even if those activities ultimately lead to a...

Texas Restructures Windstorm Insurance Fund

Jun 22 2009 // Texas Gov. Rick Perry on Friday signed into law bills to restructure the state’s windstorm insurance fund, the only property insurer for homeowners and business in 14 coastal counties, and provide financial help to...

Bridges Named Young Agent of the Year by Texas Independent Agents

Jun 19 2009 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has named Mark Bridges, a producer at Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency in Amarillo, as the André P. Juneau Young Agent of the Year. Bridges was honored with...

The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas Installs New Leadership

Jun 18 2009 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has elected new leadership for 2009-2010. Bryan Shofner, president of Shofner & Associates Insurance Agency Inc., a holding company that owns and operates Shofner Lynch...

Medlin Receives Top Award from Texas Independent Agents Group

Jun 17 2009 // The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) announced that Plano independent insurance agent Don Medlin recently received the Drex Foreman Award at the association’s 112th Annual Conference & Trade...

State Farm Could Owe $0 to $1 Billion to Texas Consumers

Jun 16 2009 // The years-long struggle between the State of Texas and State Farm Insurance Company over homeowners insurance overcharges may be coming to a close soon, as Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geesling is expected to rule on...

People

Jun 15 2009 // Dallas-based Sleeper Sewell Insurance Services Inc. announced that Von Breaux is now responsible for leading the company as part of his duties as recently named president and CEO of ANBTX Insurance Services Inc. Sleeper...

Texas, Oklahoma AGs Sue BP

Jun 15 2009 // In separate court actions, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson have charged BP Products North America Inc. with pollution violations (Texas) and manipulating the price of propane...

Texas Windstorm Insurance Bill Passes

Jun 15 2009 // Texas lawmakers on the first day of the 2009 hurricane season and the last day of the Texas legislative session passed a bill – HB 4409 – aimed at recapitalizing the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association...

Declarations

Jun 15 2009 // Never Say Never “I never rule out the option of a special session… The idea that somehow or another these agencies are going to go away, that’s not going to happen.” —Texas Gov. Rick Perry. After...

Texas Windstorm Insurer Extends Residential Waiver Surcharge

Jun 12 2009 // The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association recently notified agents that its waiver surcharge program for residential dwellings has been extended to Sept. 1, 2009. June 1 marked the third anniversary of the residential...

Texas Takes 1,636 Vehicles Out of Service During ‘Roadcheck’

Jun 11 2009 // During Roadcheck 2009, which ran from June 2 through June 4, Texas Department of Public (DPS) troopers inspected 7,316 commercial vehicles, a 25.6 percent increase from Roadcheck 2008. During the three-day campaign, 7,316...

Texas Special Session to Consider Insurance Department Now Likely

Jun 10 2009 // After the Texas Legislature adjourned without reuthorizing the Texas Department of Insurance, Gov. Rick Perry stated he was considering other options to facilitate the continuing operation of TDI besides a special...

New Non-Profit Supports Insurance Education in Texas

Jun 8 2009 // A group of Texas-based insurance industry professionals in late May announced the launch of a new non-profit group, the sole mission of which is to support insurance education in the state of Texas. The Texas Risk and...

Texas GOP Vows to Keep Insurance, Transportation Departments Open

Jun 5 2009 // Republican leaders in the Texas Legislature have promised that insurance regulation, roadbuilding and other government functions will continue in Texas despite lawmakers’ failure to pass a measure preserving the...

Texas Mutual to Distribute $75M in Individual Policyholder Dividends

Jun 4 2009 // Texas Mutual Insurance Company’s board of directors has approved a $75 million individual policyholder dividend. The company plans to mail dividend checks in late July to approximately 37,000 employers, representing...

Texas Mutual Offers Free Safety Resources to Oil and Gas Industry

Jun 3 2009 // Austin, Texas-based Texas Mutual Insurance Company has added free safety training resources for the oil and gas industry on its Web site at texasmutual.com/safety/rtmain.shtm. Texas Mutual noted that between 2003 and 2006,...

Insurance Department in Limbo as Texas Legislature Adjourns

Jun 2 2009 // While the Texas Legislature managed to pass a long sought bill, HB4409, that addresses funding for the state’s insurer of last resort for wind and hail along the Texas coast, lawmakers failed to decide on other...

Delta Celebrates 50 Years

Jun 1 2009 // Some 50-year-olds may wish 50 really were the new 40, but for Delta General Agency Corporation turning 50 is a milestone the Houston-based insurance wholesaler is proud to celebrate. Formed in 1959 by Houston retail agent...

Texas House Sends Windstorm Reforms to Conference

Jun 1 2009 // The Texas House approved a conference committee report on Saturday to hammer out windstorm insurance reform legislation with senators. House lawmakers sent the measure — which could cause lawmakers to be called back...