BREAKING NEWS
Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for now
Read full article: Texas’ 90,000 DACA recipients can sign up for Affordable Care Act coverage — for nowThose enrolled in the federal program shielding them from deportation can enroll through Jan. 15, but a lawsuit and Trump’s anti-immigration stance threaten to eliminate eligibility.
Texas home insurance prices continue to rise year after year. Here’s why.
Read full article: Texas home insurance prices continue to rise year after year. Here’s why.As major storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods continue to hit Texas, insurance prices are rising throughout the state. A local insurance agent spoke with KSAT to explain what's causing the increases.
Insurance rates could climb for some Texas coastal homeowners, businesses
Read full article: Insurance rates could climb for some Texas coastal homeowners, businessesHomeowners typically pay $2,300 a year for a Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policy. The rate increase would bump premiums by 10%.
How to navigate FEMA during this year’s hurricane season
Read full article: How to navigate FEMA during this year’s hurricane seasonThe upcoming hurricane season is anticipated to be “above-average,” potentially causing those in its path to suffer from property damages. Here is how federal assistance may help you in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Climate change, costly disasters sent Texas homeowner insurance rates skyrocketing this year
Read full article: Climate change, costly disasters sent Texas homeowner insurance rates skyrocketing this yearTexas rates have increased 22% on average so far in 2023, twice the national rate. More billion-dollar disasters have occurred in Texas this year than any other year on record.
Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting rates
Read full article: Lawmakers passed a bill to stop insurers from considering ESG criteria in setting ratesSo-called environmental, social and governance policies are often adopted by companies to reduce their carbon footprints. The new Texas bill aims to stop insurers doing business in Texas from using ESG criteria, but it doesn’t include penalties for violations.
Allstate, State Farm halt new home insurance policies in California
Read full article: Allstate, State Farm halt new home insurance policies in CaliforniaAllstate and State Farm both announced in the last week that they would be halting insurance policies citing inflation and natural disasters in the state.
Does insurance cover auto or home damage from broken tree limbs due to ice?
Read full article: Does insurance cover auto or home damage from broken tree limbs due to ice?If fallen tree limbs ended up causing damage to your house or your vehicle, you might be wondering if insurance will cover repairs.
Inside a bus, East Texans get the health care they can’t afford or find anywhere else
Read full article: Inside a bus, East Texans get the health care they can’t afford or find anywhere elseAccess to health care is limited in rural Texas. The mobile clinic operated by Beaumont-based TAN Healthcare aims to close that gap.
Personal information of 1.8 million Texans with Department of Insurance claims was exposed for years, audit says
Read full article: Personal information of 1.8 million Texans with Department of Insurance claims was exposed for years, audit saysThe personal data was accessible to the public because of a glitch in the code of the department’s web application.
SAFD tracking upward trend in fires across city; District 5 sees the largest spike
Read full article: SAFD tracking upward trend in fires across city; District 5 sees the largest spikeSan Antonio firefighters are tracking some alarming numbers of structure fires across the city, but most concerning is District 5.
A Texas salmonella outbreak highlights the unseen costs of food poisoning
Read full article: A Texas salmonella outbreak highlights the unseen costs of food poisoningMore than 60 people became ill after a funeral reception in Texas. Two years later, some of them are still coping with the financial and medical consequences.
How to file an insurance claim after a storm
Read full article: How to file an insurance claim after a stormEvery year, many people whose homes are damaged by storms begin the sometimes confusing process of filing insurance claims. Consumer Reports offers some tips that may help you with this process.
Texas has the highest share of uninsured residents in the nation. Another COVID-19 wave puts them at risk.
Read full article: Texas has the highest share of uninsured residents in the nation. Another COVID-19 wave puts them at risk.Untreated medical conditions, lack of access to testing and limited paid time off leave uninsured Texans particularly vulnerable to the disease.
Despite high rate of teen pregnancies, Texas lawmakers unlikely to expand Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover birth control
Read full article: Despite high rate of teen pregnancies, Texas lawmakers unlikely to expand Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover birth controlSign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.
Busted pipes lead to flood of insurance claims
Read full article: Busted pipes lead to flood of insurance claimsSAN ANTONIO – With the big thaw barely underway after days of wintry weather conditions, homeowners are flooding their insurance companies with claims. The Insurance Council of Texas expects hundreds of thousands of claims to be filed with losses in the billions. Most of those claims were for frozen and busted pipes. “The homeowner’s policy does cover ensuing damage and most of the time covers frozen pipes in these situations where pipes burst,” said Elizabeth Gulick, vice president of Catastrophe Experience and Shared Claims Operations. “Really assess what you’re hearing, what you’re seeing.”AdAs the frozen pipes begin to thaw, she says it’s critical to know where to find the main water cutoff valve.
Here’s what to do if your home, vehicle sustained damage due to winter weather
Read full article: Here’s what to do if your home, vehicle sustained damage due to winter weatherSAN ANTONIO – Icy roads, and power and water outages are on the minds of many in San Antonio amid the winter weather event that has resulted in ice and even snow. San Antonio-based USAA says residents should also be aware of what to do when they experience damage to their homes or vehicles. AdUSAA has released some tips on dealing with home or vehicle damage due to the winter weather. USAA members can file a claim at USAA.com/helpAccording to USAA, if there is only damage to your auto glass, file an auto glass claim. If there is damage to more than just your auto glass, file an auto claim.
What you need to know when shopping for pet insurance
Read full article: What you need to know when shopping for pet insuranceHere’s what you need to know when shopping for pet insurance. But unlike human health insurance, pet health insurance typically only covers accidents, illnesses, and other unusual health events. You can buy health insurance for your pet at any age, but just like human health insurance, it’s going to be less expensive the younger the animal. Pet insurance policies can range from $200 to $800, depending on your deductible, age, and breed of your pet. You can compare different pet insurance policies at www.petinsurancereview.comSources: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/americans-spent-billion-veterinary-care-2018/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20association’s%20annual,percent%20over%20last%20year’s%20figuresContributor(s) to this news report include: Milvionne Chery, Producer; Bob Walko, Videographer and Editor.
USAA giving back another $270 million to auto insurance holders, totaling more than $1B
Read full article: USAA giving back another $270 million to auto insurance holders, totaling more than $1BSAN ANTONIO – San Antonio-based USAA on Tuesday announced that it will return an extra $270 million in dividends to auto insurance policyholders. The dividends will be given to members as a 10% credit for two months’ worth of premiums, the insurance company stated. It will be provided to all auto insurance members with policies in effect in June and July. In April and May, USAA returned $800 million to members as a 20% credit on three months’ worth of premiums. As these patterns unfold, we are adjusting our auto insurance rates.”Read also:
After the hail storm comes the deluge of insurance claims
Read full article: After the hail storm comes the deluge of insurance claimsSAN ANTONIO – It was a messy morning on Thursday after a noisy night. “It was loud, really loud,” said Bill Centeno, whose Churchill Estate home took a pounding. “We thought the windows were going to break.”‘Looks like snow:’ Twitter users share videos of hail storm in San Antonio and KerrvilleThe windows held, but three towering trees fell like dominoes. “We can do it all online through photos and digitally.”For roof claims, USAA resorts to high-flying technology. “Be wary of anyone who asks for large sums of money upfront.”Historic sculptured bench near San Antonio Zoo damaged in hail stormAs for the Centenos, they are glad that the storm damage wasn’t worse.
Hail of a storm! 7 things to know if you were affected by hail
Read full article: Hail of a storm! 7 things to know if you were affected by hailSAN ANTONIO – Hail rained down on parts of San Antonio, the Hill Country and South Texas over the last few stormy nights. Photos: Hail pelts San Antonio as severe storms pass through cityWhile the threat continues for more storms this week we may be having to call our insurance companies to access the damage. Work with your insurance company; call the Better Business Bureau or your local municipality for information on reputable contractors. Fraud can be prevalent following a hail storm. Insurance companies will send adjusters to inspect damage claims following hail storms.