The Office of Public Insurance Counsel (OPIC) released its Report to the 88th Texas Legislature: Recommendations Report, which advocates for a consumer's right to invoke an appraisal in auto policies. OPIC's report states, "OPIC is increasingly concerned with restrictions on appraisal in policy forms filed by top insurers.
Our courts are often overlooked and not fully understood, but the work of judges and juries allows us to live in a free, safe, and just society.
In this month's episode of "The Rundown," Executive Director Ware Wendell updates the public on a new video series about our courts, what is happening at the Texas Capitol regarding jury service, our latest project to ensure safe repairs to your vehicle, important developments on patient safety and nursing home abuse reporting, and the best resource to help your family compare medical facilities and providers. Be sure to check out the links provided below.
Leading patient safety advocates with the Informed Patient Institute and the Patient Safety Action Network recently conducted a comprehensive review of 64 state medical and osteopathic boards, evaluating how well they informed the public online.
We have a safety crisis on Texas roads. Texas has led the nation in the number of large truck crashes for years. Commercial trucks cause many more fatalities in Texas than other large states like California and Florida. Since 2009, the number of truck-related fatalities in Texas has increased an astonishing 105% at a time when our population has risen 18%. House Bill 19 undercuts safety by limiting evidence of corporate negligence in court.
On Tuesday, March 9th, our team helped over 20 families tell their stories of commercial vehicle negligence, resulting in death or injury. After the hearing on HB 19, Chairman Leach asked for additional comment on HB 19. We chose to focus our comments on safety because it is so important for saving lives. We gave the committee many actionable items that would demonstrably reduce death and destruction on Texas roads.
A bad bill passed in the 2017 Texas legislative session favors insurance companies over policyholders.
Click here to read the Wall Street Journal's coverage of filing an insurance claim, featuring Texas Watch Executive Director Ware Wendell and other leading consumer activists.
We've compiled resources from across the state to help you protect life and property during this winter storm and in the weeks ahead.
