Latest Texas Headlines
All the headlines from our Texas Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Many Safety Issues Found Where Texas Oilfield Worker Died from Gas Leak
May 6 2021 // In its report on the Oct. 26, 2019, hydrogen sulfide gas release that killed a Texas oilfield worker and his wife, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) says it found multiple safety issues at the site where the incident...
Insurance Bills Begin to Move in Texas Legislature
May 5 2021 // Numerous insurance-related bills have been filed during the current Texas legislative session and many of them have begun moving in the Texas House and Senate. Among those bills that have recently been acted on and are of...
‘A-‘ Rating Assigned to Texas Insurers, Southlake Specialty and Westlake Specialty
May 5 2021 // AM Best has assigned a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” to Southlake Specialty Insurance Co. (SSIC) and its subsidiary, Westlake Specialty Insurance Co.,...
North, Central Texas Pummeled by Tornadoes, Hail
May 4 2021 // The National Weather Service in Fort Worth reported that its preliminary storm results survey from the severe weather that swept north and central Texas on May 3 showed two EF-2 tornadoes and three EF-0 tornadoes. The...
Texas Mutual to Distribute $330M in Policyholder Dividends
May 4 2021 // Workers’ compensation insurer, Texas Mutual Insurance Co., will distribute $330 million in policyholder dividends in June, the company said. More than 57,000 Texas business owners, representing approximately 79% of...
Texas Motorcyclist Crash Deaths Up by 17% in 2020
May 4 2021 // Despite less traffic on the road in 2020 and a 2% reduction in motorcycle crashes, there was a 17% increase in Texas motorcycle fatalities compared to 2019, state transportation officials say. The Texas Department of...
Experienced Insurance Provider Launches New Non-Standard Auto Program in Texas
May 4 2021 // IRVING, Tx., May 3, 2021 — Breckenridge Group has launched Breckenridge General Agency (BreckGen), a non-standard auto insurance managing general agency providing Texas insurance agents with a new outlet for affordable...
Insurvia Buys La Familia Agency in Texas
May 3 2021 // Insurvia, a Gemspring Capital portfolio company with holdings including Fiesta Insurance and Bravo General, has acquired La Familia Agency LLC, an independent insurance agency based in Dallas, Texas. La Familia Agency...
Paid Claims from Texas Winter Storm Up to $1.7 Billion
May 3 2021 // As of late March, Texas policyholders had filed 386,108 property and auto insurance claims related to the winter storm that blanketed the state in mid-February. That number reflects preliminary results from a data call...
Texas Supreme Court Sides with Farmers Insurance on Mold-Related Policy Changes
May 3 2021 // The Texas Supreme Court on April 9 reversed lower court rulings and found that Farmers Insurance was within its rights when it decided 19 years ago not to renew homeowners’ policies that it feared would have forced...
Texas, Oklahoma Hailstorms Likely Caused $3.5B in Damage: Accuweather
Apr 30 2021 // Violent spring storms packing high winds and large hailstones in Texas and Oklahoma on April 28 likely caused $3.5 billion in damage, according to Accuweather.com. Additionally, the National Weather Service confirmed an...
Texas Insured Who Paid Part of Settlement May Seek Recovery from Carrier
Apr 30 2021 // A woman who chipped in $100,000 toward a settlement after a car crash can sue her insurer to seek recovery of that cost, but cannot seek damages in excess of the policy limits for negligent failure to settle because there...
Texas House Passes Bill That Would Expand State’s Medical Cannabis Program
Apr 29 2021 // The Texas House gave approval on April 28 to a bill that would expand the state’s medical cannabis program to include those with chronic pain, all cancer patients and Texans suffering from PTSD. House Bill 1535, by...
Texas Q1 Surplus Lines Premium Up 20% Over 2020, Stamping Office Says
Apr 29 2021 // The Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLTX) reported that the state has seen record-breaking premiums in the first quarter of 2021, with a total of $2 billion in premium representing a 20.1% increase over the same...
Texas Bill Would Require Disclosure on ‘Occupational Insurance’ Policies
Apr 28 2021 // Texas legislation requiring an occupational insurance policy to include a specified disclosure statement clarifying the policy is not a workers’ compensation policy has passed the state House of...
U.S. Supreme Court Hands Texas Insurers a Win in Air Ambulance Billing Battle
Apr 28 2021 // A 2020 decision by the Supreme Court of Texas that limits workers’ compensation air ambulance payments to what is “fair and reasonable,” has been allowed to stand by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to...
Roadway Work Zone Fatalities Increased by 9% in Texas in 2020
Apr 27 2021 // The number of Texas work zone fatalities increased by 9% in 2020 compared to 2019, according to state transportation officials. Drivers and their passengers account for the majority of those who have died in work zone...
Texas Dredging Company Charged, Faces $200K Fine Over 2016 Oil Spill
Apr 26 2021 // A Texas-based dredging company has been charged with violating the Clean Water Act in connection with a coastal Louisiana oil spill in 2016 and faces a fine of up to $200,000, the Environmental Protection Agency...
Texas FAIR Plan Rate Increase Filings Approved
Apr 26 2021 // The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has approved the FAIR Plan’s rate changes. The changes resulted in overall statewide average rate increases for homeowners, dwelling, condominium and renters policies. On Jan....
NTSB: 2 of 6 Killed in Massive, Icy Texas Crash Had Exited Cars
Apr 23 2021 // Two of the six people killed in a massive crash involving about 130 vehicles on an icy Texas interstate in February were fatally struck after getting out of their vehicles, a federal agency reported on April 21. The...
