Texas Republicans Want to Protect Big Insurance Companies and TWIA, But Not People – The Texas Legislature is considering passing two House bills that would give big insurance companies immunity for deceptive practices against you as a policyholder, are Rep. John Smithee’s (R-Amarillo) HB272 and Rep. Larry Taylor’s (R-Friendswood) HB2818. These misguided bills, although specific to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, would severely harm all insurance policyholders’ ability to hold some insurance companies accountable.
HB 272
HB2818
The Senate also filed several bills stripping you of the same constitutional right, as the policyholder, of a trial by jury. Some bills even go further to charge you higher premiums if you refuse binding arbitration.
SB 1123
SB 1432
SB 1740
SB 1842
SB 1889
Two bills that would increase transparency and accountability at TWIA were filed by Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) and Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston). Both bills required open public access to TWIA board meetings, annual review of TWIA practices to ensure compliance with the law and posting of salary and bonuses of TWIA employees, vendors and contractors. Coastal residents traveled to Austin to testify in favor of both bills.
HB 3613
SB 1797
Here are news stories related to these bills:
Houston Chronicle: Insurers’ group dropped ball on fraud, Texas officials say
The Daily News Galveston: Eiland not on board with proposed TWIA bills
Houston Chronicle: Windstorm insurer replaces general manager
Austin Statesman: Windstorm agency ‘hazardous to public’
Texas Tribune: TWIA Calls Emergency Meeting on Oversight
KHOU News Station, Houston: State politicians profits from insurance agency he ‘watchdogs’
KHOU News State, Houston: Internal memos reveal controversy brewing for hurricane insurance
Beaumont Enterprise: Windstorm association seeks state immunity
Houston Chronicle: TWIA policyholders ‘losers of the year
Regards,
Jim
Andy Hailey