Tracking Hurricane Alex
June 30, 2010
- The coast of Texas south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande River
- The coast of Mexico from the mouth of the Rio Grande to La Curz
WATCHES AND WARNINGS——————–CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY…
According to Weather.gov, tropical storm and hurricane warning remains in effect for to following: The coast of Texas south of Baffin Bay to the mouth of the Rio Grande RiverThe coast of Mexico from the mouth of the Rio Grande to La Curz
ALEX IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 7 MPH…11 KM/HR. A SLOW WEST TOWEST-NORTHWESTWARD MOTION IS EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE CENTER OF ALEX WILL APPROACH THE COAST OF NORTHEASTERN MEXICO OR SOUTHERN TEXAS BY LATE THIS AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING…AND MAKE LANDFALL IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA LATE TONIGHT OR EARLY THURSDAY MORNING.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS REMAIN NEAR 80 MPH…130 KM/HR…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. ALEX IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE. ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST…AND ALEX COULD BECOME A CATEGORY TWO HURRICANE PRIOR TO LANDFALL. ALEX WILL BEGIN TO WEAKEN AFTER ITS CENTER CROSSES THE COASTLINE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 25 MILES…35 KM…FROM THE CENTER…AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 200 MILES…325 KM. NOAA BUOY 42055 LOCATED SOUTHEAST OF ALEX RECENTLY REPORTED SUSTAINED WINDS OF 54 MPH…86 KM/HR WITH A GUST OF 63 MPH…101 KM/HR.
THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE MEASURED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 959 MB…28.32 INCHES.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND———————-RAINFALL…ALEX IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES OVER PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN MEXICO AND SOUTHERN TEXAS…WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 20 INCHES. THESE RAINS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND MUD SLIDES…ESPECIALLY IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. RAINBANDS ASSOCIATED WITH ALEX ARE SPREADING ONSHORE IN NORTHEASTERN MEXICO AND SOUTHERN TEXAS.
WIND…TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE COAST WITHIN THE HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM WARNING AREAS LATER THIS MORNING…MAKING OUTSIDE PREPARATIONS DIFFICULT OR DANGEROUS. STORM SURGE…A DANGEROUS STORM SURGE WILL RAISE WATER LEVELS BY AS MUCH AS 3 TO 5 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST TO THE NORTH OF WHERE THE CENTER MAKES LANDFALL. THE SURGE COULD PENETRATE INLAND AS FAR AS SEVERAL MILES FROM THE SHORE WITH DEPTH GENERALLY DECREASING AS THE WATER MOVES INLAND. NEAR THE COAST…THE SURGE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DESTRUCTIVE WAVES.
TORNADOES…ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF EXTREME SOUTHERN TEXAS TODAY.
forecast courtesy of www.weather.gov
Home Insurance Preparing for a Weather Emergency
June 25, 2010

Texas home owners already have lots to worry about when it comes to being a home owner without having to think about storm damage. Even though your rates are protected from increase due to weather related damage, Texas home insurance policies are already some of the highest in the nation.
Face it. Everyone wants to save money on their home insurance policy. If you have to file a claim on your home insurance policy, the insurance company will take care of you, but what should you do before the storm, during the storm, and after the storm?
The following tips will help prepare you in case of a major storm:
What to do Before a Storm
Protect Your Property
- Ensure that your property is protected to the fullest extent possible:
- Install storm shutters in wind-prone areas.
- Secure or store outdoor furniture and loose items.
- Trim tree branches that are close to the structure; remove dead trees or limbs.
- Reinforce garage doors.
- Inspect and replace caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows.
- Be sure you have a copy of your insurance policy and an inventory of the property and contents in a safe place.
Protect Yourself and your Family
- Be sure you have these items on hand:
- Battery-operated radio and flashlights with fresh batteries.
- Supply of bottled water and non-perishable food.
- Blankets and clothing.
- First aid kit and any necessary prescription medications.
- If you’re in an area prone to power outages, consider purchasing an auxiliary generator.
- Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, and if asked to evacuate, do so.
- Be certain your car is in good working order and the tank is full.
After a Storm
- Make sure all family members are safe. Listen to the radio for public service announcements. If evacuated, do not return to your home until authorized to do so. If at home, wait for the “all clear” announcement before venturing outside.
- Don’t touch downed power lines; assume they are live no matter how long they have been down.
- Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call the utility company from a neighbor’s house.
- Don’t try to move large trees or branches that have fallen on your home. You could hurt yourself and possibly increase the damage to your home.
- Cover broken windows or holes in walls or roofs to prevent further damage.
CAR INSURANCE MYTHS DEBUNKED
June 21, 2010
Is it more expensive to insure red cars? Is Comprehensive coverage really comprehensive? Should you and your neighbor be paying the same amount for car insurance?
Leading car insurer Progressive debunks a few of the more widely held myths:
Myth: Red cars cost more to insure.
Reality: Vehicle color is not a factor used to calculate car insurance rates. Factors that do matter are the year, make, model, body type, engine size and age of your car, as well as information about the drivers on your policy.
Myth: I only need the state-required, minimum amount of car insurance.
Reality: Many states have minimum car insurance requirements, but the required liability-only insurance may not cover all your costs. If you cause an accident, your insurance might not cover all the damages. Consult with your local independent agent to select the coverages and sufficient limits that meet your needs so that a fender bender doesn’t cost you big bucks.
Myth: Comprehensive coverage protects drivers in all situations.
Reality: Comprehensive coverage is one type of protection available on an auto insurance policy (others being Collision, Uninsured Motorist, etc.). Comprehensive coverage pays only for damage caused by an event other than a collision, including fire, theft, vandalism, weather and more.
Myth: My car insurance rates will be similar to my neighbor’s rates.
Reality: Car insurance rates are individually determined, so factors such as age, driving record, type of vehicle, and marital status are considered. Each person’s situation is unique and car insurance rates will vary because of this.
Myth: If I buy a new car, my auto insurance company automatically knows and my new car is covered.
Reality: No. Most insurance companies require that you notify them or your agent within a specified number of days. Generally, you have 30 days to add the new vehicle to your policy.
For more information, talk to your local agent or contact us at info@txinsurancepro.com.
FOUR QUESTIONS TO GET THE RIGHT TEXAS AUTO INSURANCE COMPANY
June 17, 2010
Using the right tool for a job is key to success in any profession. Experts say the same principle applies when selecting a Texas auto insurance policy. Having the right type of policy can help ensure that you, your employees and your business are all protected in the unfortunate event that one of your vehicles is involved in an accident.
If you’re a business owner and you or your employees use a vehicle for business-related deliveries or to carry certain materials to and from a job site, you may need a commercial auto insurance policy that’s tailored to more closely suit the needs—and risks—of a business vehicle operator.
Here are some questions that can help you determine if you might need a Texas commercial auto policy instead of a personal auto policy:
- Do you need more liability coverage than your personal auto policy provides? Generally, a commercial auto policy provides higher limits of liability, but less or no coverage in areas that are typically not associated with commercial auto risks.
- Do you need special coverage for situations associated with conducting business? Commercial auto policies also usually offer certain coverages—such as hired and non-owned auto coverage and coverage for towing a trailer for business use—that are not available with personal auto policies.
- Do you need to list any employees as drivers? You can do this with a commercial auto insurance policy.
- Do you use your vehicle for business purposes? If you use your vehicle for things like pizza or newspaper delivery, catering, door-to-door consulting service, landscaping or snowplowing service, logging business, day care/church retreat van service and/or farm-to-market delivery, you might need a commercial auto policy.
Your independent insurance agent TXINSURANCEPRO.COM can help match you with the type of policy that best suits your needs and those of your company.
Does your Texas auto insurance company offer accident forgiveness?
June 15, 2010
If you have auto insurance in Texas, you have probably heard insurance companies making claims that they will forgive your first accident. That is right. I said many Texas auto insurance companies will forgive your accident. Before you run to the nearest parking lot and hit back into your neighbor’s car, you’d better check the fine print.
Each company has a different definition of accident forgiveness. Here are a few questions to ask when your auto insurance company says that they will forgive your accident.
- What’s the threshold? Some Texas Insurance companies will forgive all your accidents under a $400 or $500 payout. So if you bump into your neighbor’s car and they insist on calling your insurance company, low cost claims under $400 will be completely forgiven. As a result, your rates won’t change.
- Will I lose any discounts? Some Texas auto insurance companies like to play games with the accident forgiveness. Their pricing is so complicated that even if they forgive an accident, you still lose an accident free discount. As a result, even though they forgave your accident, you still got a rate increase because you lost the accident free discount. Is that confusing or what?
- Do I pay more for accident forgiveness? Some car insurance companies actually make you purchase a higher level of coverage so that you can get “unlimited” accident forgiveness. This may be a good package if you have a teenager with a bad driving record. However, if you have a clean driving record, I thought the purpose of the exercise was to save money on your car insurance. So if your agent says that you have the Gold or Platinum package, you might want to continue looking around.
- How long does it take to earn accident forgiveness? Some auto insurance companies offer accident forgiveness only been claims free or “surcharge” free for a number of years. While other companies offer accident forgiveness after you have been insured with them for a number of years without an accident. Each Texas insurance company has their own version of earning accident forgiveness.
Accident forgiveness can be an extremely useful tool on your Texas auto insurance policy. As we previously mentioned, each company has different definitions for their accident forgiveness and claims free discounts. The next time you shop for insurance in Texas, these four questions can go a long way into helping you decide which insurance company and insurance agent is best for you.
2 Texas auto insurers top complaints list and face investigation
June 15, 2010
By TERRENCE STUTZ / The Dallas Morning News
tstutz@dallasnews.com
AUSTIN — Larry Randall was one of thousands of Texas drivers in accidents last year that weren’t their fault. But unlike many, the Richardson engineer’s problems were just beginning after the collision. The driver who sideswiped his 2006 Chrysler Sebring and forced him off the road in May 2009 had a policy with an insurer that Randall later discovered was among the worst in handling claims. Loya Insurance, a Texas auto insurance company, initially balked at assuming responsibility for its policyholder — who tried to flee the scene — and then said it would pay just $270 for damages and expenses that Randall estimated was nearly $1,700.
“They tried to ignore me from day one, and then they finally sent me a check covering a fraction of my claim. When’s the last time you heard of major damage to the side of a car being fixed for $300?” Randall said, noting he has not cashed the company’s check.
Loya is one of two large Texas auto insurers that had a complaint record well above the state average in 2009, according to a new listing of “justified” complaints handled by the state Insurance Department. Those complaints from Texas drivers included such practices as delays in processing claims, unsatisfactory offers or settlements, denial of claims and liability disputes An analysis of the Insurance Department figures by The Dallas Morning News showed that 10 of the 25 largest auto insurers in the state — those with more than 100,000 policies — had worse-than-average customer service records.
The two Texas auto insurance companies at the top of the list — Loya and Old American County Mutual — are now being investigated by the Insurance Department for violations of state regulations, an agency spokesman said. Loya, which collected more than $283 million in premiums last year, performed nearly four times worse than a typical Texas insurer, according to the state-calculated “complaint index.”
Market value
Edgar Meza, vice president of claims for Loya, said many of the complaints stem from differences over the market value of cars that are totaled and from accidents involving a person driving a Loya-insured vehicle who has been excluded from coverage. Meza also said Loya serves a unique customer base, typically lower-income drivers who have trouble obtaining insurance He also said complaints against the insurer are down significantly in 2010 — and that Loya takes those complaints seriously.
Old American County Mutual, a Dallas-based company that collected nearly $539 million in premiums, had a complaint index of 3.42 — or about three and a half times worse than a typical company. Old American declined to comment on the complaint numbers. No other company besides Old American and Loya broke 2.0, which would be twice the average. The two insurers have a business relationship, and Loya is listed as one of several managing general agents for Old American on its website.
Hospital administrator Peggy Bryant of Rockwall also had troubles with Loya after her Volkswagen was hit by a driver insured by the company. “It was quite an ordeal,” she said. “They low-balled the damage by over a thousand dollars, and then the games began. They told me they weren’t going to pay the difference even though their client took responsibility for the accident.” Bryant, who had to sue to get her claim paid, said of her experience: “I hope to God I never get hit again by somebody with Loya insurance. If I do, I’ll probably hire a lawyer right away.”
Arlene Gillespie of Dallas was driving with her 3-year-old daughter in a Dodge Caravan a year ago when a Loya-insured driver ran a stop sign and broadsided her. The driver, who Gillespie suspected had been drinking, ran off but dropped his wallet and cellphone, allowing police to determine his identity. “They just gave me the run-around when I called,” she said of Loya. “At one point they told me someone had stolen [their client’s] vehicle and they couldn’t find him — so they weren’t going to pay.” When the insurer finally agreed to compensate her for the car — which was totaled — they denied her claim for leg injuries she sustained in the collision.
When Gillespie complained to the Texas Department of Insurance, Loya said they made a mistake in paying for her car and insisted they really owed nothing. Gillespie is still trying to recoup her medical expenses and is considering legal action. Old American County Mutual has similar complaints on file.
Jack Montoya of Rowlett battled the company and one of its subsidiaries over damage done to his 2005 Cadillac STS by a driver insured by Old American who rear-ended his vehicle a year ago. “Just trying to get hold of them was near impossible,” he said of his efforts to contact the company and get his car repaired. “When I finally got in touch with them, they went straight to the point and said they weren’t going to pay for all the damage — and I’d have to live with it.” Most of the damage was to the rear bumper and muffler.
When he threatened to complain to the Insurance Department, “they told me to go right ahead,” he said. He eventually received about $2,000 but still had to pay about $300 out of pocket because the company depreciated the value of the muffler.
Agency’s role
Ben Gonzalez, an Insurance Department spokesman, said the agency is limited in how it can respond to consumer complaints. For example, the department cannot force a company to pay a disputed claim if there is no violation of the law. Also, the agency cannot decide who is at fault in an accident. “We cannot resolve every case,” he said. “Complaints do help us identify issues of concern with a particular company.”
Gonzalez said the department “has pending enforcement cases” against Loya and Old American. He said he could not discuss the Loya case, but he released documents indicating that Old American has been cited for canceling hundreds of auto policies after claims were filed on each. The company says the policyholders made false representations in applying for insurance, according to state documents. A hearing on the allegations is later this year.
HOW TO FILE AN INSURANCE COMPLAINT
•Consumers must file a complaint by phone (1-800-252-3439), e-mail ( consumerprotection@tdi.state.tx.us) or the complaint form on the agency’s website ( www.tdi.state.tx.us).
•After studying the complaint, the consumer protection division sends the insurer a copy and asks for a detailed written response to the complaint.
•The Insurance Department staff then determines if the claim or any other issue was handled properly under the policy.
•The staff also reviews the file to assess whether laws were violated.
•If violations are found, the department institutes an enforcement action that can result in sanctions ranging from a fine and restitution to revocation of the insurer’s state license.
SOURCE: Texas Department of Insurance
Tips from Travelers Insurance to Help You Save on Auto Insurance
June 14, 2010
Purchasing the auto insurance in Texas that is right for you can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. By learning the basics on how to get the most for your money, you can save on your auto insurance and feel confident you have adequate coverage. TXINSURANCEPRO.COM and Travelers, a leading provider of auto insurance and homeowners insurance, offer these tips to lead you in the right direction when you purchase your car insurance Texas.
- Be a safe driver. Drivers with good driving records can save as much as 60 percent over drivers who cause accidents.
- Enroll in a driving class. Drivers who complete a state-approved defensive driving course, or drivers under the age of 21 who take a driver training course, could qualify for savings.
- Buy a car that includes safety features such as anti-lock brakes, alarms or other security features, airbags, and automatic seat belts.
- Choose a higher deductible (what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in), which can mean paying less for your policy.
- Eliminate unnecessary coverages. If you drive an older car with little cash value, consider eliminating “collision” or “comprehensive” coverage, which pays for damage to or theft of your car.
- Insure more than one car with the same company, and you may be eligible for savings.
- Insure your car and home with the same company. You could save money if you have more than one type of policy with the same insurance company (for example, an auto policy and a homeowners policy). The more good business you give the company, the more valuable you are as a customer.
- Look for low-mileage discounts if you car pool or do not put a lot of miles on your car annually.
- Check for student discounts such as a good student credit for maintaining a B average, or if a driver in your household is living away at school and not driving as much.
- Buy a safer car that will cost less to repair and less to insure. Check crash-test reports, repair records and manufacturer recalls of any car you are considering. A consumer protection magazine can be very useful or check car sites on the Internet.
Established in 2008, TXINSURANCEPRO.COM is an independent insurance agency offering a full range of insurance products including AUTO, HOME, LIFE, and BUSINESS INSURANCE.
For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please visit
TXINSURANCEPRO.COM at 2695 Villa Creek Drive Suite 175, Dallas, Texas 75234 or call (214)717-4326.
About Travelers
Travelers insurance understands that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve agents and policyholders is to deliver insurance that evolves to stay in-synch with life and business as they change. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including automobile, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, surety and management liability, global technology and public sector services. Travelers is a Fortune 100 company, with 2007 revenues of $26 billion and total assets of $115 billion. The company has approximately 33,000 employees.
State Farm Won’t Handle Claims For Flood Insurance Program
June 12, 2010
State Farm Mutual has confirmed that it will stop administering federal flood insurance policies this fall, leaving government officials to find a new home for 800,000 customers nationwide who bought their coverage through the company. State Farm is the nation’s largest administrator of such policies written by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
According to FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen, existing customers will not be affected by State Farm’s decision. Both new and renewing customers will be able to obtain federal flood insurance through a State Farm agent “or one of the other 90 insurers that sell flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program” after the program is renewed.
“The news that State Farm announced it was pulling out of its Write Your Own (WYO) participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) does not come as a total surprise,” said Rita Hollada, past chairman and currently PIA National’s representative to the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee (FIPNC). “The NFIP has become the victim of an increasingly political atmosphere in recent months and years. The repeated lapses in the program and its manipulation by Congress affect the certainty of the NFIP as a viable insurance program whose sole purpose is to protect and fund recovery for flood damage.”
Hollada added, “Lenders, companies and insurance agents have become increasingly frustrated with the current Congressional attitude and tactics. Some Members argue for increased premiums and a requirement that the NFIP be fully self-funded while others want premium relief and broadened coverage for their constituents. Meanwhile the NFIP struggles to provide protection to policyholders while making interest payments on the deficit created by the claims paid as a result of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. State Farm’s response may assist in getting Congress to recognize its obligations to support its WYO partners by keeping the National Flood Insurance Program accessible and adequately funded to achieve its stated purpose.
“Eliminating this work will allow us to focus our resources on the coverage we do write,” said Phil Supple, a State Farm spokesman at the company’s corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois. Starting October 1, State Farm will begin dropping the flood policies as they come up for renewal, Supple said. Customers will be given 90 days notice that they will be redirected by FEMA to another servicing agent to handle their policies. Supple said premiums would not change. He added State Farm agents will handle reports of claims for policies where State Farm provides homeowner’s coverage as well as writes flood policies. But claims will either be handled directly by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or its designee.
State Farm Won’t Handle Claims for NFIP (National Underwriter 6/7/10)
State Farm Won’t Add New Flood Policies (Insurance Journal 6/8/10)
State Farm Won’t Handle Claims For Flood Insurance Program
Travelers Auto Insurance Mobile Tools offer More than Just Ringtones
June 11, 2010
Auto Insurance companies continue to look for ways to make themselves stand apart from their competition. Today, it is common to hear or see insurance companies make claims of their unique services including accident forgiveness or claims free discounts, good student discounts, and even multi-policy discounts. Companies like GEICO have even added fun but useless additions to their websites like ringtones.
All though ringtones are fun and entertaining, auto insurance companies like Travelers Auto Insurance have decided to take advantage of America’s growing dependence on smartphones like blackberry and the Apple I-phone.


The new mobile tools from Travelers Insurance provide auto accident assistance for iPhone and BlackBerry smartphone users. Additionally, Travelers customers will have the added advantage of starting the auto claim process directly through the iPhone application and the mobile Web site.
In their March 8, 2010 news release, Travelers Insurance states that It’s clear that mobile devices have become a necessity to many. These mobile applications are another example of how Travelers is staying in touch with consumers’ evolving demands.
Click here to download the new Travelers mobile tools application.
Tips to help you save money on your health insurance and health related expenses
June 10, 2010
Health Insurance industry experts expect health insurance and health care costs to continue increasing over the next few years even after the passage of new U.S. federal regulation. If you are a normal person like me, you have not taken time to read the entire bill to see how new health insurance regulation will affect you. As a professional insurance agent, I give you these tips to help you save money on your health care and health insurance related costs.
1. Cash Pricing. By asking for the cash price, medical facilities are more likely to give you a better price because they know they get their money up front. If you do not use cash and file with your health insurance company or your dental insurance company, the doctor has to wait as much as 90 days before he gets paid.
2. Prescription Discounts. When you have to get your prescriptions filled, always ask for discounts. Not all health insurance companies pay 100% of medication costs. So, if you find yourself in the position of paying too much for medicine, ask your pharmacist for a discount plan. You will be surprised, many medical discount plans are free, but you have to ask for them.
3. Go Generic. Since there are millions of people that now have to take medications for things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and even allergies these prescriptions have become quite routine. If your doctor prescribes medication, ask if there is a generic equivalent. Many times, the generic equivalent provides just as good results as the name brand medication.
4. Ask for $4 prescriptions. Another product of being highly medicated is that many of us take drugs that have been reduced as much 99%. Another way to lower your health care related expenses is to shop at larger pharmacies like Walgreen’s, CVS, and Wal-Mart. Often, you can get 30 day supply of medicine for $4 or less.
5. Consult with a Pharmacist. One of the best ways to lower your health insurance and health care costs is to talk to your pharmacist. In many states your local pharmacist can actually write prescriptions. Your local pharmacist can give you expert advice on why you take certain medications. Your pharmacist can also make recommendations to you and your doctor regarding lower cost alternative medications that can save you money without compromising your health.
6. Consider Medication Therapy Management. As a result of the new legislation, many pharmacists are starting their own private practices for medication therapy management. In exchange for a nominal fee that is often paid by private and government health plans, your pharmacist can consult with you on a regular basis to make sure you take your medicines as prescribed. By consulting with a medication therapy specialist not only can you save money on your health insurance, but you can also get advice that may improve your health the long run.


