Texas Department of Insurance

You can also visit the Web site to verify URA certification at and IRO certification at www.tdi.state.tx.us/company/indexlh.html or learn more about workers' compensation networks at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/wc/wcnet/index.html.

Viatical and Life Settlement Providers Registration

TDI is required to register viatical and life settlement providers, brokers and provider representatives, review forms utilized by such persons, and collect data related to this business.  Viatical settlements are contracts under which persons with catastrophic or life-threatening illness sell all or part of their life insurance policies for cash.  Life settlements are contracts where persons who do not have a catastrophic or life-threatening illness, sell all or part of their life insurance policy for cash.  If you wish to seek registration to do the business of viatical or life settlements in Texas contact our Company Licensing and Registration Division at 512-322-3507.  For a list of registered entities and persons, application for registration, required disclosures, reporting forms and other related information, visit TDI's Web site at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/life/viaintro.html.

   Financial Monitoring and Intervention

TDI's Financial analysts review statements filed by insurers and HMOs.  Additionally, TDI periodically conducts on-site financial, actuarial, and market conduct examinations of insurers and HMOs.  If necessary for protection of policyholders, TDI has the authority to intervene in a company’s operations.  If the insurance company or HMO ultimately fails, it may be placed into liquidation by a court.  The Commissioner of Insurance, as statutory receiver, will generally appoint a Special Deputy Receiver (SDR) to marshal the failed company's assets and arrange for payment of legitimate claims. 

To view basic financial information for companies conducting business in Texas, please visit our Web site at https://apps.tdi.state.tx.us/pcci/pcci_search.jsp.  If you are a company and have questions about the examination process, please contact TDI's Financial Analysis and Examinations section at 512-322-5038.  If you are a policy holder or claimant of a failed company, please read TDI's publication "If My Insurance Company Fails," on-line at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/consumer/cb006.html. For information about TDI's SDR contracting program, visit the Web site at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/licensing/company/sdrcontractadmn.html or call 512-322-3467. 

   Assuring Fair and Efficient Regulation

We strive to perform our regulatory functions in a consistent and timely manner and to provide clear guidance for companies to meet regulatory requirements. 

Required Financial Regulation Filings

Various statutes and regulations require companies to file information with TDI regarding their financial condition and to file applications for items requiring regulatory approval.  We have developed a guide called "Filing Smart" to assist in making the filing process as efficient as possible.  For specific details on filings, see the following Web page: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/financial/indexsmart.html. 

Required Property and Casualty Form and Rate Filings

"Filings Made Easy" provides assistance to filers regarding rule, rate, and form filings.  The guide includes the required filing transmittal form and instructions for each line of insurance.  For a copy of this publication, see the following Web page: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/pubs/pc/rspceasy.html. Additionally, TDI is participating in the electronic filing system SERFF (System for Electronic Rate and Form Filing) to expedite the form review process. 

Required Life, Health, HMO, Annuities, and Non-Profit Prepaid Legal Filings

Various statutes and TDI regulations require companies to file with TDI policies, certificates, rates, HMO evidences of coverage, and related forms and documents that will be issued in Texas.  Some of these forms, rates, and documents require review and approval prior to use.  To assist companies in filing these forms and documents, assure compliance, and expedite the review process, we have developed numerous checklists, product resource guides, and other informational materials which can be found under various headings at TDI's Web page at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/forms/form10.html .  To offer additional flexibility in filing forms, in addition to paper filings, TDI accepts electronic filings for all life and health and annuity products through SERFF, and annuity products through the Multi-State Review (MSR) process, which is a joint initiative with California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington, DC. 

   Enforcing Insurance Laws

TDI has authority to initiate administrative, civil, and/or criminal action against companies, agents, HMOs, and other entities that engage in fraud, misrepresentation, or other illegal practices.  Enforcement actions are often performed in response to consumer complaints or other allegations that an entity or individual is violating applicable laws and regulations.  You may contact our Consumer Protection Program toll-free at 1-800-252-3439 to report a complaint of an alleged violation.  

Administrative Regulatory Enforcement

For administrative or civil matters, the Enforcement Section of TDI’s Legal and Compliance Program investigates allegations of illegal activities and takes enforcement action. 

Market Conduct

TDI’s Financial Program conducts on-site market conduct examinations of insurance companies, HMOs, and other insurance-related entities.  The Texas Insurance Code provides that examination work papers and reports and any information obtained during the course of an examination are confidential and are not subject to disclosure under the open records law and its subsequent amendments.  

Combating Insurance Fraud

TDI’s Fraud Unit enforces laws relating to fraudulent insurance acts.  To report fraud, call toll-free at 1-888-327-8818, or visit our Web site at http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fraud/index.html.  Our Fraud Unit works with other law enforcement agencies and state and federal prosecutors to pursue criminal prosecution of fraudulent insurance activity.  Fraudulent insurance acts are violations of penal laws that are: committed or attempted while engaging in the business of insurance, committed or attempted as part of or in support of an insurance transaction, or part of an attempt to defraud an insurer.  Texas Insurance Code §701.001.  The statute of limitations of specific offenses plays a key role in the timelines of completing investigations.  The Fraud Unit acknowledges receipt of reports of fraud within seven working days and updates the complainant at quarterly (90 day) intervals. 

   Fire Prevention, Fire Safety and Fire Industry Regulation

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.  In addition to staff located in the headquarters office, the SFMO deploys field staff throughout the state, permitting rapid response for investigations and inspections. 

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 (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 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    http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/fire/index.html   .  Key SFMO services include: 

Fire Safety Inspections

We respond to requests for inspections within 10 days, and to safety complaints within five days. 

Fire/Arson Investigations

Our goal is to respond to requests for fire investigations within 24 hours. 

Licensing

The SFMO licenses individuals and firms in the fire prevention and fireworks industries.  Our target is to process completed applications within 20 days of receipt. 

Fire Safety Education

We offer a number of services including fire prevention material and curricula, oversight to the public protection classification system, support to community,  juvenile fire setter intervention programs, and the Texas Fire Incident Reporting System.  General and specific fire safety education activities are also provided across the state.

Regulating and Administering the Texas Workers' Compensation System

Effective September 1, 2005, House Bill (HB) 7 (79th Legislature, Regular Session 2005) transferred functions of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (TWCC) to the newly created Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) at TDI.  The DWC provides a variety of services to Texas employees and employers about workers' compensation, including information and assistance with workers' compensation claims, self-insurance certification, education and training services, dispute resolution services, accident prevention services, and enforcement/compliance services. 

In addition, HB 7 created a new state agency, the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC), to provide assistance to injured employees, administer an ombudsman program, and advocate for injured employees as a class in the policy making process.  For information about the OIEC, you may visit their Web site at http://www.oiec.state.tx.us/. You may also contact OIEC toll free at 1-866-EZE-OIEC (393-6432).

Media Contact

The Public Information Office (PIO) serves as the agency's primary contact with the news media. It also responds to information requests from consumers, legislators, other insurance departments, and business and industry.  For the quickest response, general inquiries and requests for information should be sent by e-mail to .  You may also contact PIO by phone at 512-463-6425 or by fax at 512-463-6141.

TDI’s Internet Site

TDI’s PIO division is responsible for maintaining TDI’s Internet site, www.tdi.state.tx.us, and is committed to providing an Internet Web site that contains information of interest to its customers, research information, and information about the agency in general. TDI strives for a comprehensible, accessible and easy to use Web site that meets the informational needs of TDI’s diverse customer populations. Comments or suggestions about TDI’s Website should be emailed to or sent to the PIO division at the agency's mailing address.

Commissioner's Ombudsman

We set high standards for customer service and hope our service meets your expectations.  If it does not, we invite you to contact a supervisor or manager in the TDI program area or DWC field office providing that service.  The specific TDI program area and DWC field office staff have the expertise relating to your insurance issue, and it is likely that our program staff and management are the people who can best help you. 

If you are still not satisfied with the service you receive from the TDI program or DWC field office, you may contact TDI’s Commissioner’s Ombudsman or DWC's Customer Liaison:
TDI Commissioner's Ombudsman
Sylvia Myler
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas  78714-9104
512-475-1776  phone
512-475-2025  fax
e-mail:  .

DWC's Workers' Compensation Customer Liaison
Ceclie Norton
7551 Metro Center Drive, Suite 100
Austin, TX, 78744-1645
512-804-4253 phone

Customer Relations Representative

For questions or complaints about insurance-related matters, please contact TDI's Consumer Help Line at 1-800-252-3439 phone or 512-463-6515 in Austin.

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

512-305-6797 phone
512-463-6159  fax
e-mail:  CustomerRelations@tdi.state.tx.us .

For more information contact: