TDI Email Connection

A

Advertising Unit (Advertising@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI reviews most insurance advertising and marketing materials to guard against misrepresentation. Insurance companies and agents engaging in unfair trade practices or deceptive advertising are subject to warnings, fines, license revocations, and other penalties. In some cases, TDI may order premium refunds to consumers.

Agents License (License@tdi.state.tx.us ) and Continuing Education (CE@tdi.state.tx.us )

Licensing processes applications for agents licenses and certifications and provides information on third party administrators and premium finance companies. They process filings in the order of date received.

(1) To check on the status of a filing sent to us, please check our processing dates page (www.tdi.state.tx.us/agent/agpdates.html). By law, appointments of licensed agents and applications for temporary general lines licenses are considered effective on the 8th day after the filing and fee is received. You may assume an appointment or temporary license is in effect eight days after TDI should have received the filing, unless the company is notified of a problem. If you have mailed your license renewal, with any supporting documents and all fees, on or before the due date, you may consider your license renewed until you are notified otherwise.

(2) To check the status of a license go to www.texasonline.state.tx.us and select "Insurance Agent Lookup." Official documentation of renewal or appointment may be obtained by printing the appropriate screens from the TexasOnline license database. Anyone with Internet access can visit the TexasOnline site 24 hours a day and search for agent information by name, license number or by the last four digits of a social security number. The information at this Web site will be current as of the close of the previous business day.

(3) You also may call our automated phone system at 512-322-3503 to determine processing dates and license status or to speak to one of our licensing technicians. Our phone system is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Auto & Homeowners Insurance Complaints (ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI helps consumers recover millions of dollars in refunds and additional claims' payments each year. If you have an insurance-related complaint, call TDI's toll-free Publications Order Line at 1-800-599-SHOP (7467) and order a complaint form. In Austin, call 305-7211. You also can complete a form on our website and submit it on-line or mail or fax a letter describing your complaint with copies of documentation to:

Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Protection Program (111-1A)
P.O. Box 149091
Austin, TX 78714-9091
Fax: 512-475-1771

C

Chief Clerk's Office (ChiefClerk@tdi.state.tx.us )

General Counsel and Chief Clerk serves as the Commissioner's chief legal adviser on contested cases, coordinates all rate hearings and assists in developing rules, setting rates and handling various appeals to the Commissioner. In addition, the office coordinates matters involving contested cases and rule-making, performs legal research, certifies rules for the agency and maintains records and proceedings involving Commissioner actions. The office also handles several hearings-related duties, including coordinating hearing notices and scheduling of hearings with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), along with providing a required court reporter.

Commissioner's Ombudsman (CommissionersOmbudsman@tdi.state.tx.us )

The Texas Department of Insurance sets high standards for customer service and invites you to contact a supervisor or manager if you need help in resolving a service problem. If you are still not satisfied with the service you receive from the TDI program, you may contact the Commissioner´s Ombudsman by e-mail or by writing:

Commissioner's Ombudsman
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas 78714-9104

Or, you may call:

1-512-475-1776 phone
1-512-475-2005 fax

Company License and Registration (CompanyLicense@tdi.state.tx.us )

Company License and Registration licenses both foreign and domestic insurance companies, maintains company charter files and processes and approves certain transactions for admitted insurance companies. It also processes licensing applications for health maintenance organizations, registers eligible non-admitted insurers and risk retention/purchasing groups, oversees statutory deposits of licensed companies and corporate agencies and maintains the agency database of both licensed and registered companies.

Consumer Protection (ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us )

Consumer Protection's Complaint Assistance helps in cases where you have been unable to resolve problems with your insurance company. TDI helps consumers recover millions of dollars in refunds and additional claims' payments each year. If you have an insurance-related complaint, call TDI's toll-free Publications Order Line at 1-800-599-SHOP (7467) and order a complaint form. In Austin, call 305-7211.

You also can complete an online complaint form or mail or fax a letter describing your complaint with copies of documentation to

Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Protection Program (111-1A)
P.O. Box 149091
Austin, TX 78714-9091

Fax: 512-475-1771

TDI has authority to take administrative, civil and/or criminal action against companies, agents, HMOs and other entities who engage in fraud, misrepresentation or other illegal practices. You may contact our ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us Consumer Protection Program toll-free at 1-800-252-3439 to report such activity.

Public Education and Publications gives presentations on a variety of insurance topics and trains volunteer counselors to address the insurance concerns of seniors. We offer a variety of free brochures and rate guides to help you shop smarter for and better understand insurance. Our publications are available online or through the mail by calling our Publications Order Line at 1-800-599-SHOP (7467) (Austin - 305-7211).

Contacting TDI (PIO@tdi.state.tx.us )

Contacts for the Texas Department of Insurance include:

Physical location: 333 Guadalupe, Austin, Texas 78701
Mail letters to: P.O. Box 149104, Austin, Texas 78714-9104
Agency Switchboard: Toll-free 1-800-578-4677 In Austin, 463-6169
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD): 1-512-322-4238
Consumer Helpline (multi-lingual capability):Toll-free 1-800-252-3439
Arson Hotline:Toll-free 1-877-4-FIRE-45 (1-877-434-7345)
e-mail: PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
Internet Web site:www.tdi.state.tx.us

Customer Relations (CustomerRelations@tdi.state.tx.us )

Should you have any comments or suggestions about the services and standards identified in TDI's Compact with Texans, please contact our Customer Relations Representative.

E

Engineering Services (Engineering@tdi.state.tx.us )

Engineering Services assists the State Fire Marshal's Office in evaluating public and private fire suppression rating schedules; evaluates and approves designs for compliance with Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) building codes, including wind load designs; reviews and develops TWIA building codes; evaluates building products; assesses commercial and residential automatic sprinkler systems; and reviews calculations and building design plans certified by engineers.

F

Financial Analysis/Examinations (FinancialAnalysis@tdi.state.tx.us )

Financial Analysis and Examinations reviews annual and interim financial statements and other documents to determine the financial condition of insurance companies, health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and other licensed insurance entities. They also recommend regulatory actions as appropriate and review changes of control, mergers, affiliate agreements and investments and holding company registration statements of insurance companies domiciled, or commercially domiciled, in Texas. In addition, they review all applications for admission, service area expansions, and agreements/contracts of HMOs and monitors the operational and financial condition trends of the HMO industry in Texas. The examinations staff conducts financial examinations of insurers, HMOs, premium finance companies, managing general agents (MGAs), reinsurance intermediaries and multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs).

Fire Marshal (Fire.Marshal@tdi.state.tx.us )

The State Fire Marshal´s Office (SFMO) protects the lives and property of the citizens of Texas against fire and related hazards through direct action and coordination with the public safety community. We have offices throughout the state to provide rapid response to requests for investigations and inspections. The offices are located in Conroe, Corpus Christi, Duncanville, Lubbock and Tyler. The SFMO maintains a toll-free arson hotline number that residents anywhere in Texas can call to report information about arson or suspicious fires. The number is 1-877-4-FIRE-45 or 1-877-434-7345. This hotline is answered 24 hours a day and callers may remain anonymous.

To request any SFMO services, contact us at 1-512-305-7900. This number is answered 24 hours a day, and we will respond to requests for emergency arson investigations and inspections immediately if necessary. For additional information, please see our Web page at www.tdi.state.tx.us/fire/

Forms Manager (FORMSMGR@tdi.state.tx.us )

If you are unable to locate a TDI form, please send an email to TDI's Form Manager.

Fraud Unit (FraudUnit@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI has a program to investigate fraudulent insurance acts. Report fraud on-line at www.tdi.state.tx.us\fraud\ or by calling the Fraud Unit hotline at 1-888-327-8818.

Insurance fraud is an intentional deception committed by applicants, policy holders, claimants, providers, agents and company employees. It may occur during the process of buying, using, selling or underwriting insurance and is usually motivated by greed.

The Fraud Unit works with other law enforcement agencies and state and federal prosecutors to pursue criminal prosecution of fraudulent activity. Administrative or civil matters are handled by the Enforcement Section of TDI's Legal and Compliance Program.

G

Government Relations (GovernmentRelations@tdi.state.tx.us )

Government Relations serves as TDI's liaison with the Legislature and other governmental entities. Major responsibilities are: help the Commissioner determine the legislative needs of the agency; report to the Legislature; coordinate and track agency-wide responses to legislative and constituent inquiries; monitor and analyze legislation affecting the agency; update agency staff on the status of legislation; coordinate the appearance of agency staff for testimony before various legislative committees; oversee implementation of legislation; compile and index all insurance and agency-related legislation adopted by the legislature for use on TDI's Web site; distribute requested information to legislators, committees and other governmental entities; research and review possible appointments to various boards and committees required to assist the department.

H

HMO Division (Hmogrp@tdi.state.tx.us )

The HMO Division regulates HMOs and utilization review agents (URAs) and certifies independent review organizations (IROs). The Division investigates complaints against these licensed entities and reviews HMO and URA form filings.

HMO Compliance/URA (URAGrp@tdi.state.tx.us )

Compliance/URA/IRO reviews and analyzes HMO form filings to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations; certifies utilization review agents (URAs) to conduct business in Texas; and oversees the utilization review and independent review process, as well as URA complaints.

Human Resources (HumanResources@tdi.state.tx.us )

Human Resources promotes agency goals primarily by developing, implementing and interpreting agency personnel policies and procedures, handling personnel and benefit needs, providing professional development opportunities for employees and managers and staffing the agency switchboard to direct incoming calls throughout the agency. Job opportunity information also is available on our Web site.

L

Life/Health Division (LifeHealth@tdi.state.tx.us )

Life & Health Complaints (Lahintake@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI helps consumers recover millions of dollars in refunds and additional claims' payments each year. If you have an insurance-related complaint, call TDI's toll-free Publications Order Line at 1-800-599-SHOP (7467) and order a complaint form. In Austin, call 305-7211. You also can complete a form on our website and submit it on-line or you can print it out and submit your complaint by mail or fax with copies of documentation to:

Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Protection Program (111-1A)
P.O. Box 149091
Austin, TX 78714-9091
Fax: 512-475-1771

Liquidation Oversight (LiquidationOversight@tdi.state.tx.us )

If a company cannot be rehabilitated and is found to be insolvent, the Commissioner may ask the Attorney General to petition the District Court in Travis County to place the company in receivership, which involves liquidation of the insurer by a special deputy receiver (SDR) and payment of outstanding covered claims by the appropriate guaranty association. Liquidation Oversight monitors and evaluates each SDR's performance by analyzing business plans, including financial statements, cost benefit analyses, budgets, estimated general administrative expenses and other planned activities, as required by the Texas Insurance Code. Oversight also monitors the state's guaranty associations to ensure the appropriate and fair processing of receivership related claims and complaints, and maintains the records of insolvent insurers during and after receivership.

M

O

Open Records (AgencyCounsel@tdi.state.tx.us )

In dealing with Open Records and other information requests, TDI is committed to providing customer friendly service. All agency information is public unless it is confidential by law or falls within an exception to the Public Information Act. TDI processes requests for information in a decentralized manner. Requests are processed in the division where the information is located. More information on how and where to file an information request is available at our Web site's Open Records page (AgencyCounsel@tdi.state.tx.us ).

P

Personal & Commercial Lines (CommercialPC@tdi.state.tx.us )

Personal & Commercial Lines Division oversees policy forms and manual rules for automobile and personal lines coverages, shares with the Inspection Division oversight of operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and responds to inquiries from agents, consumers and insurers. (commercialpc@tdi.state.tx.us)

Postmaster (PostMaster@tdi.state.tx.us )

The Postmaster responds to problems with TDI's e-mail correspondence. If you have a problem with an e-mail sent via our Web site or to anyone at the Texas Department of Insurance, please let us know by contacting the Postmaster (postmaster@tdi.state.tx.us).

Premium Finance Section (License@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI's Premium Finance Section licenses premium finance companies. An "insurance premium finance company" means a person engaged in the business of making loans under the provisions of Chapter 24, Texas Insurance Code, by entering into premium finance agreements with insureds. You may contact our Premium Finance Section at 512-322-3412, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Public Information Office (PIO@tdi.state.tx.us )

The Public Information Office serves as the agency's primary contact with the news media and also responds to information requests from consumers, the insurance industry and other regulators and government agencies. The Public Information Office also oversees the content and non-technical areas of TDI's Web site (pio@tdi.state.tx.us).

T

Third Party Administrator (TPA) Section (TPA@tdi.state.tx.us )

TDI's Third Party Administrator Section licenses, regulates and examines TPAs, which administer plans under contract with insurance companies, HMOs an/or self-funded plans. You may contact our TPA Section at 512-322-3412 between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Title Insurance (Title@tdi.state.tx.us )

Title regulates policy forms and rates for title insurance and oversees licensing and financial examination of title agents. The Title Insurance Section oversees licensing of title agents, direct operations, and escrow officers, responds to consumer complaints and inquiries and assists with rule and rate hearings. Title Examinations Section conducts comprehensive, limited scope, and restricted compliance audits of title agents licensed in Texas (title@tdi.state.tx.us).

W

Webmaster (Webmaster@tdi.state.tx.us )

The Webmaster oversees the general content and operation of TDI's Web site. Please contact the Webmaster any time you have a problem using our Web site or have a suggestion for improving our online service (webmaster@tdi.state.tx.us).

Workers' Compensation (WorkersComp@tdi.state.tx.us )

The Workers' Compensation Division regulates the writing of workers' compensation insurance in Texas. This group determines the appropriate workers' compensation classification for employers' businesses, handles inquiries and complaints, oversees the calculation of experience modifiers by insurance companies, administers job safety incentive programs for employers and reviews group purchase plans.

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