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TDI Consumer Protection
recovers record $56 million for Texans
AUSTIN – More than $56 million
was returned to Texas consumers during the past
year as a result of actions by the Consumer
Protection Division of the Texas Department of
Insurance (TDI), a record amount for the agency.
The money came from premium refunds and
additional claim payments to consumers that were
recovered through TDI investigations of
complaints against insurers and agents. TDI’s
Consumer Protection staff resolved more than
24,000 insurance complaints last year.
More than 1,800 of those complaints and $26.4
million in payments were related to insurance
claims from Hurricane Rita, which struck the
Texas coast on September 24, 2005. Rita followed
close on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, which
struck neighboring Louisiana on August 29, 2005.
TDI sent close to 300 staff members to areas
affected by the two storms. Working in teams,
TDI staff volunteered at Disaster Recovery
Centers to provide direct, one-on-one assistance
and information to people affected by the
storms. Disaster volunteers also delivered water
and ice to those without power, answered
inquiries via TDI’s toll-free Consumer Help
Line, developed Internet resource pages,
resolved disaster-related insurance complaints,
inspected property damage, conducted educational
outreach events, and joined staff from state and
federal agencies at the State Operations Center.
In addition, two teams of TDI volunteers from
Consumer Protection were dispatched to work at
the Louisiana insurance department in February
and March to assist Louisiana consumers with
outstanding complaints and insurance problems
arising from Hurricane Katrina.
“The Consumer Protection Division is the leading
edge of our disaster response efforts,” said
Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin. “They can
hit the ground running when a special situation
arises and deal with a multitude of issues and
problems. They represent the very best in public
service and apply that same dedication to
meeting the needs of consumers year-round.”
Consumers may contact TDI’s Consumer Protection
Division through the agency’s Consumer Help Line
at 1-800-252-3439. Phone lines are staffed from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time, Monday through
Friday. Consumer information and publications
are also available on the TDI website at
http://www.tdi.state.tx.us
For more
information contact:
PIO@tdi.state.tx.us
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