In the midst of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has announced that it will not require insurers or HMOs to file a corporate governance annual disclosure this year.
Read MoreTexas Governor Gregg Abbott on March 31, 2020, issued Executive Order GA 14 renewing social distancing guidelines in Texas. Of particular significance to the insurance industry, the Governor’s Order adopted U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance establishing insurance services as “essential services” and classifying members of the insurance industry as federally identified “essential critical infrastructure workers” under the broader heading of “Financial Services.”
Read MoreThe Texas Department of Insurance has posted a bulletin announcing the extension of selected filing deadlines and a modification of filing requirements for reporting insurers.
Read MoreIn Richards v. State Farm Lloyds, — S.W.3d —, 2020 WL 1313782 (Tex. Mar. 20, 2020), the Texas Supreme Court answered a certified question from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals about the scope of an insurer’s duty to defend its insured against third-party claims. In determining whether an insurer has a duty to defend, Texas generally uses the “eight corners rule,” under which an insurer’s duty to defend is determined by comparing the claims alleged within the four corners of the petition with the coverage provided within the four corners of the policy.
Read MoreBased on orders issued by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in response to COVID-19, the Texas Department of Insurance has announced that certain licensing requirements and fees have been suspended for Texas-licensed insurance agents, adjusters, title agents, escrow officers, life settlement brokers, and life settlement providers.
Read MoreThe Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has announced that the claims-handling deadlines imposed by Texas prompt-payment laws are extended by 15 days. The extension will assist carriers in responding to the Coronavirus pandemic and results from the combined operation of actions taken by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan.
Read MoreIn response to the outbreak of Covid-19, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has issued almost daily updates for insurance companies, agents, and other regulated parties. Some of the steps TDI has taken which are of interest to the industry include the following
Read MoreThe Texas Department of Insurance (“TDI”) has issued a warning about certain unauthorized insurance and the liability that can attach to third-party administrators (“TPAs”) and insurance agents that are involved in unauthorized insurance transactions, even when those parties hold valid TDI licenses.
Read MoreTexas’ legislature is considering bills that would amend Texas’ insurance code to clarify that eligible surplus lines insurers may offer windstorm and hail insurance in areas already served by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (“TWIA”).
Read MoreCurrent Texas Insurance Commissioner Kent Sullivan has been appointed to a second term by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Sullivan’s new term, which is subject to Senate Confirmation, expires on February 1, 2021.
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