Latest Texas Headlines

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

Uninsured Drivers Travel Under the Radar

Aug 18 2003 // Two things are abundantly clear when it comes to the issue of uninsured motorists: The problem is a big one and it’s nearly impossible to know with any certainty how many uninsured drivers there are on the...

Production, Service & Employee Satisfaction Drive Higginbotham to the Top

Aug 18 2003 // Fort Worth-based Higginbotham & Associates began as a small personal lines agency in 1948 representing Trinity Universal Insurance Company and SAFECO. Today it is one of the largest independent agencies in North...

Texas Oilfield Worker Indicted for WC Fraud

Aug 11 2003 // The Travis County (Texas) Grand Jury recently indicted Jimmy L. Jones on workers’ compensation fraud-related charges. According to the Texas Mutual Insurance Company, Jones was an employee of Jen’s Oilfield...

Texas Carriers Ordered to Lower Homeowners Rates

Aug 11 2003 // On Aug. 8, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) ordered most of the top 32 insurance company groups writing homeowners insurance in Texas to lower their rates by up to 31 percent, a move the department expects will save...

Brooke Franchise Corporation

Aug 8 2003 // Brooke Franchise Corporation has recently acquired the assets of: Abide Insurance Agency, Inc. – Oklahoma Culver Insurance Agency, Inc. – Oklahoma American National Insurance Services, Inc. d/b/a Houston...

ICT to Hold Workers’ Comp Symposium in Sept.

Aug 6 2003 // The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) announced it will hold a workers compensation insurance symposium on Sept. 24 in Austin, Texas. Presenters will speak on the following topics: State of the Texas Workers Compensation...

ICT REPORTS ON TEXAS’ COSTLIEST AND DEADLIEST STORMS

Aug 4 2003 // The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) reported the state’s costliest and deadliest storms since 1950. A tropical storm that dropped more than three feet of rain on parts of Houston was the costliest weather disaster...

20 States Have Enacted Tort Reforms This Year

Aug 4 2003 // This year has been the busiest for enactment of state civil justice reform legislation since 1995, according to the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA). At mid-year, 20 states already have enacted laws; 19 laws were...

Former San Antonio Councilman Disbarred for WC Fraud

Aug 1 2003 // Texas Mutual Insurance Company reported that the Texas State Bar has permanently disbarred Bernardo Eureste, a Houston attorney and former San Antonio city councilman. Eureste has not practiced law since June 2002, when he...

Employers Mutual Operators Fined $12.5 Million by TDI

Aug 1 2003 // Texas Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor levied fines totaling $12.5 million against the operators and chief marketer of a fraudulent health care plan that enrolled approximately 7,200 Texas residents. The unlicensed...

Texas Classroom Equivalent CE Courses Now Available at WebCE

Jul 31 2003 // WebCE, a nationwide insurance continuing education provider, announced the immediate availability of several Texas “Classroom Equivalent” courses. WebCE recently completed enhancements to its Web-based course...

Summit Global Partners Expanding Service in Texas

Jul 30 2003 // International insurance brokerage and consulting company Summit Global Partners announced that Roman Sanchez has been named sales executive of Summit Global Partners of Texas. In his new position, Sanchez is charged with...

Texas AG Reports Auto Repair Refund Deal with Farmers

Jul 29 2003 // According to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, the state has reached a settlement with Farmers Insurance Group that requires the company to refund an estimated $2.4 million to about 13,000 Texas motorists who may have...

Texas Commish Offers Claudette Claims Tips

Jul 23 2003 // Texas Insurance Commissioner Jose Montemayor offered Texans effected by Hurricane Claudette some basic, common sense steps to take, and mistakes to avoid, as they attempt to receive a prompt and fair settlement from their...

As Summer Heats Up, So Does Vehicle Theft

Jul 21 2003 // While some of us may be living easy at the beach or in the mountains during the summer, it’s typically the season when auto thieves do most of their work. And it’s also a time when vehicle theft watchers come...

Spalding Honored by Insurance Council of Texas

Jul 21 2003 // Clem H. Spalding, who for many years played a major leadership role in the Texas automobile insurance market, was presented the Raymond Mauk Leadership Award Wednesday, July 17, at the Mid-Year Property and Casualty...

Regional Carriers Zone In on Helping Agents

Jul 21 2003 // When it comes to buying and selling insurance, there is a common thread intertwined in all transactions—service. Whether it be the consumer purchasing auto insurance, or the agent securing the coverage on behalf of the...

Fifth Circuit Finding That Trademark is Not Advertising Limits Coverage B

Jul 21 2003 // Coverage B, the lesser-known part of the standard commercial general liability policy, provides coverage for personal injury and advertising injury. Coverage is defined by certain enumerated “offenses.” In...

TEXAS CO. GUILTY OF WC FRAUD:

Jul 21 2003 // Travis County District Judge Patrick Keel has found that a San Antonio janitorial company lied about its payroll to get workers’ compensation coverage so it could pursue lucrative government contracts. According to...

Legislation, Building Relationships Mark Year for TSLA Leader

Jul 21 2003 // Paula Burnes, CEO of the Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA), recently sat down with Insurance Journal senior writer Dave Thomas to discuss the Association’s role in the industry, its plans for the future, and...