Affordability and claims handling main concerns in Texas DI survey of consumers
Auto and homeowner insurance consumers told the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) they are facing affordability and claims handling issues via a survey that ended in July.
The TDI started the “Speak Up, Texas” campaign in March and received more than 200 responses online and in person.
“Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas,” said Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford in a press release. “Your insights truly matter, and your voices will help shape the recommendations we bring to lawmakers. Together, we’re building solutions that make a real difference for Texas families.”
The feedback will be used to develop recommendations for lawmakers ahead of the legislative session that starts in January. TDI will also implement ideas within its current authority when feasible, the release states.
Insurance companies will be encouraged to identify ways they can improve.
TDI has released ideas it has developed for auto insurance based on the feedback. This includes insurance companies providing understandable breakdowns of pricing factors and coverage.
Several ideas focused on how premium rates are determined, such as prohibiting credit score use, an age-based pricing review, mileage-based pricing, senior discounts, driver-safety education discounts, and rewards for good driving and loyalty.
Another section focused on claims and repairs. This includes assigning a designated claims specialist, protecting digital-document integrity, and disclosing adjuster-license information. Another idea would be to regulate storage charges and define the prevailing auto repair labor rate in the insurance code.
The TDI also identified enforcement and road safety ideas.
These include suspending the licenses of uninsured drivers who cause damage and requiring them to pay for that damage. It also suggests impounding uninsured vehicles involved in crashes or stopped for moving violations and strengthening driver safety education and dangerous driving enforcement.
Another suggestion is to restrict blinding LED headlights and add headlight-brightness testing to vehicle safety inspections.
The collision repair industry will converge in the state this week at the Texas Auto Body Trade Show.
The event will kick off Thursday with a Kaizen Golf Tournament at 10 a.m.
Education and the trade show will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
To register, visit this link.
Education sessions will include conversations about AI, vehicle technology, lessons on repairing windshield chips and cracks, customer experience, refinishing , alternative revenue stream, urethane certification, repair planning, and more.
For more information, visit the Texas Auto Body Trade Show website.
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