Texas Department of Insurance News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jim Hurley or Jerry Hagins (512) 463-6425                                                                                                                                

Texas Department of Insurance Bulletin

TDI to Provide Insurance Assistance At All Texas Disaster Recovery Centers

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and the Texas Governor’s Office - Division of Emergency Management (DEM) have established Texas disaster recovery centers (DRCs) to assist the more than 200,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are now located in shelters, hotels and homes all across Texas. DRCs are located at 2575 W. Bellfort in Houston, Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio and Reunion Center in Dallas.

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has deployed staff to the DRCs to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees with their insurance questions and claims, including workers’ compensation claims. TDI staff will help consumers obtain prompt responses from the insurance industry regarding their insurance claims and questions. The quicker evacuees can talk with their carriers, the sooner the evacuees may be able to get money for living expenses, file claims, or receive other assistance that will help them rebuild their lives. TDI is committing resources to provide assistance to neighboring states for several months.

Workers’ Compensation Assistance Available

If a Hurricane Katrina evacuee is an injured worker and was being paid workers' compensation benefits on the date of  Hurricane Katrina (8/29/05), TDI can help direct their workers' compensation benefit check to where they are now. Injured workers should call TDI’s Division of Workers' Compensation at 1-800-372-7713.  Division staff will forward information to the appropriate authorities of the State or insurance carrier for further handling and communication with the injured worker.

Additional Resources

To obtain electronic access to the list of insurance carriers that have set up disaster hot lines to help their policyholders, consumers may visit the TDI Hurricane Katrina Assistance webpage at: http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/consumer/katrina.html.

State Government Insurance Help Lines

Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 800-252-3439

Alabama Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 800-433-3966 / 334-241-4141 (outside Alabama)

Louisiana Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 800-259-5300

Mississippi Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line: 866-856-1982

T E X A S   D E P A R T M E N T   O F   I N S U R A N C E

Public Information Office 333 Guadalupe P.O. Box 149109 Austin, TX 78714

phone (512) 463-6425

fax (512) 463-6141

www.tdi.state.tx.us