Travelers Insurance Uses Scare Tactics in Misleading Ad; Texas Watch Calls for State Investigation

Texas Watch—July 7th, 2010

Travelers Insurance is currently running a misleading and deceptive television ad in Texas that is meant to scare homeowners into believing they could lose their home if they do not have sufficient auto insurance to cover their liability in an auto accident.  Texas Watch has requested an investigation by Attorney General Greg Abbott and Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin. Read More »

Happy Independence Day

Texas Watch—July 2nd, 2010

Like our Founding Fathers before us, the time has come for us to stand up and be heard. Tell key lawmakers to declare their independence from the insurance industry by standing up for Texas homeowners and passing real reforms that will give Texans some protection from excessive premiums and inadequate coverage. Read More »

RGV & Coastal Bend Homeowners Should Prepare for Hurricane Alex

Texas Watch—June 28th, 2010

Tropical Storm Alex is building strength in the Gulf of Mexico.  Forecasters are currently predicting the storm to make landfall in northern Mexico later this week as a Category 1 or 2 hurricane.  Tropical storm force winds could affect the Rio Grande Valley up to the Coastal Bend.

Texas Watch, a statewide non-profit consumer group active on insurance issues, encourages residents in South Texas to prepare for the possibility of having to file a catastrophic insurance claim by taking a few precautionary steps. Read More »

Sen. Eltife: TX Insurance Regulation Is “Toothless”

Texas Watch—June 11th, 2010

Texans are fed up with the way insurance companies are allowed to throw their weight around.  They can raise their rates whenever they want without any justification.  That frustration is boiling over into the Legislature.  Watch this video to hear what Sen. Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) had to say on this subject. Read More »

How to Avoid The Ostrich Effect

Alex Winslow, Texas Watch—June 2nd, 2010

What do the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and medical malpractice have in common?  The same public policy of limiting accountability is failing.  In The New York Times Magazine, economist David Leonhardt discusses  human nature’s tendency to minimize the likelihood of catastrophic incidents because we just can’t get our heads around them.  In those cases, it is up to policymakers to ensure that the law of the land forces us to prepare for these never-events by ensuring there are real consequences. Read More »

TIP: Take Time to Review Your Insurance

Sarah Godner, Texas Watch—June 1st, 2010

Hurricane season officially starts today.  As the season begins, Texans along the coast must prepare for the possibility of this year’s storms. However, this time of the year can also serve as an important reminder for inland Texans as well.  Whether you live in the hurricane zone or not, take time to review your homeowners insurance policy now to make sure you have the coverage you need before it’s too late. Read More »

The Tax Man Cometh, Insurance Industry

Texas Watch—May 25th, 2010

The insurance industry told the tax-writing House Ways & Means Committee today that the industry should be allowed to keep its special exemption from the state business tax because we have an insurance “premium tax.”  What they didn’t say is that insurance companies don’t actually pay the tax.  You and every other policyholder pays that tax – not the insurance companies.  We sent the committee a letter today setting the record straight. Read More »

Profile in Courage: Jose Herrera

Texas Watch—May 11th, 2010

Jose Herrera is an active father and a husband.  He had a good job working as a pipefitter at the Citgo refinery in Corpus Christi.  One morning, he was going about his normal routine repairing a poorly maintained pipe when it ruptured, scalding his face, neck, hands, and legs with crude oil heated to 550-degrees.  Jose was harnessed to scaffolding and could not free himself while the oil scorched over a third of his body. Read More »

BP’s Ungodly Safety Record

Texas Watch—May 6th, 2010

In the wake of the man-made tragedy currently unfolding in the Gulf, Gov. Rick Perry was asked about BP’s track record as a corporate citizen.  He said the company has “historically had a very good safety record from my perspective.”  When reminded about the tragedy in Texas City that killed 15 workers, the governor backpedaled slightly by saying BP knew it was under intense scrutiny with regard to safety. Read More »

Insurance Lobbyists Deny Sex Abuse Victims Their Day in Court

Alex Winslow, Texas Watch—May 4th, 2010

Dr. George Reardon was the chief of endocrinology for St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut for thirty years.  And he is accused of being a serial child molester.  His victims, however, are being denied their day in court by a cabal of insurance lobbyists led by the self-styled American Tort “Reform” Association. Read More »

Research & Reports
Research & Reports

The Texas Watch Foundation, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization, conducts research and public education activities on consumer law, consumer protection and civil justice issues. Read More »

Court Watch
Court Watch

Court Watch, a program of the Foundation, documents the role and impact of the Texas civil court system on Texas families and Texas public policy. Read More »