Skip to Content Area

Commissioner’s Bulletin # B-0050-05

September 21, 2005

TO: ALL INSURERS LICENSED TO WRITE LIFE AND ACCIDENT AND HEALTH INSURANCE, ALL HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, ALL LICENSED AGENTS, ALL THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATORS AND ALL MEWAS LICENSED IN TEXAS; AND ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES, CORPORATIONS, EXCHANGES, MUTUALS, RECIPROCALS, ASSOCIATIONS, LLOYDS, OR OTHER INSURERS WRITING PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND TO AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PUBLIC GENERALLY

RE: HURRICANE RITA - AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT; SUSPENSION OF PREMIUM PAYMENTS FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS OR EVACUEES.

On September 20, 2005, Governor Rick Perry issued a proclamation declaring a disaster due to the effects of Hurricane Rita, certifying that Hurricane Rita poses a threat of imminent disaster along the Texas Coast beginning September 20, 2005, and directing that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.015 of the Texas Government Code be implemented to meet that threat. The proclamation also states that, as provided in Section 418.016 of the Texas Government Code, all rules and regulations that may inhibit or prevent prompt response to this threat are suspended for the duration of the incident.

With the potential for devastation resulting from Hurricane Rita and the possible relocation of hurricane victims and other personal hardships sustained by residents of the Gulf Coast, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) encourages carriers to use all available means to provide prompt and immediate relief to those residents and policyholders, including but not limited to the suspension of premium payments to allow continuing insurance coverage. In conjunction with this effort and in accord with the Governor's proclamation, TDI will work with carriers to minimize the regulatory effects of a carrier's suspension of premium payments, specifically in regard to financial review requirements.

Questions regarding this bulletin may be directed to Betty Patterson, Senior Associate Commissioner, Financial Division at 512-322-5040.

Mike Geeslin

Commissioner of Insurance






Remember: TDI's Internet resources are to be used for legitimate state purposes. Occasional personal use is permitted so long as such use is incidental, is brief, does not result in additional cost to TDI or the state and does not interfere with the performance of the employee's job duties. Under no circumstances may an employee use TDI's Internet resources to access sexual, offensive, profane or otherwise inappropriate information. By using TDI computers to access Internet resources, TDI employees are consenting to the monitoring of their use of Internet resources. TDI employees do not have a privacy interest or an expectation of privacy in the use of TDI computers to access Internet resources. Refer to the TDI Operations Manual for additional information.