Consumer Spotlight

Updates!

• Consumer Alert: Protect Yourself Against Medicare Advantage Fraud | (Spanish version)
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)
• Consumer Alert: Stranger-Owned Life Insurance: Zero Premium Life Insurance and New Issue Settlements
• Hurricane Humberto Consumer Assistance
• Consumer Alert: Car Buyers Urged to Beware of Flood-damaged Vehicles
• Flood Resource Page
• Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company Resource Page
• Wind and Hail Insurance Resource Page
• Business Interruption Coverage | Word | PDF
• Shopping for Insurance Resource Page
• Property & Casualty 2006 Compliance Conference Materials
• Life, Health & Licensing 2006 Compliance Conference Materials
• Vesta Insurance Group Resource Page (includes Texas Select)
• 2007 Disaster Assistance to Consumers FAQs
• Asistencia para Consumidores por Causa
  de Desastre 2007 Preguntas Frecuentes
• Home Inventory Checklist (PDF) | (RTF)
• Texas Wildfire Resource Page  
• Data Calls and Surveys

Finding the Best Value for Your Insurance Dollar

TDI's new Auto Insurance Price Comparisons and Home Insurance Price Comparisons include an increased number of driver and home "profiles" that can more accurately reflect the consumer´s insurance needs. The new guides also use representative zip codes as location references rather than rating territories, providing consumers with helpful information.

The price comparisons help people shop for insurance and show annual price estimates submitted to TDI by the companies listed. Both auto and homeowners price comparisons show estimates for the type of policy a company is "most likely" to sell to new customers.

The auto price comparisons list estimates based on seven hypothetical driver profiles, up from four profiles in the previous rate guides. Profiles vary by age, gender, and use of vehicle (drive to work or pleasure). The homeowners price comparisons list estimates based on eight hypothetical homeowner profiles, up for four profiles previously. Profiles vary by age of house and construction.

Along with price estimates, the guides provide contact information for each company listed, an AM Best financial rating, a complaint index, and shopping tips. The online price comparisons also include information on discounts offered.

Companies writing in the top 80 percent of the market statewide for auto and homeowners insurance were required to submit data. Other companies were included if they chose to submit data. Only companies currently writing to new customers are included.

Note: The price comparisons show annual price estimates submitted to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) by the companies listed, and represent typical coverages for hypothetical profiles. The price information cannot be used to compare insurance rates between companies over time.

Price Comparison Publications

Homeowner Insurance Price Comparisons | Spanish version

Auto Insurance Price Comparisons | Spanish version

Notice

• Advertising Workgroup Resource Page
• Vesta Insurance Group (including Texas Select) Resource Page
• Workers' Compensation Health Care Networks for Injured Employees
• Home Inventory Checklist (PDF) | (RTF)
• Texas Wildfire Resource Page
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare Part D)
• Are you prepared for hurricane season?
• Hurricane Rita Consumer Assistance
• Hurricane Katrina Consumer Assistance
• Identity Theft and Credit Scoring: What You Should Know
• Long-Term Care Resource Page
• Consumer Protection Customer Service Survey
• Each year TDI helps consumers with more than 30,000 complaints. Because of TDI´s efforts, consumers received $48 million more in claims and refunds last year.
  File a Complaint Online | Complaint Help
• Letter of Interest to Consumers Concerning Health Care Discount Cards
• Need a list of insurance companies of interest to consumers? - Lists includes major Texas insurance companies based on policy premiums (homeowners, auto, workers´ compensation, accident and health, HMO, life and annuities)

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