Website SurveyTexas Department of Insurance Working for You(January 2009) The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulates the state’s insurance industry. We encourage company competition to make insurance available and affordable. We also educate consumers to help them make well-informed insurance decisions. This publication provides an overview of our services and includes a helpful telephone guide. For additional information or answers to general insurance questions, call our Consumer Help Line or visit our website
Regulating the Insurance IndustryLicensing and EnforcementTexas law requires most insurers and insurance-related businesses to be licensed before selling their products or services. TDI licenses insurance companies, agents, third-party administrators, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), premium finance companies, continuing care retirement communities, insurance adjusters, and public insurance adjusters doing business in Texas. TDI also issues rules and regulations for the state’s insurance industry, enforces the Texas Insurance Code, and investigates and takes enforcement action against company and agent misconduct. Financial RegulationTo ensure that insurance companies have the funds to pay claims and expenses, TDI examines the financial condition of companies licensed in Texas and enforces solvency standards. TDI also publishes company profiles that show a company’s complaint record and other useful information, including the company's history and enforcement actions taken against the company. For a company profile, call our Consumer Help Line or use the “Company Lookup” feature on our website. Insurance FraudTDI investigates insurance fraud. Examples of fraudulent activities include selling insurance without a license, filing illegal claims, and misrepresenting insurance policies and coverages for financial gain. TDI refers cases for civil prosecution to the Texas Attorney General’s Office and for criminal prosecution to local district attorneys and United States attorneys. To report suspected insurance fraud, call our 24-hour Fraud Hot Line
Legal and ComplianceTDI may fine or penalize agents and companies that delay claims payments, misrepresent policies, fail to provide required discounts to policyholders, or engage in other unfair and unlawful practices. AdvertisingTDI 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. Technical AnalysisTDI collects and analyzes statistical data, reviews property and casualty rate filings, and reports on rates and markets to assist policy makers and help consumers make insurance-related decisions. The section also supports agency efforts to detect problem insurance companies. Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC)TDI regulates the state’s system to compensate employees for work-related injuries and illnesses. TDI licenses workers’ compensation insurance companies and networks, enforces workers’ compensation laws and rules, promotes worker health and safety, approves companies that want to self-insure, provides access to medical care for injured workers, administers a dispute resolution system for disputes involving workers’ compensation benefits, and provides services to facilitate an injured worker’s return to work. Helping ConsumersConsumer Help LineTDI operates a toll-free Consumer Help Line to assist callers with insurance questions and concerns Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Central time. The help line often extends its hours to help consumers with insurance issues following catastrophic events, such as hurricanes, flooding, or when an insurer goes out of business.
Complaint AssistanceTDI helps consumers recover millions of dollars in refunds and additional claim payments each year. If you have a complaint against an insurance company or agent, you may file your complaint with TDI several ways:
Note: If you have a complaint about your insurance company, first notify your company. If your problem remains unresolved, TDI can help.
Workers’ Compensation Medical & Income Benefit Dispute ResolutionTDI’s Division of Workers’ Compensation resolves disputes involving medical and income benefits paid to workers who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses. If you have a dispute involving workers’ compensation benefits, call the Injured Worker Hot Line
Public Education and PublicationsTDI 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 publications and rate guides to help you better understand insurance and to help you shop for the insurance you need. Visit our website to view our publications online or call our Publications Order Line to have publications mailed to you
Disaster Response TeamsTDI sends response teams to damaged areas after natural disasters. These teams provide information about insurance, help people file claims, monitor the responsiveness of insurance companies, and assist with consumer complaints. State Fire Marshal’s OfficeTDI helps protect lives and property against fire-related hazards. The State Fire Marshal’s Office
To report suspected arson, call our Arson Hot Line
TDI Telephone GuideGeneral Information and Assistance
Filings Intake
Financial Program
Inspections
Life and Health Insurance
Property and Casualty
State Fire Marshal's Office
Title
Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC)
DWC Field Offices
Other Helpful Numbers
For More Information or AssistanceFor answers to general insurance questions or for information on filing an insurance-related complaint, call the Consumer Help Line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Central time, Monday-Friday, or visit our website
For printed copies of consumer publications, call the 24-hour Publications Order Line
Help us prevent insurance fraud. To report suspected fraud, call our toll-free Fraud Hot Line
To report suspected arson or suspicious activity involving fires, call the State Fire Marshal’s 24-hour Arson Hot Line
The information in this publication is current as of the revision date. Changes in laws and agency administrative rules made after the revision date may affect the content. View current information on our website. TDI distributes this publication for educational purposes only. This publication is not an endorsement by TDI of any service, product, or company. For more information contact: |
Texas Department of Insurance Home Page · www.tdi.state.tx.us · Consumer Helpline: 800-252-3439
![[News Feed]](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20091005171931im_/http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/artwork/rss_small.gif "News Feed"){kind=small}
News Feed