They are NOT our friends.

In 2002 the top insurance companies in Texas formed the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) in preparation for massive insurance reform in the 2003 legislature session. They are not registered with the Texas Ethics Commission so we cannot see how much money these companies have poured into this organization. In 2003 they successfully lobbied against consumers resulting in major changes to insurance laws. Twenty years later the insurance industry is in disarray with consumers paying the price. Now they are at it again.

TCAIS is composed of 6 of the largest insurance companies in Texas, Allstate, Farmers, Farmers Bureau, USAA, Nationwide, and State Farm. Of these only USAA will offer policies in the Bay Area and their rates are ridiculous. USAA quoted me $15,000/year with a $13,000 deductible. The others would not offer a policy.

TCAIS is lobbying our elected officials already. They have been invited to speak at every insurance meeting to date. Floyd Beaman, their spokesman, was recently on KPRC making excuses for the insurance industry and telling us to “shop around” as if that was some kind of new thing to do. In a hearing last month they used the word “unsustainable” something we have been saying for 10 years now.

So if you want to have any say in how insurance will be reformed you need to contact the State Affairs Committee and demand reforms that will lower your premiums and set deductibles at a reasonable rate. You can do that here.

From KPRC Houston:

Consumer advocate John Cobarruvias urges people impacted by rising claims, non-renewals, or other issues to submit comments to state legislators.

“This is your opportunity to make something happen in our favor,” Cobarruvias said. “Our premiums are too high. Our deductibles are out the roof. And this is not sustainable. We’ve got to do something.”

KPRC interviewed Floyd Beaman. He is a lobbyist for Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. They are composed of 6 of the largest insurance companies in Texas, USAA, Farmers, Farmers Bureau, Nationwide, Allstate, and State Farm. Of those only USAA will write policies in the Bay Area. The insurance companies see blood in the water and will lobby heavily to make it easier for them to make money and charge you more.

So what can you do?
Either stand up and speak out, or sit down and shut the hell up. The first hearing will be by the State Affairs Committee on Sept 17, 2024. Details on how you can participate in person or by sending comments can be found here. You can send your comments electronically at this link: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c450 Fill out the top form then scroll down and select “Economic challenges impacting insurance premiums”.

Here are some tips on what you should include in your comments:

• The area of the state you live in such as coastal counties
• What you are currently paying for insurance
• The costs of any new policies or bids
• Your Deductibles in dollars
• Any claims you have had
• Cost of repairs
• If your current company will not renew your policy
• Keep it short and with a statement of “Our premiums are too high. Our deductible are out the roof. This is not sustainable”.
• Stay non confrontational. Refrain from “I’m going to vote you out if you don’t do something” type of comments
• Demand that they take action

Thank you for your interest in this issue! Please invite others to join us in address this situation. They can join our newsletter attinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston