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Texas Hurricane Preparedness Week Scheduled for May 22-28, 2011

May 10th, 11 / 0 Comments

Every year the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, Emergency Management Coordinators and officials within the local jurisdictions join forces to recognize Hurricane Preparedness Week.

According to the Old River-Winfree Community News Blog, this year’s events are set to take place from May 22 through May 28, 2011.

The week acts as an incredible opportunity to build public awareness and reminds residents living in evacuation zones to learn their evacuation routes in advance, before a storm strikes. Being fully prepared for hurricane season is especially critical for coastal Texans—since damages are still being taken care of from previous storms like Hurricane Ike—acting as a unfortunate reminder of how powerful these seasonal storms can get.

Hurricane Preparedness Week is also meant to encourage the general public to double check and re-stock their emergency supply kits. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, emergency preparedness supplies should include:

First Aid Kit; including prescription medications, eyeglasses, copies of prescriptions, hearing aids, batteries, other special medical items
Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information to process insurance claims
Credit cards and cash (in the event that the power is out, banks & ATMs may not be available)
Battery-operated radio, NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
Road maps, travel plans
3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
Manual can opener, knife, tools, fire extinguisher, flashlight, duct tape, tools, etc.
Extra keys
Blankets, pillows, extra clothing, etc.
Toilet paper, personal hygiene products
And more…

Hurricane Preparedness Week is a wonderful resource for all Texans who may have questions about how they can best prepare for hurricane season and the potential for devastating storms. If you have further questions about how you can protect yourself, your property and inevitable help safeguard your future, please do not hesitate to contact Dagley Insurance & Financial Services; we’d be happy to help!

Dagley Insurance, Educational, Flood Insurance, Government, Home Insurance, Home Inventory, Homeowner Insurance, Hurricane Karl, Hurricane Safety Tips, Resources, Texas

Texas Insurance Commissioner to Step Down

Jan 6th, 11 / 0 Comments

Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin has been with the Texas Department of Insurance for eight years now; serving as commissioner for five and a half—however; he recently announced that he will not be seeking another term as head of the TDI.

Geeslin’s term ends on February 1^st, 2011. He was originally appointed to the commissioner post by Governor Rick Perry, back in June 2005; just months before hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Texas coast.

Geeslin, who began his commitment by serving as Deputy Commissioner for Policy at the Texas Department of Insurance in 2003, found himself not only supervising one of the largest insurance markets in the nation, but also directing recovery efforts throughout the state after both hurricanes ravaged the coastline.

One of Geeslin’s most influential accomplishments includes the complete overhaul of the Texas workers compensation system, which was started in September 2005.

According to Insurance Journal, less than a year after the hurricane catastrophes, “Geeslin was then faced with placing one of Texas’ largest homeowners insurers, Vesta Texas Select, into rehabilitation and then liquidation”.

Since Geeslin took over the commissioner’s office in 2005 dramatic improvements have been made to the Texas insurance market. Insurance Journal reported that, the state’s market has “grown from $78 billion to $102 billion, one of the largest in the United States and among the top ten in the world”.

The commissioner’s job certainly is not an easy one—yet Geeslin gained the respect he deserves from insurance industry representatives during his tenure. In a letter written to the Governor, Geeslin stated that his decision to leave was based on many reasons, the most important being his family, in addition to the “simple realization that it is time for someone else to lead”.

All of us at Dagley Insurance are thankful for Geeslin’s continued dedication and commitment to the Texas insurance industry and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

For a complete look at the Insurance Journal article and a comprehensive list of the Commissioner’s historic accomplishments, click here.

Community Relations, Dagley Insurance, Government, News, Texas

Texas Department of Insurance: Top 5 Resources

Dec 28th, 10 / 0 Comments

The Texas Department of Insurance is a great resource both for the consumer and the agent. Below you will find a series of the TDI’s top 5 links that will bring you to some of their favorite, and most utilized, pages—including agency Information, general TX insurance resources, the State Fire Marshal’s office and updated TX workers compensation regulations.

Texas Depart of Insurance – Homepage: From interactive consumer help to a comprehensive look at the Department’s major news headlines, the TDI Homepage provides a well-rounded wealth of information for both the insurance agent and the consumer.
Auto Insurance Comparison: Complete your “Driver Profile” to receive sample insurance rates. This free service provided by the TDI is a great way to help ensure that Texans are doing the research necessary before settling on a TX auto insurance policy.
Homeowners Insurance Comparison: Complete your “Homeowner/Condo/Renter Profile” to receive sample insurance rates. Adjust your sample rates by entering information regarding the policy limits and requirements that you want.
Workers Compensation Forms Page: The TDI has provided a “Form Developer Kit” which allows stakeholders and TDI customers to access or create all of their own, customized insurance forms—from Agreement Forms, Carrier Forms and Employee Forms; the TDI has it all in one central place.
State Fire Marshal – Homepage: The State Fire Marshal Homepage contains a variety of helpful resources for the consumer. Anything from Arson Investigations, Firefighter News, and all of the Fire Marshal’s Announcements can be accessed here. Stay up-to-date on fire prevention while perusing the Fire Marshal’s advice and tips.

The Texas Department of Insurance has many more excellent insurance resources, so take a few minutes to access the information that it has to offer.

While you’re at it, why not check out Texas’ leading independent agency—Dagley Insurance—for great rates and superior TX insurance coverage!

Auto Insurance, Dagley Insurance, Government, Home Insurance, Homeowner Insurance, Insurance Companies, Insurance Discounts, Katy, Resources, Texas, Tips, Workers Compensation Insurance

2 Years Later: Texas Residents Still Filing Claims

Dec 23rd, 10 / 0 Comments

It’s now two years later and windstorm claims, resulting from Hurricane Ike, continue to be reported by Texas homeowners.

The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) continues to receive, on average, at least one new claim everyday from victims of the costliest storm to ever hit the Texas coastline. Other large insurance companies in the state are in agreement with the TWIA, reporting that they too are also seeing new Ike claims.

Homeowners are given two years, from the date of the storm, to file claims where they can be fully reimbursed. Any additional or new claims filed after that two year mark can only be considered at an actual cash value agreement as opposed to a full replacement or reimbursement. In some specific cases, residents can request an extension, buying them some additional time to file Texas homeowners insurance claims.

Hurricane Ike struck Galveston on Sept. 13, 2008, with 110 mile per hour wind gusts and a 16 foot storm surge. According to an article from Insurance Journal, “more than 2,000 homes and businesses on Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County were completely washed away and 75% of the structures in the city of Galveston received flood damage”.

Hurricane Dolly also struck south Texas on July 23, 2008, causing an estimated $500 million in total insured losses. The Insurance Council of Texas reported that, “with the exception of 80 pending lawsuits, TWIA has paid all of Dolly’s claims”.

Texans whose homes suffered damages from the 2008 storms have until April 1 to make repairs to their homes or they will no longer be able to obtain a windstorm policy from TWIA. “Homeowners with questions about repairs or having the proper inspections required for TWIA coverage should contact their agent or TWIA,” said Mark Hanna, a spokesman for the Insurance Council of Texas.

TWIA, which only provides windstorm coverage in counties that lie along the Gulf of Mexico, faces losses that may reach $2.3 billion. The number of TWIA claims from Hurricane Ike has risen to 92,800 resulting in 4,800 lawsuits having been filed—more than 2,500 of the lawsuits have since been settled.

In Texas, the total number of insurance claims from Hurricane Ike exceeded a whopping 700,000.

Dagley Insurance, Flood Insurance, Government, Home Insurance, Homeowner Insurance, Hurricane Safety Tips, Insurance Companies, News

Holiday Travel? – Beware of Bedbugs

Dec 20th, 10 / 0 Comments

For many people the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season involves traveling to see family and friends, taking flights, staying in hotels and potentially being exposed to bedbugs. There has been a significant increase in the reported cases bedbugs in the US.

In fact, the EPA finds the situation serious enough to warrant a summit. Yes a bed bug summit. In the statement below released by the EPA on December 08 2010 announces that a summit will take place in February.

WASHINGTON – To help find solutions to the nation’s bed bug problem, the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup is convening a second national summit set for February 1-2, 2011, in Washington, D.C. The summit is open to the public and will focus on ways the federal government and others can continue to work together on management and control of these pests.

The first federal bed bug summit was held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in April 2009. Since then, EPA has helped organize the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup, which consists of EPA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, and National Institutes of Health.

The summit’s agenda will feature discussions on progress since the last summit from various perspectives, including federal, state, and local governments; research; housing industry; and pest management industry. The agenda also includes identifying knowledge gaps and barriers to effective community-wide bed bug control, proposals for next steps in addressing knowledge gaps and eliminating barriers, and developing a framework for addressing the highest priority needs.

As a reminder, there are steps people can take to prevent bed bugs:

· Remove clutter where bed bugs can hide
· Seal cracks and crevices
· Vacuum rugs and upholstered furniture thoroughly and frequently, as well as vacuuming under beds (take the vacuum bag outside immediately and dispose in a sealed trash bag)
· Wash and dry clothing and bed sheets at high temperatures (heat can kill bed bugs)
· Be alert and monitor for bed bugs so they can be treated before a major infestation occurs
· Before using any pesticide product, READ THE LABEL FIRST, then follow the directions
· Check the product label to make sure it is identified for use on bed bugs. If bed bugs are not listed on the label, the pesticide has not been tested for bed bugs and it may not be effective

Before the summit, the federal workgroup will meet with researchers to evaluate and develop a research agenda related to bed bugs. The summit will be held at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center at 3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. The agenda and information on attending the meeting via webinar will be available on EPA’s website.

It is better to be prepared and to be proactive rather than to be caught by surprise, as uncomfortable of a prospect this may be. Remember these 3 rules when staying in a hotel.

Inspect the mattress. If you see brown or red spots you should request another room.
Hang clothes and place luggage on rack and NOT on the floor or near the bed.
Wash all clothes after your trip in very hot water.

From all of us at Dagley Insurance and Financial Services we wish you a Merry Christmas and a bug free New Year.

Community Relations, Dagley Insurance, Educational, Government, Home Insurance, Nationwide, News

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Archive for the ‘Government’ Category

Texas Hurricane Preparedness Week Scheduled for May 22-28, 2011

Texas Insurance Commissioner to Step Down

Texas Department of Insurance: Top 5 Resources

2 Years Later: Texas Residents Still Filing Claims

Holiday Travel? – Beware of Bedbugs

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