The Texas Insurance Podcast

When you visit a doctor or other medical provider, your health plan sends you an explanation of benefits (EOB) . This document shows what services were billed, what your health plan covered, and what costs you may need to pay.  How can I tell the difference between an EOB and a medical bill?   An EOB isn’t a bill. The EOB might show the portion of costs you could owe, such as your deductible, copa...

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) makes sure insurance companies and agents follow state law. When they don't, the Fraud and Enforcement Division steps in to protect consumers, stop illegal activity, and help Texans get the money owed to them. Here are answers to common questions about how the division holds the insurance industry accountable in a fair and transparent way. How are insura...

Las tormentas pueden llegar rápidamente, pero un poco de preparación puede ser de gran ayuda. Descubra cómo los texanos pueden proteger sus viviendas, determinar sus necesidades de seguro y obtener ayuda después de un desastre .   Revise su cobertura de seguro   Ya sea por la temporada de huracanes, inundaciones, tornados o granizadas, es importante contar con la cobertura de seguro adecuada. Preg...

Storms can hit fast, but a little preparation goes a long way. Find out how Texans can protect their homes, understand their insurance needs, and get help after a disaster .   Review your insurance coverage   Whether you’re facing hurricane season, floods, tornadoes, or hailstorms, the right insurance coverage matters. Ask yourself:  Can I afford my deductible?  Will I need a hotel if my home is d...

Every second counts during a fire and having a clear exit strategy saves lives —whether you’re at home, a hotel, or a business. Knowing how fast fires can spread and preparing before an emergency strikes are the best ways to protect yourself and your family in an emergency. Why is it important to have an exit strategy ? When a fire starts, you don’t have time to figure out what to do. You may have...

If you’re an insurance agent or adjuster with questions about licensing in Texas, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re applying for your first license or preparing for renewal, this guide answers the most common questions about Texas insurance licensing. How long does it take TDI to review my insurance license application? The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) typically reviews license appl...

Find out about lesser-known benefits, learn where to get coverage details, and connect with trusted resources for more help. What are some health plan benefits people don’t know about? Some health plans offer wellness programs , gym membership discounts, smoking cessation programs , and certain diabetes equipment. Will my plan pay for online doctor’s visits? It’s common for health plans to offer c...

Learn what you can do to stay safe when you hit the road this winter with the Texas Department of Public Safety . What do people need to know about Texas roads in the winter? Even though the weather looks clear, when the temperature dips below freezing, bridges and overpasses can form black ice that you can't see. What is a big factor in winter driving accidents? Tires play a big role in how w...

Get answers to your biggest questions about shopping for a health plan. Where do most people get health insurance? Many people get health coverage through an employer, such as your job, your spouse's job, or a parent’s job (an option until you turn 26). Others buy it through HealthCare.gov , where you might qualify for an income-based tax credit to lower your premium. What should you look for...

Lithium-ion battery devices are just about everywhere in our homes, from smartphones to cordless power tools. While the devices are convenient, it’s important to know safety tips to prevent lithium-ion batteries from overheating and starting a fire . What should I look for when buying rechargeable items? Look for a safety certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory like UL (Under...

TDI’s Fraud Unit has a team of investigators that look into reports of insurance fraud to build cases they can send county district attorneys for prosecution and potential punishment.  What kind of training do insurance fraud investigators have?  The investigators are licensed peace officers and most of them previously worked in other law enforcement roles. They learned to gather facts, interview...

The Texas Department of Insurance Help Line, 800-252-3439, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. Experts are available in English, Spanish, and other languages. Who can call TDI’s Help Line? People call the Help Line with almost any question about insurance in Texas. Experts are ready to answer your questions or they can tell you how to get what you seek. How many calls does the Hel...

Since 1993, the State Fire Marshal's Office (SFMO) has called on man's "best friend" to help in its investigations. Canine teams help determine the presence of ignitable liquids, such as gasoline, at fire scenes.  How many dogs help SFMO handlers detect substances that may have been used to start or spread fires?  Five dogs live with their respective handlers, who live in differe...

Home and car safety kits can help you survive an emergency. Why do I need an emergency kit? Texas often faces weather or fire disasters. Residents sometimes need to leave home in a hurry. An emergency kit helps you and your family prepare for the worst. What should be in my home emergency kit? Essentials such as food and a supply of water, a gallon a person a day for three days to start. You’re al...

Los kits de emergencia para la casa y el auto pueden ayudarle a sobrevivir en caso de emergencia. ¿Por qué necesito un kit de emergencia? Texas se enfrenta a menudo a catástrofes meteorológicas o incendios. Los residentes a veces tienen que salir de la casa inmediatamente. Un kit de emergencia le ayuda a usted y a su familia a prepararse para lo peor. ¿Qué debe de incluir mi kit de emergencia de l...

Making your home stronger can protect your property and your family if a severe storm hits.  What does “home hardening” mean?  Home hardening makes your home stronger to withstand severe weather. This can help avoid costly insurance claims. Less costly claims can also mean lower insurance costs.  What is the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety’s role in home hardening?  The Insurance...

TDI recently launched its Spanish index page with links to 300 consumer pages. Lorna Camacho from TDI’s Communications team translated the insurance content for Spanish speakers. We asked about TDI’s efforts to share consumer tips in Spanish. How long did it take TDI to translate the consumer content to Spanish?  It took about two years. Lorna focused first on the most popular pages, like severe w...

Five lawyers in TDI’s Fraud Unit work in district attorney’s (DA) offices in Tarrant, Bexar, Dallas, Harris, and Travis counties to prosecute insurance fraud. The program’s chief prosecutor, Kyson Johnson, helped start the program 20 years ago. What value does TDI bring to DA’s offices? TDI’s embedded lawyers know about complex insurance issues and can rely on TDI staff to help answer detailed que...

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) grades cities and counties on their fire protection capability. Insurance companies use this Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating when they decide where they’ll sell home policies and how much to charge.  What does the ISO look at to set a fire department’s PPC rating?  They also look at the water department and supply, emergency communications, communi...

Save headaches and money by taking steps now to get your home and car ready for winter . How do I start to winterize my home? Start at the top with your roof. Check for damaged or missing shingles. You don’t want water or ice to get under your shingles and leak into your house. Roof damage can be expensive. Also check your gutters. Remove debris and leaves that can clog and cause water damage. Sho...

TDI’s Fraud Unit has investigators, prosecutors, fraud examiners, attorneys, and support staff. Vivian Cervantez’s job is performing financial analysis and forensic accounting services. As a financial analyst, her efforts help investigate cases of insurance fraud. What kind of work does a fraud analyst do?  We’re examining a lot of data and looking for unusual patterns. A fraud analyst’s work can...

You have about two minutes to get out of a burning house from the second your smoke alarm goes off. It’s critical your alarm works. How many smoke alarms should I have? You should have enough smoke alarms for everyone to hear in every area of your house. You should have them on every level of your home and inside and outside every sleeping area. Test your alarms during the day and again at night t...

When you file a home insurance claim, you can also get paid for any personal property that was stolen or destroyed. Your agent or company will ask if you have a home inventory .  Why do I need a home inventory?  A home inventory is a way to help you remember what you own. By taking pictures or writing it down, you can remember the TVs, light fixtures, silverware, clothes, furniture, and more.  How...

Sgt. Steve Richardson led the TDI Fraud Unit’s investigation into William Neil “Doc” Gallagher , a radio host in the Dallas area. Gallagher, known as the “Money Doctor,” targeted seniors to surrender their annuities and give him the money to “invest.” In 2020, Gallagher was convicted of securities fraud, theft, and money laundering, all first-degree felonies. He got three life terms and was ordere...

Summers in Texas usually means cooking on a campfire or barbecue. Learn more about keeping your family safe while cooking outdoors. What’s the danger with campfires? The main danger is that the fire will get out of control and spread. The first precaution you should take is to ask if fires are allowed. Even if the campground allows fires, there might be a burn ban in the area. Where’s the best pla...