News
Getting Married? 5 Insurance Tips for Newlyweds and Engaged Couples
If you’re engaged or newly married, the last thing on your mind is reviewing your insurance needs or updating your policies. However, before tying the knot, it’s important to sit down and discuss your current insurance situation and what you might need to change...
read more
What You Need to Know About Preauthorization
What is Preauthorization? Health plans may require your doctor to get approval before they will pay for certain medical treatments. This process of advance approval is called preauthorization. Timelines for PreauthorizationWhen a health plan gets a request from a...
read more
Are You Prepared for Tornado Season?
Tornado season is upon us. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Texas had 61 tornado events last year that affected 46 counties and equaled approximately $5 million in property damage. Tornadoes can’t be prevented, but there are...
read more
How to Create a Home Inventory
A home inventory is a detailed list of items in your house that you make in the case of theft or damage. Creating a list can be time consuming, but it is better to do so now rather than trying to make one from memory later. A home inventory list can help you: Buy the...
read more
Are You Prepared for Hail Season?
Hail causes around $1 billion in damage to property and crops each year. In 2017, Texas had the most wind/hail losses in the U.S. – with 747 hail events (Insurance Information Institute). While hail storms can’t be prevented, there are steps you can take to help...
read more
What is a Dec Page?
A declarations page, often called a “dec page,” can be found in the front of your policy. The dec page summarizes your policy and coverages, limits and deductibles, and the dates your policy is effective. Auto insurance dec pages also list the insured vehicles and...
read more
OPIC’s 2018 Achievements
We’ve been working hard for consumers this year. Here are just some of our biggest 2018 achievements: Reviewed, analyzed, and intervened in approximately 1,500 rate, rule, and form filings. Advocated for lower auto and homeowners insurance rates and fees,...
read more
6 Winter Fire Safety Tips
Home fires occur more in winter than during any other season. These tips will help you take precautions and ensure your home is safe and free of insurance claims this winter!
read more
When Will My Homeowners Claim Get Paid?
Wondering when the claim you filed with your insurance company will get paid? Here is some info on timeframes for paying claims:
read more
Understanding the Basics of Long-Term Care Insurance
If you or a loved one cannot live independently, the costs of personal care can be very high. Long-term care insurance can help pay for the costs of personal care, but it’s important to understand how it is different from health insurance and when it can be useful....
read more
Cyber Insurance: Tips to Lower Your Risk & Recover from Harm
Because we rely on the internet more and more for both business and personal tasks, the risk of our smart devices getting hacked and personal info being stolen or misused increases. Almost every day it seems there is another data breach, scam, or virus. Cyber...
read more
Consider Buying HOA Loss Assessment Coverage
Many Texas property owners must join a homeowners association (“HOA”). Condos often require HOA membership, and many single-family subdivisions now have them, too. HOA members have to pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly dues. These dues usually pay for taking care of...
read more
4 Storm Resources You Need to Know
Here are 4 storm resources you might need next time a flood strikes.
read more
What Are Your Rights if a Drug is Removed From Your Health Plan’s Drug Formulary?
Did you know your health plan can change your medicine coverage? Your health plan must notify you if it removes a medicine from its formulary or limits your access to a medicine. Your plan must continue to cover a medicine until renewal. Your health plan has to...
read more
Buyer Beware: Not All Auto Policies Are the Same
Be sure you know who and what is covered under any insurance policy you consider buying. Not all auto policies are the same. Since insurance policies can be very different, it is important to read all of your policy and ask questions to make sure you get the coverage...
read more
4 Tips for Making Roof Repairs After a Storm
Have you had roof damage after recent storms? It’s important to keep these 4 tips in mind when you’re making your roof repairs.
read more
Health Insurance Works Differently in Emergencies!
Emergency care can vary in price and services depending on where you go. You can save time and money and get the care you need if you know: the differences between emergency room (ER) facilities and urgent care centers, and how to get info about your insurance...
read more
Understanding Your Homeowners Deductible
What is a Homeowners Deductible? A homeowners deductible is the portion of a covered loss you must pay before your insurance company pays for any of the loss. Typically, your insurance company will simply subtract the deductible from the total amount of your claim,...
read more