Senate Bill 1006 Hearing concerning Insurance Cancellations

March 8, 2025

The Business and Commerce held a hearing on Senate Bill 1006 filed by our Senator Mayes Middleton. I’ve been critical of the bill since all it will do is require an insurance company to send a letter to explain why they canceled your policy or denied you service. It does NOT require this information to be provided to the Texas Department of Insurance and made available to the public. You can view the entire meeting here starting at 1:19:30. Here is a recap:

  • The insurance companies are NOT in favor of this simple bill.
  • The insurance companies already are required to provide this information IF you ask.
  • Senator Zaffarini asked if this information concerning cancellations and denials are being collected by TDI. (They are not) The Houston Chronicle wrote a story on this problem.
  • FYI. The members of the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions, Allstate, Farmers, Farmers Bureau, USAA, Nationwide, and State Farm will NOT write new policies in our area.
  • This letter could help homeowners fight the insurance company if the reason for denial contains false information.

Hearing set for an insurance bill tomorrow. Send comments!

March 3, 2025

Get off your butt and do something! It is easy.

Our Senator Mayes Middleton filed SB1006. The hearing for SB1006 is scheduled for Tuesday March 4 starting at 10:00am in Austin. Our State Representative Dennis Paul filed a “companion” bill which is an exact duplicate. The bill will require an insurance company to write a letter to a policy holder if they deny or cancel your policy. That’s it. Nothing more. It will NOT lower our premiums or deductibles. Please send comments to the following with the subject line Comments on SB1006. Click here to email each. You can also call and and tell them you want to talk with someone about SB1006 in the Business and Commerce Committee. Send it to the following:

Senatoremail phone
Charles Schwertnercharles.schwertner@senate.texas.gov512-463-0105
Phil Kingphil.king@senate.texas.gov512-463-0110
Cesar Blancocesar.blanco@senate.texas.gov512-463-0129
Donna Campbelldonna.campbell@senate.texas.gov512-463-0125
Brandon Creightonbrandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov512-463-0104
Nathan Johnsonnathan.johnson@senate.texas.gov512-463-0116
Lois KolkhorstLois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov512-463-0118
Jose Menendezjose.menendez@senate.texas.gov512-463-0126
Robert Nicholsrobert.nichols@senate.texas.gov512-463-0103
Judith Zaffirinijudith.zaffirini@senate.texas.gov512-463-0121
Mayes Middletonmayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov512-463-0111

Easy cut and paste email addresses:
charles.schwertner@senate.texas.gov
phil.king@senate.texas.gov
cesar.blanco@senate.texas.gov
donna.campbell@senate.texas.gov
brandon.creighton@senate.texas.gov
nathan.johnson@senate.texas.gov
Lois.Kolkhorst@senate.texas.gov
jose.menendez@senate.texas.gov
robert.nichols@senate.texas.gov
judith.zaffirini@senate.texas.gov
mayes.middleton@senate.texas.gov
matt.patterson@senate.texas.gov

Here are some talking points:

  • We are in dire need of premium and deductible relief.
  • This bill will not reduce our premiums
  • This bill will not make our deductibles reasonable
  • At the very least this bill should require the insurance companies to report denial of service to the Department of Insurance and make this information public.

UPDATE: Bills addressing the rising cost of home insurance

February 6, 2025

Don’t get excited.

Bills addressing the rising cost of home insurance have been filed by our elected officials representing the Bay Area. Unfortunately the bills do not address the rising cost of home insurance. Here is a summary and contact info for our elected officials:

House Bill 2067 HB2067 is filed by our State Representative Dennis Paul. It will require an insurance company to provide to the policyholder a written statement on the reasons for nonrenewable or cancellation of a policy. This bill does NOT require the companies to report this information to the Texas Department of Insurance. Megan Kimble of The Houston Chronicle wrote an article about this cancellation data not being recorded by TDI. The bill will NOT reduce premiums or deductibles. I just don’t see the value of this bill.

Senate Bill 1006. SB1006 is filed by our State Senator Mayes Middleton a “companion bill”. It is the same as HB2067 and is filed to expedite its passing.

House Bill 2067. HB2067 is a bill filed by Representative Oliverson establishing a grant program to “fortify” homes against windstorm damage. This is promising but unlike the Alabama program created 15 years ago does not guarantee a reduction in premiums if a homeowners fortifies their home.

Contact our elected officials about these bills Please send a quick email and call our State Representative Dennis Paul and State Senator Mayes Middleton via their staff Greg.Bentch@house.texas.gov (512) 463-0734) and Matt.patterson@senate.texas.gov (512) 463-0111) respectfully.

Ask for a response. Ask how these bills will reduce your premiums, make deductibles reasonable without the loss of coverage or rights.


CliffNotes: State Affairs interim report on home insurance

January 27, 2025

I’ll save you the trouble of reading 4 pages.

The Texas House State Affairs Committee was charged to “Examine the impact of current economic challenges on the escalating costs of insurance premiums“. They held a hearing with invited testimony only. Many consumers, especially in this area, contacted the committee. I don’t think it helped. Here is a summary. The full report can be read here starting on page 70.

  • Only invited testimony was allowed including a lobbyist from the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions representing the top 6 insurers in the state.
  • In 2003 Texas adopted a “file and use” system allowing insurance companies to raise rates without prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
  • TDI has the rights to disapprove the rate increases but has rarely used this right
  • Climate change is being blamed for high insurance rates disguise as “Frequency of storms” and “Intensity of storms”
  • 60-70% of all premiums are used to pay out claims.
  • AARP testified concerning the hardship being placed on the elderly on fixed incomes
  • Oncor stated their insurance went from $10 Million to $60 Million in just a few years. This is passed on to consumers
  • Insurance companies are complaining about “reinsurance” which I believe is insurance for insurance companies.
  • Texas is NOT addressing non-renewals. They are not collecting this data. 5 of the 6 companies in the TCAIS will not cover the Bay Area
  • 4 Companies, including Progressive, have left the state
  • Legislators are concerned about the lack of transparency in rate increases

Recommendations:
This is disturbing. The outrageous cost of roofing after an event such as hail or a storm was not mentioned. There is evidence of price gouging concerning construction cost. They need to address it.

The recommendations included “Promote Risk Mitigation Programs:” such as the Fortify program Alabama adopted 15 years ago. A water downed bill has been filed on this issue.

They recommend providing tax funded backup to insurance companies to keep them in Texas. That doesnt make sense especially when they also recommend phasing out the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) and the Texas Fair Plan to allow the industry to provide these services. (They do NOT want to provide these services)

They also recommend educating homeowners and placing a surcharge on all insurance companies to pay out disaster claims.

As I said about the Senate report. This was underwhelming.


Raising Campaign Cash: State Representative Dennis Paul

January 17, 2025

Not promising for us concerned about home insurance.

State Representative Dennis Paul raised $55,905 in his latest reports covering the period of July-December 2024. That actually is one of his most productive reports. Of that total $54,600 or 98% came from PAC money and $1,304 came from 6 individual donors. Of these $8500 came from insurance related PACs. Paul sits on the House Insurance Committee.

During the same period he spent $39,049 with $22,500 going back to a number of PACs including Realtor PACs, USAA, General Contractors PAC, and BearBacker PAC. $15,000 went to pay off his outstanding $150,000 loan to win the seat over 10 years ago. He received $2500 from the BearBacker PAC then turned around and donated $2500 back to them. BearBacker PAC is related to the Baylor Bears according to their Facebook page.


Cliffnotes: Interim Report on Insurance from the Business and Commerce Committee

January 3, 2025

Underwhelming to say the least.

If you would like to read the report on the interim charges to the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee it is available online here starting on page 19. It is interim charge 7 titled “Addressing the Rising Cost of Insurance. It is only 2 pages. Here are my notes/thoughts.

  • The Committee held a hearing on Oct 1. The testimony was dominated by the industry.
  • Texas has the 2nd largest market in the nation bringing in $290 Billion in premiums.
  • The increase in premiums are due to climate change, inflation, labor expenses, supply chain disruptions and reinsurance (LOL. They are using climate change against us to increase our premiums. Inflation is well under control and has been for a while but it did NOT account for a doubling of premiums. Supply chain disruptions were corrected years ago.)
  • They ignored the inflated cost of roofing after an event such as hail or extreme weather. Why does a roof cost $24,000 to replace after an event, but only $6000 at other times?
  • They blame us for not “shopping around”.
  • TDI stated only 4 companies left Texas in 2024 but ignored comments from area such as the Bay Area where 5 of 6 members of the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) will not longer write policies.
  • There was a significant uptick in the Texas Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) Plan from 72,626 to 91,841 from 2003 to 2024.
  • TDI claims homeowners in Texas saw an average rate increase of 21% in 2023. I’m not sure if that is a rise in rates or premiums which are two different things.
  • TDI reviewed 1313 rate filings with 107 filings withdrawn, 78 rejected for administrative discrepancies. They did not disclose how many rate increases were rejected by TDI.
  • The recommendations are basic if not ridiculous.
    • Implement guardrails to protect against unfair pricing practices, which could include, but is not limited to, rate filings and premiums assessed to policyholders.
    • Support the efforts of both TDI and OPIC to improve notice to policyholders about rate changes, coverage reductions, and comparison-shopping tools.


Community Meeting on the rising cost of Home Insurance

January 2, 2025

I have secured the Webster Activity Center on Jan 7, 2025 for another community meeting to discuss and take action concerning the rising cost of home insurance in our area. We will focus on the upcoming legislative session and how we can take the opportunity to influence our elected officials. For those who are not aware this session begins Jan 14 and will continue till June 2

Our elected officials have been invited to attend and discuss what we can do. Please save the date, invite your neighbors, and I will see you Tuesday. Preliminary agenda:

  • Short recap of the last meeting
  • Update on upcoming legislation
  • How can we participate in the process
  • Open forum, Q&A

Join our newsletter at www.tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston

Tuesday Jan 7, 2005 6:00PM-8:00PM
Webster Activity Center
311 Pennsylvania Ave
Webster Texas 77598


The cost of price gouging after a weather event. Bags of ice. Gasoline. Roof repairs.

December 19, 2024

And you wonder why your insurance premiums are so high?

I filed a claim for roof damage after Hurricane Ike in 2008. I received about $5000 from USAA, my insurance company at the time. Bids for the roof replacement ranged from $10,000-$16,000. At the time I did not have the extra funds to pay for the roof and since there was no leaks I put the repairs off for 2 years.

In 2010 I had my roof replaced for $4800. One of the companies that quoted over $10,000 in 2008 provided a quote of $6800 in 2010. At the time I knew the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance and mentioned the price gouging after a hearing in Austin. Soon afterward he left the Commission and I ended my consumer activism.

So here we are in 2024 and I filed a claim for hail damage. Eventually I had my roof replaced for a cost that was listed at $24,000 about 5 times what I paid in 2010 just 14 years ago. I’ve heard from others in my subdivision whose estimates were even higher, $32,000 for one homeowner. What is disturbing is that the insurance companies are paying these inflated prices. It’s a win-win for the roofer and the insurance company who can simply pass the inflated cost to consumers in higher premiums. Everyone is happy except for the consumer.

Last year Harris County Attorney filed a number of suits resulting in settlements for price gouging of gasoline. According to Houston Public Media:

The Bellaire location allegedly sold regular unleaded gasoline for $3.79 and $4.29 per gallon, an increase of 25% and 41% respectively from the gas station’s pre-hurricane price of $3.03. The Baytown location was allegedly selling premium gasoline for $5.49 per gallon, which is 44% higher than the gas station’s pre-hurricane price of $3.80.

Price gouging after an event like a hurricane is illegal. Raising the cost of a gallon of gas by 40 cents can be considered price gouging and could be investigated by the County Attorney. Charging 2 to 4 times the regular price for a roof should be considered price gouging.

I’ve asked the County Attorney to investigate.


Texas Homeowners Left Behind: The Insurance Crisis

December 18, 2024

This should really piss you off.

Sixteen years ago States along the coast began implementing a plan called Fortified, including Alabama. According to an article written by Megan Kimble of the Houston Chronicle: “Alabama offers $10,000 grants to homeowners to upgrade their roofs – and requires insurers to give discounts of 25% to 55% to those who do”. That program started 16 years ago!! What the hell did elected officials in Texas do?

Nothing. Not a goddamn thing and now we are paying for it. Literally. We are now in crisis mode with premiums out the roof, excessive deductibles, and companies threatening to leave the Sate. In the upcoming legislative session bills will be filed to protect the insurance industry at our expense. While other States were actively working to lower the risk our elected officials did nothing to protect our homes. This article is another in her series concerning home insurance. It’s a VERY good read. I should be available to read here. It might make you mad. Let me summarize:

  • While other states on the coast, like Alabama, took action 15 years ago to reduce the risk to homeowners, Texas did nothing, at all, except pass the cost of the risk to consumers.
  • Other states give incentives to homeowners to “fortify” their homes and requires reduced insurance premiums.
  • A bill has been filed in Texas to create a program similar to Alabama’s “Fortified” but does NOT require a reduction in premiums
  • Of the country’s 70,000 Fortified homes, only 200 are in Texas and half of those were built by Habitat for Humanity.
  • While Texas officials were busy cutting regulations and chasing social issues we were left to find our own insurance solutions.
  • I love this quote “Home builders along the coast say they already follow stringent building standards and don’t need more.”
  • “In coastal Alabama and North Carolina – both states that incentivize Fortified standards – researchers say homes certified through the program have shown a 20% reduction in losses compared to non-Fortified homes.”
  • Alabama offers $10,000 grants to homeowners to upgrade their roofs – and requires insurers to give discounts of 25% to 55% to those who do. That program started 16 years ago!!

So take some time to read the article then make plans to attend our next meeting.


The Rising Cost of Insurance. CCISD

December 16, 2024

This isn’t right.

As said before the rising cost of property insurance is affecting everyone in the Bay Area, including taxpayers. According to an open records request CCISD’s property insurance doubled in just five years from 2019-2024. In 2019 CCISD’s property and flood was $3.3M. In 2024 it was $6.6M. This is not solely due to inflation. There is much more to this increase than inflation.

Everyone is paying for the rising cost of insurance including homeowners, businesses, government entities and taxpayers. Come join us next year to have a discussion with elected officials.


The Texas Fair Plan, another last resort

December 10, 2024

Homeowners in the Clear Lake area should take some time to read the article by the Houston Chronicle, “Home insurance costs are soaring. Here’s what to know about the Texas Fair Plan Association“. TFPA might be providing your insurance in the near future.

In 1971 Texas created the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). It was advertised as the insurance of last resort covering those in the coastal areas who could not find insurance from the private sector. In 1995 Texas created the Texas Fair Plan Association (TFPA). It was advertised as the insurance of last resort covering those in the under served areas who could not find insurance from the private sector. Sound familiar?

Up until 2003 TWIA was providing service to a small number of property owners. Now it isn’t the last resort. It’s almost the only resort. Private insurance companies have fled the coastal areas leaving most owners to seek coverage from TWIA. I have little knowledge of TWIA, except that they are a non-profit organization and sell policies just like the private sector. TWIA issues detailed yearly assessments of their policies and financial situation. They are transparent to the public. When they ask for a 10% increase in rates they can prove it with data, data that is publicly available.

When did you ever see your insurance company justify their 25% increase or the reason why they will not renew your policy? As with TWIA I know little about the Texas Fair Plan except that they are managed by TWIA and like TWIA they are the insurance of last resort. They are also transparent and a non-profit. I think homeowners in the Clear Lake area should read the articles about the TFPA because it may become the last resort. 5 of the 6 largest insurance companies in Texas that make up the Texans for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) will no longer write policies in the Clear Lake area.

Maybe it is time for all insurance companies to leave the state and let the non-profits provide service.


CliffNotes on the Houston Chronicle’s article on home insurance

December 5, 2024
Photo by Houston Chronicle Jon Shapley

The articles by Houston Chronicle reporter, Megan Kimble, concerning the rising cost of home insurance are lengthy yet highly informative reads. If you can access the articles, take some time to read them. Here are my thoughts on the article:

Elected officials are not immune from increases. Senator Tan Parker out of the Dallas area says he was dropped by his company and is now paying three times as much for his insurance. State Rep. John Smithee, an Amarillo Republican had his premiums raised by 40% last year. He authored the insurance bills of 2003. Our own State Representative had his roof replaced last month. I am sure he has felt the pinch.

Our elected officials are missing in action. Where are our State officials? Our Representative, Dennis Paul, sits on the Insurance Committee. Where has he been? In office for 10 years he has NEVER convened a town hall meeting to address the issues of the community. We are now in crisis mode and he has still refused to respond to his constituents except for form letter responses if even that. The same can be said about our State Senator Mayes Middleton. Both have been asked to address the community at our Jan 7th meeting.

Climate Change. For decades the industry and elected officials have denied climate change but are now claiming that is the main factor in the rising cost of insurance. So they did nothing over the last 20 years to minimize the risk due to climate change and are now passing the consequences on to us.

Rates vs Premiums. This wasn’t specifically discussed in the articles but realize rates and the cost to rebuild determines your premium. So when the Texas Department of Insurance says that rates only went up by 21% over the last few years that might be true but the cost to rebuild has skyrocketed as has your premiums. Case in point USAA based the cost to rebuild my home at $645,000 driving my premium up over $15,000. Your deductible is also based upon a percentage of the cost to rebuild.

The Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. They are quoted in the article. They are a lobbyist group funded by the top 6 insurance companies in Texas. Over the last 20 years they have done NOTHING to find solutions for affordability. I have written about them here. The same lobbyist quoted in the article was the same one leading the fight to reform insurance back in 2023.

Lowering the risk and damage. Other states have been proactive in addressing the issue by encouraging better storm resistant products for homes and roofs. They have created incentives for homeowners to use these products. Texas has done nothing over the last 20 years. Even our HOAs can refused the use of these products and the State will do nothing to stop them from enforcing it. There are hail resistant roofs available, even metal ones, and water cut off valves that could detect a leak and prevent damages to a home due to busted pipes. The industry along with our elected officials are finally discussing these possible solutions, 20 years too late. There have been fills filed to address this issue but the Republic Party in the Senate killed them.

Inflation. Yes some of the increases can be attributed to inflation but it is NOT responsible for a 50% increase or a 100% increase. This, along with climate change, are a great excuses to justify dropping your coverage or over charging. Inflation is now under 3%.

Surge Pricing. This wasn’t discussed in the articles but it is real. Why does a roof cost $30,000 when it usually would cost just $8,000? In 2008 after hurricane Ike bids for a new roof ranged from $10,000-$15,000. I had my roof replace two years later for $4800. This year after a hail storm bids were coming in at $23,000 for the cheapest roof. My roofer eventually quoted $24,000. This needs to be addressed.


Save the date: Community meeting on the rising cost of home insurance

November 30, 2024

I have secured the Webster Activity Center on Jan 7, 2025 for another community meeting to discuss and take action concerning the rising cost of home insurance in our area. We will focus on the upcoming legislative session and how we can take the opportunity to influence our elected officials. For those who are not aware this session begins Jan 14 and will continue til June 2

Our elected officials have been invited to attend and discuss what we can do. Please save the date, invite your neighbors, and I will see you after the holidays.

Spread the word

Thank you for staying engaged. As of today we have almost 700 individuals who have signed up for for our newsletter. I am now expanding this activity to statewide. Please spread the word and invite your friends to join this list at tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston. Also you can post this information on your social media platforms including Facebook and Nextdoor. 

Thank you for your interest in this issue!

Video and Handouts from our 1st Community meeting

Here is a great summary video provided by Texas Watch. 3 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkdozpsekjI

Here is a video of the complete meeting. About 1.5 hours https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGOWuMEj5o8

Here is the presentation by Ware Wendall of Texas Watch, Property Insurance. Paying More for Less.  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/id7g4tgq2m1ghdxgids7f/Property-Insurance_Paying-More-for-Less_Texas-Watch_Seabrook_June-2024.pdf?rlkey=mrl3p4vvggqa6w6vxvln07yh4&st=c0835w7x&dl=0

Here is my presentation, History of Insurance Reform. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/y55gpoaj31srmzko5xwof/Insurance-presentation.pdf?rlkey=czkomo60pcwpj8euy0n9z26j5&st=cwsnje32&dl=0


How to lobby elected officials (on home insurance)

November 18, 2024

If there is a guide on “How to lobby elected officials” I have not found it. So I will give you an idea of what we could do just based upon my experience as a consumer activist years ago. I don’t expect to know it all so if you have ideas, I am all ears.

  1. Be focused. Stay on message. For the insurance issue the message should be very clear: We want our premiums to be lowered, our deductibles to return to a fixed amount not more than $1000, and we do NOT want a deduction in coverage.
  2. Develop a relationship to your elected official or their staff. Call your elected official in Austin and ask for the staff member assigned to insurance issues. Ask for an email address. Then keep in touch. Make sure you send them any information you think is important to the issue. For our area contact Greg Bentch at greg.bentch@house.texas.gov with State Representative Dennis Paul and Matt Patterson at matt.patterson@senate.texas.gov with Senator Mayes Middleton’s office.
  3. Contact the members of the specific committee that will hear the bill(s) you are concerned about. The insurance bills in the House will most probably be assigned to the State Affairs Committee. The Chair lives in the Corpus Christi area and has an interest in this issue. I have collected the contact information for the members. I have listed them below. Again, contact each one with your specific information. If you can, call and email them.
  4. Visit your elected officials office. Make an appointment in the district. Talk with someone about your insurance issue. Dennis Paul’s office is at 17225 El Camino Real Blvd Suite 415 (281) 488-8900. Senator Middleton’s office is at 174 Calder Road Suite 900 League City, TX 77573 (281) 332-1000
  5. Spend a day in Austin. What I have done in the past was to make appointments with the staff members of the elected officials on the committee. The State Affairs Committee has 13 members. If you spend 15 minutes with each you might talk to all of them in 1 full day. That is a tough day. When you visit make sure you have a written copy of what you intend to talk about. Keep it to the point. Make sure they hear and understand our message.
  6. Attend a hearing. This will be covered in a later email.

So. You can start now. Here are some important contacts:

State Representative Dennis Paul
Insurance Committee
C/O Greg Bench
greg.bentch@house.texas.gov
(512) 463-0734 Austin phone
17225 El Camino Real Blvd Suite 415 
(281) 488-8900. 

Senator Mayes Middleton
Business and Commerce Committee
C/O Matt Patterson
(512) 463-0111 Austin Phone
174 Calder Road Suite 900 
League City, TX 77573 
(281) 332-1000

You can find the contact info for members of the State Affairs Committee here. They will be hearing the bills.

I am working on the Business and Commerce Committee.


Join the Fight Against Rising Home Insurance Rates

October 30, 2024

The Rising Cost of our Home Insurance

From 1995 to 2010 I was a self proclaimed consumer activist focusing on helping new homeowners with construction defects. I spent many days in Austin talking with our elected officials, attending hearings, and advocating for homeowners. I have come out of “retirement” to address another problem affecting homeowners, business owners, realtors, insurance agents, and taxpayers; the rising cost of insurance.

I have lived in Bay Knoll for over 35 years and have witnessed massive insurance reforms in 2003 and the affects on our community. If you have recently renewed your insurance policy it is clear these reforms did not work. The insurance industry has millions of dollars to spend lobbying our elected officials. They are blaming everything on inflation, cost of goods, supply chain, and lawsuits. These have contributed to the rise in insurance but it hasn’t contributed to premiums doubling and deductibles going through the roof. There is much more to this issue and personally I am just tired of the excuses. I want solutions.

If you are concerned about this issue I ask that you join my newsletter and keep informed of how you can participation. I am currently working on a meeting with our elected officials. State Representative Dennis Paul sits on the Insurance Committee and our Senator Mayes Middleton sits on the Business and Commerce Committee. Both of these committees will be addressing this issue in 2005.

Join us to find solutions to this problem. Sign up at  www.tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston.


WANTED: Houston Chronicle wants to hear from owners about property insurance

October 8, 2024

Megan Kimble of the Austin division of the Houston Chronicle is working on an investigative report on the insurance crisis in Texas. She would like to talk to home and business owners in the Bay Area. This is a GREAT opportunity to put pressure on our elected officials to do something to resolve this problem. She wrote:

“It’d be great if you might share my contact information with your listserv. I’m interested to talk to homeowners who have seen their home insurance premiums increase significantly, as well as those who have opted to drop coverage altogether because of the cost. Anyone who is interested to speak with me can reach out directly.”

Megan Kimble
Texas Political Economy Reporter
512.298.2385 (cell)
megan.kimble@houstonchronicle.com

Spread the word
As of today we have about 600 individuals who have signed up for my newsletter addressing the rising cost of home insurance. Please spread the word and invited your friends to join the list at tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston. Also you can post this information on your social media platforms including Facebook and Nextdoor.

How can you help? Forward the link to sign up for updates and recruit your friends and neighbors. The link is: www.tinyurl.com/BayAreaHouston.

Thank you for your interest in this issue!

John Cobarruvias
john.cobarruvias@gmail.com
281-536-2457


Biden to bail out Abbott to fix the electrical grid

October 5, 2024

Texas Strong my ass.

The Federal Government is bailing out Texas, again, this time to help connect Texas to the Southeast grids. So much for “Texas Strong” but in the end we will get a more fortified grid when we need it. According to Electrek:

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announces $1.5B for four transmission projects – including connecting the Texas grid to the Southeast grids for the first time ever.

The projects, spanning multiple states, will add nearly 1,000 miles of new transmission lines and increase grid capacity by 7,100 megawatts (MW). They’ll boost grid reliability, lower energy costs, and support the clean energy transition.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott was seen at the border with his hand out begging for help. Of this $1.5 B about $350 Million will be allocated to Texas. Texas grid was wrecked back in 2021 leaving millions without power during a heavy freeze for 4 days. Hundreds died. Insurance claims for ruptured pipes and damage to the homes skyrocketed. Yet Abbott did nothing. He passed the cost of these repairs to the grid on to the consumers.

With a $350 M donation to Texas will fund the Southern Spirit:

Southern Spirit (Texas to Mississippi): This is a REALLY. BIG. DEAL. Spanning 320 miles, this HVDC line will link Texas’ isolated ERCOT grid with the Southeast grids for the first time, adding 3,000 MW of bidirectional capacity across Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It’s designed to prevent outages like the ones during Winter Storm Uri that hit Texas hard in 2021. It’s expected to create 850 construction jobs and 305 permanent jobs.

Stupid Texas.


Exposing The Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions

September 9, 2024

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.


Texas lawmakers want to hear your thoughts on home insurance policies

September 7, 2024

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


Public Hearings on Home Insurance Coming to Galveston

September 4, 2024

It’s time we either stand up and make your voice heard or sit down and shut the hell up.

The Texas Department of Insurance will have a hearing concerning the proposed 10% increase in TWIA premiums in Galveston Sept 27, 2024. Lobbyists for the insurance industry will be out in force recruiting individuals to speak justifying the rate increase. Consumers will have their chance to make their voices heard by either attending in person or submitting comments electronically.

TAKE A FEW MINUTES AND TAKE ACTION. Or quit complaining.

You can give TDI your feedback at public meetings or by giving us written comments.

Attend public meetings

  • Monday, Sept. 23 at 9 a.m.
    Moody Gardens Galveston Island
    7 Hope Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77554

Submit written comments
You can also comment or give information about the filing. TDI must have the information by 5 p.m. Central time on Oct. 1, 2024.

Email: TWIARateComments@tdi.texas.gov

Mail:
Texas Department of Insurance
Office of the Chief Clerk
MC-GC CCO 
P.O. Box 12030
Austin, TX 78711-2030