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  www.tdi.state.tx.us - Consumer Helpline 1-800-252-3439




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Texas Wide Open for Business

The Texas Market • Policy Forms • File-and-Use • Public Adjusters • Consumer Choice • Workers' Compensation • Medical Malpractice Reform • Helpful Numbers • Contacts

WITH A POPULATION of more than 22 million - second largest in the nation - Texas offers a ready marketplace. But size isn't all we have to offer. Innovative, reform-driven leadership and a dynamic, competitive business climate make the Lone Star State an ideal place for insurers to expand or locate. From the far reaches of West Texas and the High Plains, to the Piney Woods of East Texas, and from the Hill Country to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas is home to leading companies in high technology, telecommunications, biopharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.

THE TEXAS MARKET
Texas takes a reasonable, modern approach to regulation. A customer service survey conducted in 2004 by the University of North Texas found that insurers gave Texas favorable marks in creating a regulatory environment that makes the insurance industry want to do business in the state, regulating the industry fairly and effectively, and supporting an efficient industry. The survey also showed that insurer perceptions of the Texas regulatory environment have improved during the last decade. Regulators and the industry alike believe that the Texas insurance market is strong and getting stronger thanks to recent insurance legislation, especially in the following areas:

POLICY FORMS
Insurers are allowed to offer forms to meet consumer demands that differ from state prescribed policy forms. This change allows coverage selections to be controlled by the consumer.

FILE-AND-USE
One of the biggest changes in the Texas insurance market is the adoption of the file-and-use system for automobile and homeowners insurance rates. Effective December 1, 2004, companies file their rates with the Texas Department of Insurance, but do not have to wait for prior approval to implement them.

PUBLIC INSURANCE ADJUSTERS
Public insurance adjusters in Texas are now licensed and regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. This provides for control over third-party adjusters that can impact cost of claims.

CONSUMER CHOICE
Health insurance companies and health maintenance organizations now may offer health plans that don't have to include state-mandated benefits. This allows companies to better tailor their plans to the needs of their customers and allows consumers greater choice. Savings through the mandate-free plans should expand the Texas health insurance market and allow more small employers to offer coverage for their employees.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Texas has long been a leader in workers' compensation reform.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE REFORM
Texans recently passed an amendment to the state's Constitution that allows the Texas Legislature to limit the amount of non-economic damages that plaintiffs can recover in court. The Texas Legislature has already placed limits on amounts of non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. These limits are intended to drive down unreasonably high damage awards and bring stability to the medical malpractice market, while allowing the truly injured to recover.

Texas Department of Insurance
HELPFUL NUMBERS

Switchboard-Austin 512-463-6169
  toll free: 1-800-578-4677
AutoHome@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-2266
BusinessDevelopment@tdi.state.tx.us 512-463-6464
CommercialPC@tdi.state.tx.us 512-305-6711
ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us 1-800-252-3439
Lahintake@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-4245
PCFilingsIntake@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-3575
GovernmentRelations@tdi.state.tx.us 512-463-6651
Windstorm@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-2259
AgencyCounsel@tdi.state.tx.us 512-475-1821
LifeHealth@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-3409
Fire.Marshal@tdi.state.tx.us 512-305-7900
Title@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-3482
WorkersComp@tdi.state.tx.us 512-322-3495

Texas Department of Insurance
Call today - 512-463-6464
Visit our Web site - www.tdi.state.tx.us
for additional information.

If you would like to discuss these and other good reasons to do business in Texas, e-mail TDI's Business Development Specialist at BusinessDevelopment@tdi.state.tx.us . Or send mail inquiries to: Texas Department of Insurance, Business Development, P.O. Box 149104, MC 113-1C, Austin, TX 78714-9104.

For more information, contact the Governor's Office, Economic Development and Tourism division.



For more information contact: BusinessDevelopment@tdi.state.tx.us

Last updated: 10/17/2006



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