Latest Texas Headlines

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

Q & A with Texas Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Albert Betts

Jun 5 2006 // Insurance Journal: What are some of the major aspects of the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s Strategic Management Plan for implementing workers’ compensation system reforms? Commissioner Albert Betts:...

John Lary Kephart

Jun 5 2006 // Long time San Antonio insurance professional John Lary Kephart, age 86, passed away May 9, 2006, at his home in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Amorita, Okla., on March 30, 1920, to the...

Case Law Watch

Jun 5 2006 // Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Jones Brothers Inc. v. Whitlock, et al. (Ark. May 4, 2005) Prime contractor liable for workers’ compensation benefits owed to employee of uninsured subcontractor: The Supreme...

State Farm Files for Auto, Home Rate Changes in Texas

Jun 2 2006 // State Farm Insurance announced it has submitted several filings to the Texas Department of Insurance as it prepares to implement rate adjustments in the state. The company is reducing auto rates but increasing homeowners...

Crump Opens Austin Office, Adds Marquart in Dallas

Jun 2 2006 // Crump Insurance Services of Houston Inc. announced the opening of a new branch office in Austin, Texas. Crump Austin will provide specialized insurance programs for high hazard businesses nationwide. The Austin team,...

Allstate Settles Texas Insurance Scoring and Discrimination Lawsuit

Jun 2 2006 // Allstate Insurance Co. announced it has reached a settlement with the plaintiffs in the case of Jose DeHoyos, et. al. vs. Allstate Insurance Co., et. al., which was preliminarily approved by United States District Judge...

Losses from April Hailstorms in Central Texas Reach $160M

Jun 2 2006 // The hailstorms that pounded central Texas in April were costly, according to the Insurance Council of Texas. The final tally for insured losses from storms on April 20 and 21 reached $160 million. The city of San Marcos...

Texas Watch Launches Insurer Accountability Network

Jun 1 2006 // On May 31, the eve of the 2006 hurricane season, Texas Watch, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization active on insurance issues, announced the launch of its Hurricane Insurance Company Accountability Network (ICAN) in...

TIP/PIA Names Hawkeye Insurance ‘Company of the Year’

Jun 1 2006 // At its annual convention, held May 25-29, 2006 aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines “M. S. Ecstasy” the Texas Insurance Professionals / PIA Texas, voted Hawkeye Insurance Services Inc. as their “Company of...

Texas Mutual to Pay $100M in Dividends

Jun 1 2006 // Approximately 34,000 Texas employers will receive a share of approximately $100 million in dividends from Texas Mutual Insurance Company. This marks the largest dividend payout in the company’s history. The Texas...

Texans Urged to Conduct Home Inventory at Start of Hurricane Season

May 31 2006 // Recognizing the June 1 start of hurricane season, the Texas Department of Insurance issued a reminder to homeowners and renters in Texas to conduct a home inventory of their personal possessions. “After a devastating...

Texas Windstorm Association to Increase Rates

May 30 2006 // Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin on May 26 signed a Commissioner’s Order allowing the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to increase rates for residential homeowners’ wind coverage by 3.1...

Report Ranks S.D. Drivers as Safest; Phoenix Drivers Safest in Big Cities

May 24 2006 // Residents of Sioux Falls, S.D., are the safest drivers in the United States, according to the second-annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report.” The largest city in South Dakota moves up from the...

San Antonio Insurance Professional John Lary Kephart Dies at 86

May 23 2006 // Long time insurance professional John Lary Kephart, age 86, passed away May 9, 2006, at his home in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Amorita, Okla., on March 30, 1920, to the late John...

Tax reform, no catastrophe relief

May 22 2006 // The Texas Legislature concluded its recent special session by passing school finance and property tax reform–finally. After two regular sessions and four special sessions, Texas lawmakers were able to set aside their...

People and Places

May 22 2006 // Texas Mutual Insurance Company appointed Larry Wagner as its new vice president of underwriting. Wagner will serve as chief underwriting officer and will oversee loss prevention efforts. Wagner has 30 years of underwriting...

Business Moves

May 22 2006 // Pierson & Fendley, CAA Combined Agents of America LLC, Austin, announced that Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency LLC of Paris, Texas, joined CAA as the group’s 34th member. Pierson & Fendley has served...

News Currents

May 22 2006 // Study: Tort reforms reduce med-mal premiums Tort reforms are the best proven instrument for reducing medical liability insurance premium growth, according to a new study conducted by Stanford University Professor Daniel P....

People

May 22 2006 // Texas Mutual Insurance Company appointed Larry Wagner as its new vice president of underwriting. Wagner will serve as chief underwriting officer and will oversee loss prevention efforts. Wagner has 30 years of underwriting...

Editor’s Note: Tax reform, no catastrophe relief

May 22 2006 // The Texas Legislature concluded its recent special session by passing school finance and property tax reform—finally. After two regular sessions and four special sessions, Texas lawmakers were able to set aside their...