News Releases

January 10, 2023

OPIC recommended one bill to the Texas legislature to protect insurance consumers and preserve their rights.

• Require personal auto and residential property insurers in Texas to preserve the insurance consumer’s right to invoke appraisal in disputes regarding the cost to repair or the amount of a total loss.

2023 Recommendations Report

Trying to navigate health insurance is confusing. To help, OPIC updated the Health Insurance Basics section of its website with more detailed information. Check out new pages about the different ways you can get health insurance, including through your job, individual health insurance, membership in a group, or government programs. OPIC also created a useful comparison chart of the four main types of health plans – HMOs, EPOs, PPOs, and POS – to help consumers decide which plan is best for them.

November 18, 2022

Melissa Hamilton resigned as Public Counsel from the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, effective November 15, 2022. Melissa has accepted the position of Executive Director of Government Relations for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The agency’s Deputy Public Counsel, David Bolduc, will assume duties as Acting Public Counsel. He comes to OPIC from the Office of Policy Development Counsel at the Texas Department of Insurance. His other governmental experience includes serving as General Counsel at the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, Division Chief and Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Texas Attorney General, and Deputy General Counsel at the Texas Department of Agriculture. He has also founded or been employed at 6 private law practices.

August 26, 2022

OPIC sent comments to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regarding revisions to the private passenger automobile statistical plan.

OPIC’s Letter to TDI

August 12, 2022

OPIC Saves Consumers Money

OPIC regularly objects to homeowners and auto rate filings where we believe consumers are not being charged proper rates. In the first seven months of 2022, OPIC saved consumers over $10.5 million in the form of reduced rates, withdrawn rate increase filings, and policyholder refunds. For every $1 of our agency budget, we’ve saved Texas insurance consumers $18.

New Auto and Homeowners Bills of Rights

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law.

August 8, 2022

OPIC sent comments to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) on July 29, 2022. In the letter, OPIC urged the TWIA Board to follow the recommendation of the TWIA Actuarial and Underwriting Committee and not raise rates. In its August 2, 2022, meeting, the TWIA Board voted not to raise rates for 2023 windstorm insurance policies.

OPIC’s Letter to TWIA

May 13, 2022

OPIC sent comments to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regarding their draft rule for revisions to the Filings Made Easy (FME) rule. OPIC wrote in support of TDI’s suggested revisions because they will increase transparency, make policies and coverage more understandable, and improve the efficiency of the rate and form processes.

OPIC’s Letter to TDI

May 2, 2022

OPIC is seeking applicants to serve as an alternate public member for the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). TAIPA provides auto insurance to qualifying Texans in order to help them comply with the requirements of the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

For more information and to apply, visit our TAIPA Application page.

March 24, 2022

OPIC Saves Consumers Money

OPIC regularly objects to homeowners and auto rate filings where we believe consumers are not being charged proper rates. Recently, an OPIC objection resulted in changes to a personal auto rate filing. OPIC’s efforts produced an estimated $455,500 in annual savings to Texas consumers.

OPIC’s 2021 Achievements

OPIC worked hard for consumers this past year, analyzing over 1,100 rules, rates, and policy forms. We are a small, 10-person agency, but we did big things in 2021. We saved Texas consumers over $11.4 million in 2021 alone, so for every $1 OPIC received from the State’s General Revenue Fund, OPIC saved Texans $14. To learn more, read our 2021 Achievements article.

New Auto and Homeowners Bills of Rights

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law.

March 23, 2022

Following the wildfires and tornadoes that damaged large areas in Texas in March, OPIC created the Help After a Disaster Toolkit. This toolkit is designed to help legislators, city/county officials, and other stakeholders provide helpful information to Texans after severe weather or disasters.

This toolkit contains content ideas you can share on your social media channels, flyers you can download and print, postcards you can request OPIC to mail to you, and other resources you may need.

January 18, 2022

OPIC’s 2021 Achievements

OPIC worked hard for consumers this past year, analyzing over 1,100 rules, rates, and policy forms. We are a small, 10-person agency, but we did big things in 2021. We saved Texas consumers over $11.4 million in 2021 alone, so for every $1 OPIC received from the State’s General Revenue Fund, OPIC saved Texans $14. To learn more, read our 2021 Achievements article.

New Auto and Homeowners Bills of Rights

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law.

2020-2021 HMO Reports Now Available

OPIC recently released its annual Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) reports. The reports, Comparing Texas HMOs 2020-2021 and Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2020-2021, provide Texans with consumer satisfaction and quality of care information about HMOs.

November 1, 2021

OPIC Saves Consumers Money

OPIC regularly objects to homeowners and auto rate filings where we believe consumers are not being charged appropriate rates. A recent homeowners objection resulted in refunds averaging $530 per policyholder, with one policyholder receiving $1,666.

New Auto and Homeowners Bills of Rights

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law.

2020-2021 HMO Reports Now Available

OPIC recently released its annual Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) reports. The reports, Comparing Texas HMOs 2020-2021 and Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2020-2021, provide Texans with consumer satisfaction and quality of care information about HMOs.

September 21, 2021

OPIC released its annual Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) reports this week. The reports, Comparing Texas HMOs 2020-2021 and Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2020-2021, provide Texans with consumer satisfaction and quality of care information about HMOs.

July 30, 2021

New Auto and Homeowners Bills of Rights

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law.

OPIC Recommendations Adopted During 87th Legislative Session

OPIC made two recommendations to the Legislature that would benefit Texas insurance consumers. The Legislature passed bills that addressed both recommendations during the regular Legislative session and Governor Abbott signed them into law. Learn more about the specific legislation.

May 17, 2021

Consumers deserve access to information about their insurance in plain language so they can be well informed and help make the insurance market work for them. With this in mind, OPIC updated its auto and homeowners (including renters) Consumer Bills of Rights. The revisions include a table of contents and the use of less technical jargon. OPIC’s Bills of Rights are a basic outline of important rights you have under Texas law. OPIC provides these documents on their website, and insurance companies must give you a copy with your insurance policy.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) adopted these Bills of Rights on April 26, 2021. Companies may begin using these documents immediately, but are required to provide the updated versions with policies beginning November 15, 2021.

2021 Consumer Bill of Rights for Homeowners, Dwelling, and Renters Insurance

2021 Consumer Bill of Rights for Personal Automobile Insurance

March 3, 2021

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Melissa R. Hamilton as the Public Counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel for a term set to expire on February 1, 2023.

Official Announcement

February 22, 2021

In response to the recent extreme winter weather, OPIC created an article with tips for filing homeowners and auto claims. The article includes tips on preventing further damage, steps to start the claim filing process, what to do if there is a problem, and other helpful resources.

December 30, 2020

OPIC recommends two bills to the Texas legislature to protect insurance consumers and expand their access to insurance resources.

• Protect Texas consumers by repealing Section 2251.1025 of the Insurance Code, which exempts certain auto insurers from filing actuarial support for their rates.
• Improve consumer access to insurance resources by expanding access to broadband internet service in Texas.

2020 Recommendations Report

December 11, 2020

COVID-19 has had a financial impact on many Texans. We have tried to help Texas consumers by objecting to auto rate increases filed since March 2020. Our efforts have resulted in companies withdrawing their rate increase, re-filing at lower rates, and/or refunding premium. OPIC saved Texas drivers over $80 million. 

OPIC has objected to the use of old and minor criminal offenses, such as a violation for a barking dog, to improperly set the cost of auto insurance for drivers, because those offenses don’t prove a direct correlation to accident risk. After our objections, only a handful of companies still use non-driving-related criminal history to rate drivers. We are still working on this issue to make sure rates are fair to Texans.  

The Texas Gulf Coast was impacted by several hurricanes this year. OPIC created resources for those affected by Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta to help with the recovery and claims processes. 

October 8, 2020

We’ve created a web page with information to help you recover after Hurricane Delta. You can also download a copy of our “Filing a Claim After Hurricane Delta” flyer to help you start the claims filing process.

September 23, 2020

OPIC has held the line during the COVID-19 pandemic so consumers don’t see rate increases. We have raised objections to auto rate increases filed since March 2020. Our efforts have resulted in companies either withdrawing their rate increase, re-filing at lower rates, and/or refunding premium. Together, our work has saved Texas drivers over $6,300,000 since the beginning of the pandemic.

To better assess the impact of COVID-19 on insurance rates, we requested that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) conduct a special auto data call of the top 10 auto insurance groups in the state.

We also created a COVID-19 FAQ page to help consumers navigate the sea of information during the pandemic and an article with resources for small business owners affected during this difficult time. 

August 28, 2020

We’ve created a web page with information to help you recover after Hurricane Laura. You can also download a copy of our “Filing a Claim After Hurricane Laura” flyer to help you start the claims filing process.

August 3, 2020

OPIC released its annual Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) reports this week. The reports, Comparing Texas HMOs 2019-2020 and Guide to Texas HMO Quality 2019-2020, provide Texans with consumer satisfaction and quality of care information about HMOs.

July 15, 2020

OPIC sent comments to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regarding their informal draft rules on consumer choice benefit plan disclosures.

July 10, 2020

OPIC sent comments to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regarding their informal draft rules on mental health and substance abuse disorder parity requirements.

June 26, 2020

The Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) requested that the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) conduct a special data call of the top 10 auto insurance groups in the state to gather information about personal auto claims during the pandemic. OPIC needs the data to fulfill its statutory duty to assess the impact of insurance rates on insurance consumers in Texas and to represent their interests.

March 30, 2020

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is currently seeking comments on an informal working draft of OPIC’s Consumer Bill of Rights for Personal Automobile Insurance. We have updated our Consumer Bill of Rights to be more consumer-friendly and easier to read.

The comment period for this informal working draft closes at 5:00 p.m., central time, on April 29, 2020. Submit comments to the TDI Property and Casualty Lines Office at PropertyCasualty@tdi.texas.gov or call Melissa Herman at 512-676-6728 for more information about this posting.

March 16, 2020

For the health and safety of our staff due to COVID-19, OPIC’s office will be closed. All OPIC functions will continue as our staff will telecommute and check voicemail during regular business hours. We thank you for your understanding. We are still here to serve Texas consumers so please do not hesitate to contact us if you need anything. 

For more information on COVID-19, visit our COVID-19 FAQ page or DSHS website.

January 22, 2020

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently announced their 2020 Consumer Liaison Representatives. OPIC’s Chief Policy Analyst, Kimberly Donovan has been appointed as one of the funded Consumer Liaison Representatives. The Consumer Liaison Program “promotes consumer interaction with the NAIC’s members, the insurance industry and interested parties through the individuals’ dedication and commitment to serving the public interest,” an NAIC press release said. 

December 1, 2019

OPIC is seeking applicants to serve as an alternate public member for the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association (TAIPA). TAIPA provides auto insurance to qualifying Texans in order to help them comply with the requirements of the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2020.

For more information and to apply, visit our TAIPA Application page.

November 19, 2019

OPIC sent comments to TWIA regarding their 5% rate increase recommendation made on November 19, 2019. OPIC asks TWIA Board to delay rate vote pending additional information regarding the hurricane modelers.

OPIC’s Letter to TWIA

August 19, 2019

Suffering damage or loss to your home or auto can be stressful. Filing a claim doesn’t have to be. OPIC created pages dedicated to residential property claims, first-party auto claims and third-party auto claims. These pages include tips on filing a claim, what to expect during the claims handling process, and what to do if there is a problem with your claim.

July 31, 2019

OPIC sent comments to TWIA regarding their rate adequacy analysis on July 31, 2019. We expressed concerns with the methodologies and assumptions used, and that TWIA’s overall rate indication is inflated.

TWIA Rate Adequacy Analysis Letter

July 31, 2019

OPIC staff attended a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Vendor Expo in Los Calinas on May 6-7, 2019. The Spot Bid Fair let state agencies and universities set up booths and talk to local HUB vendors about purchasing contracts.

March 1, 2019

OPIC published the 2018-2019 edition of our Comparing Texas HMOs: Health Plan Quality from a Consumer’s Point of View report. You can download and print a copy or request a copy to be mailed to you.

February 6, 2019

Governor Greg Abbott has reappointed Melissa R. Hamilton as the Public Counsel for the Office of Public Insurance Counsel for a term set to expire on February 1, 2021. She was confirmed on March 6, 2019 and sworn in on March 25, 2019.

Official Announcement

January 3, 2019

We’ve been working hard for consumers this year. Here are just some of our biggest highlights from 2018: 

• Reviewed, analyzed, and intervened in approximately 1,500 rate, rule, and form filings. 
• Advocated for lower auto and homeowners insurance rates and fees, resulting in lower rates and fees that saved consumers almost $2 million. 
• Testified in an industry-wide workers compensation hearing, arguing for lower rates for Texas businesses. 
• Filed a letter of objection with the Commissioner of Insurance opposing the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)’s proposed rate increase on coastal policyholders. 
• Updated Policy Comparison Tool to be browser and mobile-friendly and added filtering options. 

• Redesigned our website with consumers in mind. Our new content is provided in an easy-to-use and plain language format. Features of the website include: an agent comment portal, shopping guides and checklists, HMO report cards, and a helpful list of health agencies and resources. 

January 1, 2019

OPIC recommends three bills to the Texas Legislature to promote transparency and provide insurance consumers with more information about their policies. 

• Require flood disclosures on residential property applications 
• Extend declarations page requirement to personal automobile policies 
• Provide consumers with new options for receiving health plan notices 

OPIC 2019 Recommendations Report 

August 14, 2018

OPIC filed an objection with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) yesterday asking the Commissioner of Insurance to disapprove the 10% rate increase submitted by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) on August 14, 2018. 

OPIC Objection Letter 

July 10, 2018

Have you been impacted by recent flooding in your area? OPIC has released a postcard with important information for those affected. Download the information in English or Spanish.

OPIC is committed to helping Texas consumers better understand insurance so that they can purchase insurance policies that best meet their needs.

As part of these efforts, OPIC is making its info easier to understand by use of plain language.

Plain language makes communications easier to understand by using less jargon, shorter sentences, bigger text, and simplified formatting.