Tropical Storm Edouard Resource Page
Current Conditions | Contact TDI | Additional Disaster Resources | FAQs | Consumer Bill of Rights | Helpful Publications | Prevent Insurance Fraud | Flood-Damaged Vehicle Alert | Contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General | File an Insurance Complaint | Commissioners' Bulletins
Tropical Storm Edouard is currently in the Gulf of Mexico with possible landfall in Texas as a strong tropical storm or Category 1 hurricane early Tuesday morning. Residents along the Texas Coast are encouraged to gather and review their insurance policies in case they need to make a claim after the storm. Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration in response to the imminent threat posed by Tropical Storm Edouard to Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Calhoun, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Walker and Wharton counties. Governor Perry's press release | Disaster Proclamation
Current Conditions
Weather
National Hurricane Center (National Weather Service)
Weather Satellite - Gulf of Mexico
NWS Local Weather Information
Road Closures
To view current information about road closures and other road information, call the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or visit its website
1-800-452-9292 (Texas Travel Information Center)
www.txdot.gov/travel/road_conditions2.htm
Health and Safety
To view Department of State Health Services information, visit
Contact TDI
For information or assistance with an insurance related complaint or problem, call TDI's Consumer Help Line
1-800-252-3439
Additional Disaster Resources
- Texas Department of Insurance
Disaster Preparedness Resource Pages: Hurricane Page
Wind and Hail Insurance Resource Page
Frequently Asked Disaster Assistance Questions
Hurricane/Tornado Recovery Efforts and Clean-Up Hazards (PDF)
Preparing for a Hurricane FactSheet (PDF)
Tree Trimming Safety Tips for Hurricane/Tornado (PDF) - National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The NFIP encourages policyholders who experienced flood damage to file their claim through the agent who issued their flood insurance policy. Consumers interested in purchasing flood insurance should ask their agent about such coverage. For more information about flood insurance, call NFIP or visit its website1-888-FLOOD 29 (356-6329)
www.floodsmart.gov - Contact Flood Insurance Companies in Texas
- Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)
Important Notice: When reporting windstorm claims, some insureds may not be aware that coverage for wind may be provided separately provided under a TWIA policy. Companies that do not provide windstorm coverage under their property policies should advise insureds who make windstorm claims to contact their agent to determine if a TWIA policy is in effect. For more information about windstorm insurance, call TWIA or visit its website1-800-788-8247
To view the TWIA claim form (First Notice of Loss) and instructions for filing a claim, please visit
www.twia.orgwww.twia.org/Agents/FileAClaim.aspx
Immediate Disaster Assistance from the American Red Cross
If you have immediate emergency needs for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, contact one of the local offices of the American Red Cross. You can visit a local Red Cross office or call the toll-free number
1-800-RED CROSS
www.redcross.org
FAQs
Q: What coverage do I have for my house and personal property under my Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) policy?
A: Generally, the TWIA Dwelling Policy provides coverage for direct physical loss to your dwelling, other structures such as detached garages, and personal property, including clothing. The amount of insurance for other structures is included in the limit of insurance for the insured dwelling and will not exceed 10% of that limit unless you have specifically insured other structures on the Dwelling Policy. You should contact your agent and review your policy and any applicable endorsements for specific coverages.
Consumer Bills of Rights
Helpful Publications
The following publications will help you prepare for a disaster and become more knowledgeable about insurance issues:
General
- Disaster Insurance Tip Card (PDF)
- Storm Warnings / Alerta contras las tormentas
- Helping You With Your Insurance Complaint / Ayudándolo con su Queja de Seguros
- Insurance Fraud
- Business Interruption Coverage (Word) (PDF)
Windstorm
- Repairs After a Storm (PDF)
- No Inspection Required (PDF)
- Repairing My Exterior Siding After a Storm (PDF)
- Repairing My Garage Door After a Storm (PDF)
- Repairing My Roof After a Storm (PDF)
- Repairing My Windows and Doors After a Storm (PDF)
Homeowners
- Homeowners Insurance Price Comparisons / Comparación del Precio del Seguro del los Dueños de Casa
- Homeowners Insurance / Seguros para Propietarios de Vivienda Un guía para los consumidores en Texas
- Home Inventory Checklist (PDF) / Lista de inventario de casa (PDF)
- Handling Water-Damage and Mold Claims
- Health Alert: Carbon Monoxide Warning! (PDF)
Auto
Prevent Insurance Fraud
Consumer Alert: Beware of Disaster-Related Fraud (PDF)
Insurance Fraud Toll-Free Hotline - 1-888-327-8818
Online Fraud Reporting: Secure Transmission, Fast, Comprehensive, Easy Data Entry
Flood-Damaged Vehicle Alert
Consumer Alert: Car Buyers Urged to Beware of Flood-damaged Vehicles (PDF)
Contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General
Call the toll-free complaint line or file a complaint to report fraudulent business practices or price gouging.
1-800-252-8011
www.oag.state.tx.us/
File an Insurance Complaint
Read about TDI's consumer complaints process in the Helping You With Your Insurance Complaint publication. You may also e-mail, mail, or fax your complaint along with copies of your supporting documents to
Texas Department of Insurance
Consumer Protection Program (MC 111-1A)
P.O. Box 149091
Austin, TX 78714-9091
Fax: 512-475-1771
E-mail: ConsumerProtection@tdi.state.tx.us
Insurance Complaint Forms
- English Online Form
- Easy Print Form RTF Format | PDF Format
Commissioners' Bulletins
- Public Insurance Adjusters | PDF (August 8, 2008)
- Hurricane Dolly and Tropical Storm Edouard Losses | PDF (August 8, 2008)
For more information contact:
Last updated: 04/07/2010
